What is Community Economic Development?
Many Rivers Community Economic Development (CED) provides support to regional and remote Indigenous communities that want to establish or grow economic activity on their land. Together we step through what is required for a community to strengthen it’s understanding, planning, leadership, and organisation to actively participate in the Australian economy and be local leaders in the community’s future direction and prosperity.
How does it work?
Many Rivers CED program works closely with the elected board and management of a community organisation that represents the interests and welfare of the community. Community organisations can be in the form of Aboriginal Corporations, Land Councils, Land Trusts and other incorporated bodies.
Support is provided through CED Managers who work with a community for an average of 5 years and work with the community regularly and consistently. Typically this will mean that the CED Managers will spend 2-4 days a month in the community with regular communication in-between. The CED Managers works with the community to understand strengths, weaknesses, challenges, goals and the context that the community experiences.
Every community has its own history, culture, strengths, challenges and goals. Therefore, in order to be relevant to each community, the CED program is not a rigid process but a framework that incorporates Many Rivers’ principles of sustainable economic development. These being;
- Trusted relationships,
- Responsible, recognised and confident governance and management,
- An operating platform that works and is resourced,
- Viable economic opportunity, including businesses and employment,
- Decision makers that are informed and participating,
- Good planning that is sustainable and achievable, and;
- Practical application of plans undertaken with the community not for the community.
The intention of the program is for each community to become increasingly capable of independently governing and managing its chosen goals, plans, community and economic activities. Over time we intend for the community to no longer need extensive support from Many Rivers to continue pursuing their economic goals. To achieve this, CED works within a proven framework that builds the capabilities and capacities necessary for long-term and sustainable economic management.
Meet the Toomelah Local Aboriginal Land Council
Toomelah Local Aboriginal Land Council (TLALC) represents the interests and aspirations of the Gomeroi people. They have called Toomelah and Boggabilla home for a very long time. Located in Northern NSW on the QLD border, Toomelah was established as a mission reserve in 1938 and TLALC took ownership of the reserve in 1984. Hear from the community as they share their experience of working with Many Rivers.
Meet our Head of Community Economic Development
Bridget became involved with Many Rivers in 2009. Since 2015 she has been leading the Many Rivers’ Community Economic Development (CED) Program with Indigenous communities in regional and remote Australia. Listen to this interview with Bridget and her experience with Many Rivers’ CED Program.
Begin your journey with Many Rivers
We support the future you see for your land and your community. It is your choice to work with us. Please visit this link to see if we are right for your Community.
We’re ready when you are.
