Building Strong Regional Communities

After 20 years of service in regional communities our skills, techniques and networks support sustainable change in the regions

Services

Evolve Network’s team have extensive experience in regional communities. Our services include:

Community engagement and consultation

We understand distance can be an enormous challenge for our regional clients and have developed a methodology to enable participation which is inclusive of digital literacy, cultural safety and literacy and numeracy skill levels. Having worked in regional communities for over two decades we know that communities often feel over-consulted and may not want to engage as a result. Our engagement methodologies ensure even the most difficult to reach communities are enabled to participate.

Program mentoring and support

There are many benefits to community based service delivery. Not only can it save a lot of groundwork to get programs established, it also has the opportunity to build important capacity within regional, rural and remote communities. Sometimes small not for profit entities need just a little more support to deliver programs to specification and what better way to learn than ‘on the job’. We work with funding bodies to understand the desired outcomes and outputs and then the not for profit to translate this into an achievable implementation plan. We can then mentor delivery teams to grow their skill sets as they deliver the desired program.

Community strategic planning

Evolve Network works with government and communities to deliver community strategic plans which cover the social, economic, environmental and cultural goals of the community. Our plans are always action oriented and aligned to the goals of the community. In developing a community strategic plan we thoroughly consult with the community examining what really matters according to the community, what has worked in the past and desires for the future; we look at the current macro and micro economic environment and examine and pressing environmental and community matters. Our plans prepare communities for both short and longer term actions.

Bespoke projects

Each year we deliver a range of bespoke projects to address areas of interest. In 2023 this was a conference designed to support regionally based Social Impact Practitioners. The conference is called Social Impact in the Regions and will be held in Coffs Harbour (NSW Australia) 6-8 September. Find out more here. Social Impact in the Regions will run for the following 10 years.

About Evolve Network

Authentic community engagement

Our team will assist your community to identify your strengths, to create a map for the future, to understand your goals and to activate your community. Our process is about mentoring and teaching, while we love doing it’s much better you do that so you can do it again and again. Through the years we’ve delivered community and corporate festivals, mentoring and coaching programs, training and workshops, strategic and business planning and lots and lots of facilitation. But all of this doing has taught us one very important thing. If the community we are working on isn’t on board – there’s truly no point starting. Our key principles are authentic community engagement, and leaving a lasting legacy via skill sharing.

Communities already know the solutions to their greatest problems. Often what is needed is someone who can gently guide a conversation about what these solutions are and how they should be implemented.

Kerry Grace

Impact Facilitator

Why you should work with Evolve Network

Proven experience

Evolve Network has worked in regional Australia for 20 years. Our strengths include:
A thought leader

Tried and tested approaches and theories are often successful, but Kerry isn't afraid to push boundaries and pioneer new and unique ways in which to achieve the goals of the community she is working in. Kerry is called upon by all levels of government to develop strategic pathways forward for regional communities.

Ability to build trusted relationships

Through years of working in regional communities Kerry is known to build trusted relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, thus encouraging honest and constructive dialogue between all involved. Kerry held a senior leadership position as the Director of Regional Development for Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast and Norfolk Island 2016-2023.

A deep understanding of regional Australia

Kerry’s family have lived in the regions for seven generations. Having grown up in a regional community herself and spending most of her adult life in regional Australia, Kerry understands the challenges that communities and corporates face when looking to work together. There is simply no substitute for lived experience.

A flexible approach to a variety of entities

Throughout her career, Kerry has worked with community leaders, small businesses, large corporations and not for profit organisations. Kerry has worked in a senior role in vocational education to encourage investment in programs for Indigenous communities. She is often called upon to support capacity development in Aboriginal Corporations. She understands the intricacies of the various stakeholders in any situation and is able to speak a language that everyone understands.

Connect

Would you like to work with Kerry?

If you would like to work with Kerry, require more information or simply wish to touch base and connect, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Kerry is always looking to broaden her network as well as answer questions that potential clients might have.

Reviews

What clients say

Blog

The latest from Kerry

Hi there, thanks so much for expressing interest to offer an online course on the Community Practitioner Academy site.  A few points following to give you some more clarity about the offer and if you have questions, or want to …

So. You want to deliver a message into a regional community but you’re not sure where to start. I’ll be straight with you, unless you have a gazillion dollars to spend on reaching your regional audience your best methodology will …

With much government funding now honing in on regional Australia it’s no wonder companies are spreading their geographic wings embracing the idea of ‘going bush’ to deliver their many and varied services, or at least saying they do across the …

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