Building Strong Regional Communities
Celebrating 20 years of service in rural and regional Australian communities
Services
Evolve Network’s team have extensive experience in rural and regional communities
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
We advocate for sustainable social impact in regional communities and deliver a range of activities to support community led change.
National conference Social Impact in the Regions was founded by Evolve Network in 2023.
We have delivered the conference in Coffs Harbour, 2023 and Kempsey, 2024.
We are currently seeking a host community for our 2025 event which will be held 3-5 September.
Regional innovation
If our current methodologies were going to shift regional problems they would have worked some time ago. In 2023 Evolve Network partnered with Dr. Chad Renando to create a new place-based community engagement and consultation program, Ready Communities. The objective of this project is to drive and support deep impact and transformational change, as well as build and enhance foundations for social and economic prosperity.
Ready Communities also prepares the Social Impact in the Regions host community for the year’s event.
Please take a moment to click on the logos alongside to visit each of these projects to find out more about them and support them in any way that you can.
About Evolve Network
Authentic regional 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
Community innovation
Tried and tested approaches and theories are often successful, however the Evolve Network team aren't afraid to push boundaries and pioneer new and unique ways in which to achieve the goals of the community they represent. Current work to note includes the Social Impact in the Regions Conference and Ready Communities program.
Trusted networks
Through years of working in regional communities the Evolve Network team have built trusted relationships across community, not for profits, industry and government. We encourage honest and constructive dialogue between all involved.
A deep understanding of regional Australia
Evolve Network's team live and work in regional Australia and have sound understanding of the challenges that communities face. There is simply no substitute for lived experience.
Social Impact in the Regions
Evolve Network's flagship event, Social Impact in the Regions is held in the first week of September each year. In 2025 the conference will run between 3-5 September, venue TBC. www.socialimpactintheregions.com.au
Connect
Would you like to work with Evolve Network?
If you would like to work with Evolve Network, require more information or simply wish to touch base and connect, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are always looking to broaden our network as well as answer questions that potential clients might have.
Reviews
What clients say
Michele Donovan
Personally and Professionally I have had a strong, sincere working relationship with Kerry over many years – Kerry does become invested in her projects, she is a great listener and advocate. She is a great people person, loves being engaged at the Grassroots level to gain a better understanding of the real issues, and develop with and alongside community the best way forward.
Tracy Singleton
Kerry’s strengths includes: her ability to produce high quality products within short time frames; work with a strategic focus i.e. community development with a strong focus on social enterprise; ability to work with diverse communities with honesty and integrity; and deliver project outcomes in a timely manner.
Kellon Beard
I have known Kerry since she took on the role as CEO of Regional Development Australia on the Mid North Coast in 2016. What has impressed me about Kerry is her dedication and commitment to the role in what have been some very tough times. Kerry has always shown great leadership and creative problem-solving approaches. Kerry has shown great leadership and has inspired those around her and dedication to see things through.
Heather Cavanagh
Kerry Grace is a passionate, effective advocate for economic development and sustainability in regional Australia. She utilises outstanding leadership and strong negotiating skills to achieve optimum outcomes, even where (at an early stage) this may simply be achieving a more widespread awareness and understanding of the issues and, of course, the associated opportunities!
Blog
The latest from Evolve Network
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 …
No matter what anyone tells you there is only one sure fire way to build trust in any regional community and that’s to keep showing up. Every regional community has seen its fair share of Johnny-come-lately’s who appear from out …
I’ve had too many conversations with women who tell me they felt they became invisible at 50. Certainly, there is a lot of truth to this idea, it does happen. But I also believe there is an incredibly powerful flip …