Community Development & Capacity Building

We are trusted advisors aiming to improve practices that support collective decision making to support sustainable, connected + equitable cities. We highly value the voices and experiences of everyone in each community. Our work aims to share skills and knowledge as well as build confidence so anyone can be advocates for themselves and their community to articulate their position, be active participants, be a part of decision making and clearly ask for what they need.

Oxford Street Rainbow Crossing [image City of Sydney]

LGBTIQA+ Business ‘Pride’ Charter

  • Client: City of Sydney

  • Completed: 2022

  • Services: Community Development, Policy, Engagement, and Research

TPS, in partnership with Spark & Co. designed and delivered a collaborative engagement approach with a LGBTQIA+ and business community working group, and co-authored the Oxford Street Precinct Pride Business Charter - a first in Australia. 

At the heart of our approach was establishing a working group that were the co-authors of the Pride Charter. The working group represented a diversity of businesses and LGBTIQA+ voices and importantly, members of the LGBTIQA+ community that are typically under-represented. 

The intersectionality of the Oxford Street Precinct community represented in this group contributes to how the contemporary LGBTIQA+ experience is defined. 

The result was a clear and considered charter that weaved the multi-layers of the the Oxford Street community’s stories and personality, provides a succinct statement of expectation and implementation approach that can have maximum impact without overburdening business and the community. 

source: The City of Canada Bay

Community Leadership Training

  • Client: City of Canada Bay

  • Completed: February 2023

  • Services: Community Development, Training, Facilitation, and Research.

TPS was engaged to design and deliver a community leadership program - Building Social Cohesion. The program upskilled and nurtured emerging community leaders from across the City of Canada Bay with support from Council staff that were mentors to participants. 

This 10-week program was a partnership between Council, the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and The Burdekin Association, which was funded through the Department of Premier and Cabinet Social Cohesion Grant.

The program focused on developing the skills and abilities of participants in advocacy, community engagement, leadership and civic participation. It was designed to develop the knowledge and thinking of participants, while expanding their professional networks and creating community connections. Throughout the program, participants also worked on developing individual community development program ideas to deliver. 

CBCity Social Charter Childrens session [Anthea Hewett Photography]

CB City Social Justice Charter

  • Client: City of Canterbury Bankstown Council

  • Completed: December 2024

  • Services: Community Development, Policy, Engagement, and Research

The Social Justice Charter was co-authored by TPS with the Social Charter working group, who are local residents and represent the diversity of this community. The engagement was led by Spark & Co, and conducted discussions with over 285 community members.

The Charter is a commitment by the City of Bankstown-Canterbury and its community to promote equity ,inclusion, fairness and empowerment. At its heart of the Charter is the commitment and belief that everyone should have the same opportunities to succeed.

The Charter creates a clear framework for Council and the community to collectively address local social issues and ensure that everyone feels like they belong. It guides Council and the community in promoting social justice, connecting with others from diverse backgrounds and experiences, addressing inequalities, ensuring equitable access for everyone and advocating for social change.