Listening is at the heart of it | How to listen to your community to ensure success.
Within the Southland community, two remarkable organisations have gone the distance to understand the true lived experiences of the people in their communities to drive community-led development in their area. Their stories are great examples in the art of listening—truly listening—to the voices of their community. This article delves into their approach, using their experiences and strategies as a guide for anyone eager to explore community-led development through a lens focused sharply on listening.
Te Rourou, the philanthropic branch of One NZ, commits to providing the youth of Aotearoa with the opportunities they rightly deserve. Concentrating on the Rangatahi of Southland, they've embarked on a mission not just to hear but to deeply understand the dreams and hurdles faced by these young individuals. Stacy from Te Rourou emphasised the organisation's strategic direction to focus on place-based impact within Southland, in hopes that the lessons and framework here can be replicated in other parts of New Zealand. Their methodology, rooted in participatory funding, means that funding is given from Te Rourou to support projects and initiatives that build on their mission of an equitable Aotearoa for our Rangatahi. Projects are crafted with, and not just for, the community. Stacy stated that, in true community-led development, it needed to be 'designed with the community'.
South Alive stands as a testament to the power of community-led regeneration in South Invercargill. Driven by the aspirations and energy of local residents, this grassroots organisation has transformed the area through a multitude of projects ranging from environmental enhancements to housing improvements. Central to its approach is the empowerment of community members, who lead the charge through volunteer action teams, ensuring that projects are not only reflective of the community's needs but also fuelled by its passion. Through a combination of annual surveys, public meetings and informal interactions, South Alive ensures a broad and inclusive platform for community voices to be heard.
"From the beginning, it has been driven by what the community has identified that they want to happen”.
As Te Rourou and South Alive continue to sculpt the futures of their respective communities, they offer invaluable insights into the power of listening, collaboration, and shared objectives. Their endeavours serve to remind us of the transformative potential that arises from trusting, giving the community a voice, and the opportunities that emerge when we commit to listen deeply and respond with action.
Here are some key things these two organisations do to listen to their communities:
Conduct One-on-One Interviews with Youth: To gather deep insights into the lived experiences of young people in the Southland community, particularly focusing on those who have experienced disadvantages.
Implemented Annual Surveys: Utilised to capture a broad range of community opinions, preferences, and suggestions for future directions. Especially important for those who feel they cannot physically voice their opinions in person.
Organised Public Meetings: Providing a platform for open dialogue, allowing community members to voice their concerns, aspirations, and ideas in a public forum.
Holding Informal Conversations: These are casual and informal discussions that happen at events, and community spaces that can be used to understand people's opinions, experiences, and ideas. A more relaxed way to gather feedback and ideas.
Formed Volunteer Action Teams: Enable community members to come together and communicate about issues and projects they are passionate about.
Engage with Local Māori: Specifically focused on incorporating the perspectives and aspirations through direct engagement with Manawhenua and local iwi.
Targeted Research: For example, Te Rourou partnered with an academic institution to conduct research that provided evidence-based insights into community needs and aspirations.
Participatory Funding Model: Meaning that the community who is benefiting from the funding is also directly involved with the project and any funding decisions.
Feedback Loops: Used to continuously gather and integrate community feedback into ongoing and future projects for refinement and adjustment. This can be done through informal conversations or more formal workshops/meetups.
Shared Success Stories: Amplified the impact of community contributions by sharing and celebrating success stories, encouraging further community engagement and participation.
