The Indigenous Community Governance Research Project
The Indigenous Community Governance Research Project is no longer running, however here you can find information and research findings from the project.
A Collaborative Action Research Project by the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research and Reconciliation Australia.
The community governance project, a partnership between the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) and Reconciliation Australia, undertook research on Indigenous community governance with participating Indigenous communities, regional Indigenous organisations, and leaders across Australia.
The Project explored:
- The current state of community governance on the ground, including its cultural, social, economic, legal, policy, service delivery, and historical contexts
- The different models of governance that have been established and are emerging in communities, and the governance processes, institutions, structures, powers and capacities involved
- The factors influencing culturally legitimate governance arrangements in Indigenous communities
- The shortfalls in community governance skills and capacities, as well as the governance strengths, and
- The wider 'governance environments' and policy networks within which community governance operates, including the role and impacts of State, Territory and Federal Government policy and service delivery on the effectiveness of community governance.
Case study research was undertaken at 13 varied sites across Australia, in collaboration with participating communities and organisations. The Project aimed to make research 'count' by using a participatory community-based approach, and by directly informing the work of Indigenous organisations, leaders and government agencies in their practical efforts to build better governance.
The Project depended on guidance from an Advisory Committee with a significant Indigenous membership, which comprised experts from across Australia as well as international researchers from the United States and Canada.
Research findings from the Project are available in a wide range of accessible formats to the participating Indigenous community governing bodies and leaders, and to project sponsors. In addition, the Project publishes papers, reports, and a newsletter, and presents its research at workshops and conferences.
Read the Year Two Research Findings.
Read Reconciliation Australia's Summary of the Year One Preliminary Research Findings.
Read the Year One Preliminary Research Report.
Read Reconciliation Australia's Summary of the Year Two Research Findings.
Read the latest Community Governance bulletin.
The Indigenous Community Governance Project is supported under the Australian Research Council, the Northern Territory and West Australian governments, and the Australian Government through the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
For enquiries please contact Jessica Jeeves at Reconciliation Australia.
Research material is available to for viewing.
