Federal Government announces $19.3 million PLACE initiative to tackle disadvantage

The Federal Government will co-invest $19.3 million over five years to establish Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE), an initiative which aims to develop a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the needs and aspirations of local communities and addressing entrenched disadvantage.

$38.62 million over five years has been committed for PLACE, with the Government, and the philanthropic partners collectively, providing $19.31 million each.

The Government funding will be matched by the five philanthropy partners: Minderoo Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, the Bryan Foundation and the Dusseldorp Forum, allowing PLACE to act as a ‘one-stop shop’ to identify, support and enhance place-based programs in areas like the early years, youth development, health, education, employment and youth justice.

“Place-based approaches understand that complex social problems cannot be solved through isolated services alone,” Paul Ramsay Foundation CEO Professor Kristy Muir said.

“They also listen to community, work together, share, and learn from each other to address the conditions that help ensure people and places have what they need to thrive. We are excited to partner with government on supporting this important initiative.”

PLACE will assist a diverse range of communities across Australia, particularly those experiencing entrenched socio-economic challenges. The organisation will focus on groups including:

• Children and families, particularly through early years development initiatives aimed at improving childhood outcomes and providing support to families in need.

• Unemployed individuals or those seeking better employment opportunities, with PLACE working to enhance employment support and pathways to stable, meaningful work.

• First Nations communities, who will receive dedicated focus in each of these areas.

The Connected Beginnings program is an existing example of a place based initiative which has been progressively scaled up.

Connected Beginnings aims to increase Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children’s and families’ engagement with health and early childhood education and care. It improves access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services so children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive at school by the age of five. The Government committed $81.8 million to expand the program to 50 sites nationally by 2025.

“The need for PLACE emerged from community, which called out the fragmented nature and widespread gaps in local capability of place-based work and the lack of shared learning and best practice solutions to make progress locally,” Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said.

“I’m excited to see what comes out of PLACE to help those communities and Australians experiencing disadvantage that need it most to thrive.” 

Built on the premise of listening to and empowering local leaders, PLACE will work with communities and design services in a way that meets their bespoke needs, in recognition of the fact that there are “disadvantaged communities right around Australia where a national approach on its own will never be enough.”

PLACE will focus on strengthening the capacity of communities to design and deliver these programs, promote evidence sharing, and improve data governance across place-based initiatives.

“This is a passion of ours because too many kids in communities like mine are trapped in the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage,” Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

“The best way to solve issues communities face is by listening to them, developing solutions led by local people. Place-based support has and can have a profound impact, and now more Australian communities will benefit from these kinds of initiatives.”

The Inaugural Board will first be established by the end of 2024, and while the location of PLACE is yet to be determined, it will have national reach. 

PLACE Interim CEO Luke Craven said governments needed to share decision-making with local communities and other stakeholders to create lasting change on complex issues.

“We can see the power of place-based approaches from the inner-city and suburbs to regional centres and remote communities. Today’s announcement will boost the great work already happening in this sector and ensure local communities get more support to collectively address the issues that matter most to them.”

More information on PLACE can be found on the Department of Social Services website.