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  • Closing the Gap is a strategy developed by Australian governments that aims to improve the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  • The 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the Agreement) was developed in partnership between the National Federation Reform Council (NFRC) (representing Australian governments) and the Coalition of Peaks (representing around fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled peak organisations and members). It’s a first of its kind.

    The Agreement, outlines four priority reforms and 17 socioeconomic targets, and was signed in July 2020.

  • The Closing the Gap Dashboard provides the most recent data on progress towards the targets.

    The Implementation Tracker shows the progress that each Party has made towards delivering on their commitments in the Agreement.

  • In 2023 the Productivity Commission released a report into its review of the Closing the Gap Agreement. The report is highly critical of Australian governments and found that one of the key barriers to change is the power imbalance that exists in “government systems, policies and ways of working”.

Quote in teal text with a brown oval highlight around the words "fundamental changes" stating, "fundamental changes are required to deliver on the Agreement... business-as-usual must be a thing of the past".
Text paragraph with orange header that reads 'The Productivity Commission’s report states that', on a teal background, discussing funding for Aboriginal organizations.
Learn more
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We are a First Nations’ community development and research organisation working with First Nations’ communities right around Australia. Our work is based on the principle of self-determination. Communities invite us to create partnerships with them so that they can achieve great things for their communities.

We undertake social and economic development, and research projects in partnership with First Nations’ communities, businesses and people. Communities have control; they name the priorities and choose the design, assets, capabilities and approach to achieve their vision. We provide tailored support through community partners, skilled staff, trained volunteers, key supporters and service providers.

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A group of five people standing outdoors on dirt ground in front of a building, with a clear blue sky and a leafless tree behind them. They are smiling and dressed in casual outdoor clothing.
Text on a white background stating 'Community First Development is delivering on Priority Reform 2 - building the Aboriginal Community Controlled and led sector'.

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap has been built around four Priority Reforms. Priority Reform 2 is ‘Building the community-controlled sector’ with the goal to have a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled and led sector across Australia.  

The Agreement requires this priority to be measured against a target to increase the amount of government funding for First Nations programs and services going through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled and led organisations.

Community First Development is directly contributing to this priority through sustained capacity building and investment activities with First Nations community organisations across Australia. 

Over the past five years, the strongest demand from communities have been governance and economic activities. In 2023 we explored a new data set to understand more about how these activities are contributing to Priority Reform 2 – building the Aboriginal community controlled and led sector.  

Text graphic titled 'Total projects by category – building the Aboriginal community controlled and led sector (2019-23)' on a teal background.
Bar chart titled 'Total Projects by Category: Four-Year Comparison (2019-23)' displaying project counts across categories like Websites, Branding & Communication Campaigns, Governance Activities, Finance Activities, Revenue Expansion/ diversification, and Other, with color-coded legend for years 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.
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Title slide with the heading 'What is our Story of Change?' and introductory paragraph describing development of a framework based on three levels of change.
Diagram illustrating the story of change for community development, with layers labeled inner, middle, and outer and connected concepts such as data sovereignty, stronger education, and community ownership.
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A detailed infographic table with a yellow header titled 'This table provides examples of synergies between the respective outcome areas.' The table lists various outcome areas with corresponding icons, numbered from 1 to 17, and describes differences in social, health, education, economic, cultural, and governance aspects, emphasizing community strengthening, education, health, culture, and participation.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know what is best for their communities.  

At Community First Development, we prioritise self-determination in all we do. Communities are the experts, they own, lead and control their projects.  

When you donate to Community First Development you are funding community-led projects nationally that are delivering on Closing the Gap outcomes, and Priority Reform 2. 

We could really use your support to further this work!   

DONATE
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If you are interested in learning more about our approach, and how we are delivering on Closing the Gap you can contact us at the details below.

E: info@communityfirstdevelopment.org.au
P: 1800 819 542

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