ACIL Allen: Community First Development is a proven, trusted and essential partner

This year, ACIL Allen once again independently reviewed our work, and the message was clear: our community-led development work is delivering real social and economic change across the country.

• This marks the second external assessment of Community First Development, and once again the findings confirm the strength and effectiveness of our approach, and the leadership of the communities we stand beside.
  
  What the report found
  
  Community First Development is a proven, trusted and essential partner.

• Community First Development delivers real and enduring value for communities and the Australian economy.

• Supporting the future of Community First Development is an investment in a more equitable Australia.

• Every dollar invested returns $3.52 in measurable benefits.

But it’s the why behind these findings that matter most.

When community leads the way, you see more than “impact”. You see progress. You see confidence growing. You see culture strengthening. You see young people stepping into their future with pride and purpose.

This year’s ACIL Allen review doesn’t just say things are improving, it shows how lives, systems and futures are shifting because communities are in the driver’s seat.

This report is complemented by our Annual Report, which provides extensive details from our activities this past year, in research and community development. It shows how what we do is actually impacting lives. You can dive into it here: 2024-25. Annual Report.