Bridget Williams

Day 11 of 30 Days of Reflections on Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development. I've been reflecting on how we can better support rural entrepreneurs. What if we created a dedicated pool of funds for rural business owners in the form of grants? These grants could be accessed by those who meet specific criteria, offering them not just financial support, but also an invaluable learning opportunity to deepen their understanding of business fundamentals. There could even be a pitch competition—although that's optional—with grants awarded based on the quality of applications and their alignment with local contexts. What if we celebrated creativity and innovation in rural communities the way we do in online contests, using the local languages of the people? Imagine an award program that recognizes rural heroes in business, innovation, enterprise, and farming. What if this recognition came with grant support to further their impact? These are just reflections on what's possible. If any of these ideas resonate with you, let's connect. I'm eager to collaborate and bring these concepts to life. Tomorrow is another day. #RuralDevelopment #PovertyAlleviation #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #GrantOpportunities #SocialImpact #RuralEntrepreneurs #DurianNigeria #DurianFoundation #TonyJoy

3

As we approach the anniversary date of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adoption, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on how we’re tracking. In fact, every year a report is put together by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network - This organisation takes publicly available information and ranks how each state is making action towards the goals. It’s been a busy old time for Bead and Proceed (we’ve been trying to practice more yohaku - a beautiful Japanese concept that we’ve unpacked in a previous Proceed Peptalk… but anyway)! Now we are finally getting on to sharing the latest results and sadly… the stats are not great. Currently, Aotearoa has 6 SDGs that face major challenges, which include: 🔴 Zero Hunger 🔴 Responsible Consumption and Production 🔴 Climate Action 🔴 Life Below Water 🔴 Life on Land 🔴 Partnerships For the Goals 🔙We’re going backwards on Life Below Water And we’re currently sitting at #26 on the SDG Global Rank. Last year, we were at #27, before 23, before that #16 and before that, we were sitting at #11. This doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going backwards as some states have moved ahead and if you had to guess who are in the top three positions…it’s a typical Scandinavian Success Story with Finland at #1, Sweden in #2 and Denmark in #3. However, this isn’t the Olympics. What’s important is actually achieving the goals (rather than where states are ranked) and sadly no state is on track to achieving all 17 by 2030… which is why I left my law job to paint beads for a living. But seriously… I truly am on a mission to educate, engage and inspire action towards the SDGs from school students to business leaders to city councillors to charities. We all have the power to BEAD the change we want to see in the world and to be agents of this positive change. With the anniversary date approaching, ask yourself: how are you, your business, your team, your community making traction towards the SDGs? And don’t forget, it’s okay to ask for help or reach out if you’re not sure where to begin. #sdgs #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #sustainability #creativity #sustainabilityreporting

44

5 Comments

There's a vicious cycle that has been slowly eating away at the quality of our town centres and neighbourhoods for the past 50 years. In the very first human settlements, people could put a building wherever they liked. But they had a civic responsibility to do it in a way that contributed to the creation of a dynamic public realm. The result? The magical public spaces all over Europe that we love to visit. But slowly, all levels of government have moved away from this citizen model (where people are enabled to fulfil their civic responsibilities) to a customer model (where people pay taxes and, in exchange, are delivered the quality of community life they once had under the citizen model). Under the citizen model, 'placemaking' was a collective responsibility. The rules of engagement were a 'social contract' imbedded deep in the collective psyche - what Hillier and Hanson call 'Social Logic'. But in response to challenges like pandemics and the mass production of cars, local government authorities introduced regulations to smooth out these bumps in collective life. However these early regulations had two unintended consequence. Firstly, they said to the citizens, 'We don't trust you to handle this situation'. In so doing, they deskilled residents and retailers in the art of collective problem solving. Secondly, they kicked off a vicious cycle of distrust. If you tell your child every morning: 'I don't expect you to do well at school today because you are dumb,' then don't be surprised when their report card is full of failures. Every regulation (and every chair bolted to the ground) tells our citizens, hundreds of times a day, that they are an idiot not to be trusted. What we project becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. And when people fulfil our expectations we say, 'Told you so. Now we have to introduce more regulations and signs because of their stupidity.' So how do we put this vicious cycle of distrust and growing red tape into reverse? A good first step is the use of PERMISSION STATEMENTS. We first pioneered the use of permission statements in Taree, NSW, over ten years ago, and it breathed new life into the town centre. As part of my World Tour in 2025, I will be sharing with local authorities practical tools to bust through the red tape and begin repairing trust. Get ready to watch your town centres and neighbourhoods flourish. REPAIRING TRUST is like giving your garden a drink and some organic fertiliser.

27

4 Comments

⭐️The Importance of Supporting Nonprofits 🌟 Nonprofit organisations play a crucial role in addressing the needs of our communities, often stepping in where traditional systems fall short. They advocate for change, provide critical services, and give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. However, not all nonprofits are on an equal footing. While many larger organisations receive government funding, smaller nonprofits like ours rely entirely on community generosity and grassroots efforts to keep moving forward. This lack of funding doesn’t make our mission any less important—in fact, it makes it all the more critical. For organisations like Keeleys Cause, every dollar makes a difference. Without government funding, we continue to provide life-changing resources, such as iPads for children with autism and intellectual disabilities, ensuring that they have the tools they need to learn, communicate, and thrive. Supporting smaller nonprofits isn’t just about financial contributions—it’s about recognizing their impact, sharing their message, and standing behind their mission. When you support a smaller organization, you’re not just funding services—you’re empowering real change at a community level. Together, we can ensure that all nonprofits, big or small, have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. #Nonprofits #makingadifference #SupportSmallNonprofits #changinglives #CommunityImpact #KeeleysCause

13

3 Comments

I love this piece by Therese Walsh on the need for Boards to start planning for a 'spiky' climate transition and lead their organisations to do more. The recipe for success she talks about in terms of reducing emissions is also pretty simple - set targets, report publicly on progress towards them and have a CSO (or similar role) responsible for climate on your executive lead team. It feels harder in practise, obviously, but good to break it down to the absolute essentials that organisations need. #climateaction #governance #chapterzero https://lnkd.in/g5SXu4ew

11

🌱As a regional social enterprise that is firmly embedded into the fabric of our local community, we put a high value on consulting with our local stakeholders about how best to address the needs of young people in our region, and on forming collaborative partnerships with local organisations to broaden and deepen our impact. In the wake of a recent consultation session we ran with some of our key community stakeholders, Michael Pryke Chair of Mumbulla Community Foundation wrote that: “Grow the Future’s efforts to create a more resilient and self-sufficient community are commendable and align with broader goals of environmental conservation and economic stability. I have witnessed firsthand the positive changes brought about by Grow the Future’s activities. Their hands-on approach to community involvement and their ability to collaborate with various stakeholders make them a vital asset to the Bega community. Their programs not only address immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability and resilience. Supporting Grow the Future means investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for Bega.” 🐝While we get allot of buzz from the day to day impact that our programs are making, it’s always nice to hear words of support and appreciation from key community partners, and it fills us with allot of gratitude that we get to work with so many awesome organisations across the Bega Valley #walkingwithcommunity #regionalnsw #socialenterprise #regionalyouth #impactintheregions

30

2 Comments

At GWC, leadership is not about titles—it is about embodying values and creating a collaborative leadership culture that drives real impact across the rural water sector. During this week’s leadership retreat with GWC staff, I reflected on the ACTS Leadership Matrix—a framework I was taught and rely on to identify exceptional leaders who would fit well within our leadership culture. ✅ A - Affinity: People who connect deeply with our culture of leadership and current staff, and who are passionate about ending the global water crisis ✅ C - Character: Leaders who naturally embody humility, generosity, and encouragement, serving others with integrity ✅ T - Teachable: Lifelong learners, eager to grow and collaborate with others to expand their influence ✅ S - Skills: Professionals whose competencies have already made a tangible impact, earning respect and recognition from their peers These principles are serving GWC well as we build a leadership team that is aligned, relationally connected, and ready to take on the challenges of the global water crisis—together.  💡 What priorities and qualities do you look for in the formation of your leadership culture? Let me know in the comments! #Leadership #GlobalWaterCenter #SDG6 #CEO

89

7 Comments

Community development isn't just about making grand statements or setting lofty goals—it's about creating real, lasting change. To ensure your plans drive meaningful impact, consider these three tangible takeaways: Engage with Local Voices: Involve community members in the planning process to ensure the initiatives address their real needs and aspirations. Their insights are invaluable for crafting relevant and effective solutions. Set Clear, Measurable Goals: Define specific objectives and leading/lagging indicators for success. This clarity will help track progress, adjust strategies as needed, and demonstrate accountability. Build Sustainable Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, businesses, and leaders to pool resources and expertise. Strong partnerships enhance the effectiveness of your initiatives and ensure long-term sustainability. Let's move beyond mere intentions and work towards tangible, positive change in our communities. 🌍 #CommunityDevelopment #SustainableChange #LocalEngagement

5

1 Comment

The UN Global Compact Network Australia offers many helpful activities, including a Modern Slavery Community of Practice, an annual Dialogue Anti-Bribery and Corruption and an Advanced Climate Reporters Community of Practice. But have you discovered our blog articles yet? Our Senior Manager, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Evan B Center has written this helpful guiding piece on "Navigating nature-positive: a guide to business resilience". The five key takeaways: 🌿 Definition of Nature-Positive: The term "nature-positive" aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and aligns with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, emphasising the need for a regenerative approach to nature. 🌿 Business Implications: Integrating nature-positive strategies helps businesses mitigate environmental impacts, gain competitive advantage, enhance reputation, and ensure long-term viability in a changing global market. 🌿 Government Initiatives: The Australian Government has committed to protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030, establishing a Nature Repair Market, and implementing reforms to enhance environmental standards and compliance. 🌿 Nature-Related Financial Disclosures: The Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) highlights the importance of understanding nature-related risks and opportunities, urging businesses to shift from traditional financial metrics to a focus on natural capital accounting. 🌿 Learn more: Two upcoming conferences, including the Global Nature Positive Summit and the UNiting Business LIVE Australia conference will focus on nature-positive actions and strategies for businesses. https://lnkd.in/gq4QkeMg #NaturePositive #AusBiz #UNGCNA #Conference #Australia #Event #Opportunities # Emilia Maubach Chloé Luu Kate Dundas Julia Bourke Neha Nithin Dan Wilcock Evangeline Sanopoulos Lara Taylor

21

1 Comment

NESO's Clean Power 2030 makes clear that clean power by 2030 is possible but challenging. One of the key elements will be ensuring community support. The report states: "Community consent and maintaining public support is vital to the delivery of net zero in Great Britain. Those asked to host energy infrastructure should continue to be effectively engaged throughout the development process, even as it accelerates, and should feel tangible benefit from the critical role their areas play in building a clean, secure and low-cost electricity system." https://lnkd.in/eauk8rXH

I don't think I'd be the first to painstakingly develop a policy or position paper with constellations of experts and stakeholders, only to be overwhelmed by the deafening sound of crickets following submission to government decision makers. Government advocacy is a crowded space, with a lot of competing interests vying for the scant attentions of politicians and senior public servants, many of whom are in transient positions of power and influence - so, as Dr Natasha Abrahams capably demonstrates here, we must temper our expectations, manage our resources carefully, and be prepared to play the long game with the products of our policy-focused work. Thanks for these super helpful insights, Natasha - it's clearly a marathon, not a sprint.

19

“What would you do if you couldn’t throw anything away?” I had the immense pleasure of co-creating and delivering a circular economy module for iAccelerate (University of Wollongong) with Nina Gbor, an absolute legend in the sustainability space, and that question drove some fascinating conversations. I loved the mix of circular start-ups, established businesses wanting to be more circular (with lots of aquaculture orgs thanks to FRDC - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation being partners for the program) and general start-ups who might not have thought of how to make their sourcing, production, distribution and consumption more circular - but they do now! What became obvious was that Australia has the will and the skill and can build the solutions we need to be more circular but it currently costs more to reuse, repair and recycle than to throw things away and that needs to change. Hopefully the work Tanya Plibersek and the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group are doing will tip the scales!

78

1 Comment

I'm really inspired by The Resilience Canopy in Australia. Their model of working with communities on their priorities, because resilience doesn't always come from a plan. The process of training, activating, connecting and sharing learning. Building a collective movement. Helping communities find their own path. How can we do more of this in the UK? https://lnkd.in/eRUHzhq4

17

1 Comment

We did a thing! Tuesday marked a milestone day for our collaborative work here at the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee (WRLC)…we got endorsement from all our council, iwi and government partners on the next steps in delivering a regional approach to #climateadaptation. Many hands have helped shape this mahi, and we all know it's important. No matter how hard we go in reducing our GHG emissions, we will inevitably be dealing with a fundamentally changed, supercharged #climate. We must act immediately, we must act locally and we need to think holistically. Lots of work to do now in turning these concepts into on-ground, on-whenua/moana reality, but super excited to be in a position to deliver regional efficiency and put in place the building blocks for locally useful solutions that will build our communities long-term #resilience. Sounds easy, but definitely won’t be...fun times ahead! Great opportunity too to tie this into whatever national #adaptation legislation emerges from the FEC Inquiry... Come join the fun! #strongertogether #partnerships #climateaction #whakapapa #interconnected #systems Full papers available here: https://lnkd.in/ggaJZast

111

7 Comments

One of the most powerful climate action tools is advocacy. Here's 3 key ways your organisation can do that: 1️⃣ Ensure your organisation is not engaged in any advocacy, or direct and indirect lobbying, which is misaligned with climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. 2️⃣ Engage within your organisation to ensure stakeholders at all levels are aware of the role they have to play in managing climate change impacts. 3️⃣ Engage with suppliers and value chain partners to improve the accuracy and quality of your supply chain. Collaboration across value chains can build resilience and identify new opportunities. Advocacy and engagement are an essential component of our Elevate Standard, which all Toitū climate impact certification members must comply with. Your positive engagement and advocacy across your value chain, sector, and communities can boost collaboration and accelerate decarbonisation. #ClimateAdvocacy #ClimateLeadership #CollectiveAction Austin Hansell

27

Providing emergency food relief has become normalised in our communities - out of necessity. The scale of the problem is off the charts and community centres and neighbourhood centres are often providing this support, without adequate funding. Thats why StreetSmart funds food relief programs, and community meals, at these services. "It's quite common across the neighbourhood centres that they're a front point now for people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and domestic violence," This situation, of people going hungry, is not OK. We shouldnt need food relief programs at this scale. We need to work towards eradicating poverty and a first step is to #raisetherate of income support and other support payments. Lets recognise that people on the lowest income are in crisis. People should be able to feed themselves and their family. #foodrelief #foodsecurity #homelessness #poverty https://lnkd.in/gDRrcB9Q

31

9 Comments