Call for Expressions of Interests: Collective Impact Initiative (Australia)

Deadline: 15-Dec-2026

Aboriginal Investment NT is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory to participate in large-scale, community-led Collective Impact Initiatives supported by substantial grant funding and strategic assistance. The initiative is designed to help Aboriginal communities collaboratively plan and deliver interconnected projects that strengthen community capacity, local control, and long-term wellbeing. It is community-led and place-based, with Aboriginal community members and organisations at the centre of planning and project design.

About the Collective Impact Initiative

The Collective Impact Initiative supports Aboriginal communities to develop and deliver interconnected projects based on their own priorities and long-term goals. The initiative provides flexibility for communities to plan and implement projects over several years, allowing activities to respond to changing community needs.

The approach focuses on:

- Community capacity building. - Aboriginal community control. - Long-term community wellbeing. - Collaborative planning. - Interconnected projects. - Community-led decision-making. - Place-based development. - Sustainable and scalable impact. What Support Is Available? Aboriginal Investment NT will provide communities with both financial and strategic support throughout the life of their initiatives.

Support can include:

- Grant funding. - Strategic assistance. - Project design support. - Planning assistance. - Procurement support. - Technical support. - Data and research assistance. - Partnership brokering. - Policy advocacy. This combination of funding and non-financial support is intended to help communities move from early-stage planning and readiness through to project implementation. Community-Led and Place-Based Approach The initiative places Aboriginal communities at the centre of planning and design. Community members and Aboriginal organisations are expected to play a central role in identifying priorities, developing projects, and shaping how the initiative responds to local needs. The place-based approach allows projects to be flexible and tailored to the specific circumstances of each participating community. Long-Term Funding Approach Funding is intended to be available throughout the life of each Collective Impact Initiative. This approach can support communities at different stages, including: - Early-stage readiness. - Project design and planning. - Procurement and preparation. - Later-stage project implementation. - Ongoing activities required to achieve long-term community outcomes. The funding model is therefore intended to support initiatives over several years rather than focusing only on individual short-term projects. How Much Funding Is Available? The anticipated funding will vary depending on the size of the community.

- Large communities: Between $10 million and $15 million.

- Smaller communities: At least $2 million.

The funding is intended to support the initiative throughout its life, with resources available according to each community’s needs and stage of development.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The Collective Impact Initiative aims to bring together a wide range of partners to achieve greater community impact.

Potential partners include:

- Government. - Land Councils. - Businesses. - Regional councils. - Service providers. - Not-for-profit organisations. Partnership brokering is also part of the strategic assistance available through Aboriginal Investment NT. These partnerships can help communities access additional expertise, services, resources, and opportunities to support their long-term goals. Who Can Submit an Expression of Interest? Eligibility is open to Aboriginal persons, groups, or organisations who live or operate in the relevant Northern Territory community. However, the EOI must be submitted on behalf of the whole community. This means the proposal should demonstrate that the wider community has been consulted and supports participation in the Collective Impact Initiative. Community Consultation Requirement Applicants must provide evidence that community consultation has taken place. The EOI must demonstrate that the proposed participation has community support rather than representing only the interests of an individual, group, or organisation. Community consultation is therefore an important part of demonstrating readiness for the initiative. Letters of Community Support Applicants must provide support letters from: - At least two senior community members. - At least two Aboriginal organisations operating in or providing services to the community. These letters help demonstrate community backing and the involvement of Aboriginal organisations connected to the relevant community. How Will Communities Be Selected? The selection process will consider the strength and readiness of participating communities. Priority will be given to communities demonstrating: - Strong unity. - Collaboration. - Shared purpose. - Community-spirited leadership. - Organisational readiness. - Potential for sustained impact. - Potential for scalable impact. The selection process is designed to identify communities that have a strong foundation for collaborative, long-term initiatives. Strong Community Unity and Collaboration Community unity and collaboration are important considerations in the selection process. Communities should demonstrate an ability to work collectively toward shared goals and priorities. The initiative is intended to support interconnected projects rather than isolated activities, making collaboration and a shared sense of purpose particularly important. Community Leadership and Readiness The selection process also considers community-spirited leadership and organisational readiness. Strong leadership can help communities coordinate different projects, partners, organisations, and resources over the life of the initiative. Organisational readiness is also impo