What’s emerged is a network of people who have the support to push boundaries — Indigenous innovators, community leaders, network organisers, farmers —working together not because they’re told to, but because they want to. Informal BBQs spark collaborations. A flexible letter of support unlocks government grants. Small investments from Commonland validate bold local projects, allowing them to flourish and attract additional support.

“Without their funding, we wouldn’t have survived. It enabled us to pioneer, to learn, to make mistakes—and to build greatness.”

“The partner connection – I haven’t seen anyone else- philanthropic, corporate or government, bring their partners together like that.”

The investment by Commonland is a relatively small amount of money (relative to what other funders have contributed). But there’s a ripple effect as each partner replicates the trust that has been placed in them with their members, shareholders and customers. And then, like a backwards travelling wave, ideas and actions are coming back in from that wider network. The whole thing is held together by listening, trust and friendship.