Engaging Communities in Circular Economy Projects: Case Studies
Transitioning to a circular economy isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a social shift. Engaging communities, businesses, and policymakers early and often ensures waste initiatives are effective, inclusive, and built for long-term success.
Read our in-depth case studies on Circular Economy projects.
Engaging Communities in Circular Economy Projects: A Guide for Stakeholders
Circular economy is a broad and interconnected model that relies upon numerous stakeholders—but for the complex nature of modern supply chains it can be challenging for local communities, consumers, and businesses to implement effectively. Using community engagement in circular economy projects is essential to untangle this web and get consumers and households on board.
Why Engaging the Community Early in a Development Project is a Smart Move
Developers who engage early don’t just avoid battles—they build better projects. Get the community onside, work with businesses, and make sure emergency services, councils, and stakeholders aren’t blindsided. We’ve seen some of the positive benefits first hand from our clients.
Impact Report 2024
At Conversation Co, 2024 was a year of community-led impact and growth. We took a moment to reflect on our achievements, challenges, lessons learned — and what's on the horizon for 2025.
With sustainability being the core of our practices, we are committed to using our business as a force for good. We strive to create tangible and lasting impacts for the planet and the people, one conversation at a time.
Navigating the Misinformation Maze: Engaging Communities Amid Disinformation Challenges
The spread of misinformation and disinformation is a major factor in our social and political landscape today. This has affected our ability to communicate and work together on some of the big issues we face; supporting public health, addressing climate change, maintaining a stable democracy, ensuring rights and responsibilities.
Preparing your next Domestic Animal Management Plan
Conversation Co is experienced in supporting councils to develop their DAMPs — whether it is engaging with the community stakeholders, workshopping the objectives and actions with your internal teams, or writing the DAMP.
How to Maximise the Community’s Involvement & Interest in your Project
We know community engagement is necessary in delivering projects and council initiatives that matter to the community. Apart from the usual methods of engagement (e.g. developing an engagement and communications plan for the project period, coordinating pop-ups), how else can we maximise the community’s interest and involvement in a project?
Community Feedback in Action: Council Case Studies
So we talked to your community — what actually happened after that? We work on a wide range of projects, with the engagement phase scheduled at the start, middle, and/or end of each project. Some projects involve decision-making very much in the public domain, whilst others can be ‘quiet’ engagement exercises.
Facilitation Microskills Guide
It’s important to understand that facilitation is not only about the others in the room, it starts with you. The key to a productive session is ensuring that you are performing at your best and taking the steps necessary to get you into that optimal state.
Practice Guide: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a MPHWP
Evaluation is a crucial element of all strategic planning. As we come to a new planning cycle of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWP), we encourage you to take the time to evaluate and reflect on your current MPHWP.
New to Local Government: Sector Guidance Planning & Reporting
2024 and 2025 will be busy years for all Victorian councils. A number of key strategic plans will be prepared and there will be council elections in October 2024. The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to prepare a long-term Community Vision, a four-year Council Plan, a ten-year Financial Plan and a ten-year Asset Plan, after every four-year election cycle. Community engagement is mandatory or highly recommended for all these plans.
Benefits & Risks of Including a MPHWP within a Council Plan
Through the Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008) all councils are required to prepare a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPHWP) every four years, within 12 months of a council election. With council elections occurring in October 2024, now is the time to consider how to meet the requirements of the Act.
Voter Fatigue on Community Engagement
Voter fatigue refers to the apathy felt towards voting by people who live in a country /state that functions as a democracy. It is generally known to be caused by having to vote in multiple elections in a short period of time – in the Australian context this could refer to the federal, state, local elections, as well as a referendum. It is important to acknowledge the impact this may have on other smaller scale forms of community engagement and how we keep community members informed and address barriers that prevent people from experiencing engagement fatigue.
Cost of Living on Community Engagement
In a post-pandemic world, we’re all trying to “get back to normal” but as the 2023 year closes, this normal world is a turbulent one. Many of us in Australia are focused on our own finances and affordability of key purchases in the future. What is influencing everyday Australians?
How We Scale Up/Down Depending on the Client’s Needs
We can support you through the whole process or you can ‘pick and mix’ specialised support for key moments depending on your project needs.
Data Collection Framework 101
The data collection framework is a spreadsheet used to record each individual response or answer you receive from the community during engagement activities. What goes into the framework?
The Value of Detailed Planning & How It Saves You Time
If you’re involved in any kind of project, whether it’s in the public sector, private industry, or community initiatives, you’ve probably heard about Engagement Plans. Engagement Plans are a working document that is intended to be updated throughout the duration of the project. They are important in keeping everyone involved in the project up-to-speed and on the same page, and serves as the backbone of your project.
The Role of Social Planning, Social Research & Community Engagement
Sometimes our clients ask us to engage with their stakeholders when another approach is more suitable. What exactly is the difference between social research and community engagement? Where does social planning and technical information fit into the picture? Some projects will utilise one method, while others utilise all three approaches, at different stages.
Foster Care Week 2023
Foster Care Week provided an opportunity for Conversation Co to partner with Anglicare to raise the awareness about the need for more foster carers in Victoria as well as provide information for people who may consider becoming a foster carer in the future.
Correlation Between Food Trends & Community Acceptance in Melbourne
Let’s talk about the correlation between food trends and community acceptance within Melbourne. Picture this: a delightful blend of flavours, cultures, and a dash of quirkiness. Melbourne’s food scene has a way of bringing people together, and food trends play a significant role in fostering community acceptance. It’s like a delicious recipe where the ingredients are the trends, and the outcome is a harmonious foodie paradise.