What is community strengthening?

Community strengthening is a sustained effort to increase involvement and partnership among members of a community to achieve common objectives. It involves local people, community organisations, government, business and philanthropic organisations working together to achieve agreed social, economic and environmental outcomes.

The Department of Planning and Community Development helps build stronger communities by investing in a more linked-up, integrated approach to planning, funding and delivery of services at the local level. Read examples of successful community strengthening.

What is a community?


By community, we mean groups of Victorians who share a common sense of belonging, such as:
  • people who live in the same place, such as a neighbourhood, suburb or town
  • people with common interests, such as sporting activities, type of work or environment
  • people of a similar age, culture or lifestyle, such as young people

Reducing disadvantage through strengthening communities


The latest release of the State Government's social policy action plan, A Fairer Victoria, comprises over $1 billion worth of new initiatives to reduce disadvantage and increase social inclusion in Victoria. Many of A Fairer Victoria’s initiatives are linked to community strengthening actions to achieve its five objectives of:
  • improving access to the universal services
  • reducing barriers to opportunity
  • strengthening assistance for disadvantaged groups
  • strengthening assistance for disadvantaged places
  • making it easier to work with government

Changing the way government works


A Fairer Victoria’s success requires new partnerships among communities, the non-government sector, business and other levels of government to improve the planning and delivery of services at a local level. Find out how government is changing the way it works to build stronger communities.

Promoting healthy and active communities


Go for Your Life is part of a cross-government effort to create healthy and resilient communities through promoting the benefits of increased physical activity, healthy eating and community involvement. Visit the Linked page opens in a new window Go for Your Life website to learn more.

Web Site Updates

DPCD's websites are progressively being updated to reflect the changes following the establishment of the department. This means you will continue to see some references to the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) as changes are being made.


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