Community Engagement Trends for 2026: The Year of Hybrid Reality
As community engagement trends for 2026 emerge, the sector in Australia and New Zealand stands at a genuine inflection point.
Dan Ferguson
December 2, 2025
From Days to Hours: How GORCAPA Streamlined Community Analysis with AI
Faced with overlapping engagement periods for two major capital works projects, GORCAPA needed a faster, more efficient way to manage feedback.
Dan Ferguson
November 3, 2025
Future-Proofing Your Engagement Strategy: Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond
The digital era has well and truly arrived in community engagement. What started as a necessity during the pandemic has transformed into the standard.
Finn Clark
June 5, 2025
Maximising Community Impact: Best Practices for Using Data-Driven Insights in Engagement Projects
By analysing feedback systematically, teams can identify key themes and sentiments that might otherwise be lost in the noise.
Finn Clark
June 2, 2025
Micro Engagements, Macro Results: Leveraging 60 Second Interactions for Big Community Wins
Community engagement is evolving, and sometimes the smallest interactions can have the biggest impact
Finn Clark
May 20, 2025
The Dangers of Improperly Planned Community Engagement
Instead of building bridges, poorly managed engagement can create confusion, mistrust, and even conflict within the community.
Finn Clark
May 16, 2025
The Future of Community Engagement: Where We Could Be Heading
The future of community engagement is shaping up to be smarter, more inclusive, and, dare we say, a bit more fun.
Finn Clark
May 9, 2025
The Importance of Meaningful Community Engagement
While the term is often used interchangeably with consultation or participation, true community engagement is a deeper, ongoing partnership.
Finn Clark
May 7, 2025
Community Engagement: Why “Have Your Say” Shouldn’t Be a Snooze
Let’s be honest, when most people hear “community engagement,” their eyes glaze over faster than you can say “public consultation sausage sizzle.”
Finn Clark
April 30, 2025
Kids Ask the Best Questions: Designing Engagement Activities for Youth (and learning from their honesty)
One of the most exciting trends in youth engagement is the use of interactive tools that speak the language of young people.
Finn Clark
April 29, 2025
Empower, Measure, Transform: Making Community Engagement Count Strategically
Elevate engagement: Empower teams, measure true impact, & transform strategic outcomes. Essential for success.
Dan Ferguson
April 23, 2025
Bridging the Gap: Making Hybrid Engagement Work for Everyone
If you have ever tried to organise a community meeting that suits everyone, you know it is a bit like planning a surprise party for a group of cats!
Finn Clark
April 20, 2025
Deductive vs. Inductive Theming: Choosing the Right Analysis Approach for Your Consultation Data
Analysing consultation data effectively is essential to making informed decisions based on community input, however...
Dan Ferguson
April 17, 2025
Beyond the Survey: Creative Ways to Gather Community Feedback
As communities become more diverse and their needs more complex, relying solely on surveys can limit the depth and inclusivity.
Finn Clark
April 17, 2025
How Community Engagement Delivers Measurable Value
Discover how strategic community engagement delivers measurable value through risk mitigation, trust building, and driving innovation in your org.
Dan Ferguson
April 16, 2025
How Analysis Transforms Feedback into Insights
GovTech, the intersection of government and technology, is rapidly becoming essential for enhancing public sector efficiency, transparency, and trust.
Dan Ferguson
April 15, 2025
Data Privacy in Community Engagement: The Australian Advantage
Community engagement today is about more than just conversations; it's about trust, transparency, and responsible data handling.
Dan Ferguson
April 12, 2025
Shifting the Narrative: Community Engagement as a Strategic Asset
Strategic community engagement isn't a cost—it's an asset that enhances reputation, reduces risks, and builds trust. Become more proactive!
Dan Ferguson
April 10, 2025
Navigating Hybrid Engagement: Why It Matters
Hybrid engagement blends in-person and online input to create inclusive, accessible, and effective community participation experiences.
Finn Clark
March 17, 2025
Aligning with IAP2 Core Values: Elevating Public Participation
IAP2’s values guide ethical, inclusive engagement—ensuring all voices are heard and communities shape decisions that impact their future.
Dan Ferguson
March 12, 2025
The Rise of the “Pickleball Effect”
“Pickleball” groups can skew engagement—ensure all voices are heard through diverse outreach, data checks, and balanced community input.
Finn Clark
March 4, 2025
Beyond Blueprints: How Immersive Technology Brings Projects to Life
Immersive tech like VR and MR brings future projects to life, making complex plans clear and boosting inclusive, informed community engagement.
Finn Clark
February 14, 2025
Embracing Hybrid and Virtual Experiences: How Engagement will change
Hybrid engagement is now essential—blending digital and in-person tools to build inclusive, transparent, and resilient community connections.
Finn Clark
February 10, 2025
The New Standard in Community Engagement
Hybrid engagement blends in-person and online access to boost inclusion, flexibility, and resilience in community participation.
Finn Clark
January 17, 2025
The Future of Engagement: Understanding Generative AI
Generative AI boosts engagement by turning complex feedback into fast, actionable insights—freeing teams to focus on community impact.
Finn Clark
December 16, 2024
Data Analytics in Community Engagement
Data analytics turns community feedback into insights—using AI, NLP, and sentiment analysis to guide inclusive, informed decision-making at scale.
Dan Ferguson
December 12, 2024
Reaching Hard to Reach Stakeholders
Use digital tools and inclusive outreach to engage hard-to-reach groups—build trust, remove barriers, personalize, and always close the feedback loop.
Dan Ferguson
December 12, 2024
What is Community Engagement Anyways?
Engagement builds belonging and better outcomes through inclusive, authentic, two-way relationships.
Dan Ferguson
March 24, 2024
Event Recap - Enagement By The Beach
Insights from Manly’s Engagement by the Beach: trust, timing, inclusive design, and creative engagement spark better community outcomes.
Dan Ferguson
March 24, 2024
Event Recap - IAP2 NZ Symposium
Lessons from IAP2 NZ: Early, honest engagement—like Christchurch’s Gloucester and Bays Skate projects—leads to resilient, community-backed outcomes.
Dan Ferguson
March 24, 2024
Why Engagement Projects Need More Time
Effective engagement takes time—build trust, gather rich data, and create lasting impact through continuous, inclusive, and flexible collaboration.
Dan Ferguson
March 24, 2024