Our mission

Growing up in Australia, it's easy to take democracy for granted.  

But the last decade has shown us that it's impossible to address these issues without highly respected institutions that function in the interests of the present and future community. Democracy everywhere is beleaguered, and the pandemic caused a step change in the wrong direction.

We don't for a moment believe that we have all the answers, but we know that the work we will do really counts. We are troubled when we see people who lack all faith in science, experts, and institutions. But we don't dismiss them. We've realised that a person's moral compass has very little to do with their education or their income. We believe that by connecting with people, and connecting people, by informing people and being informed by them, we can make our democracy stronger. We can do our bit, and create a society which is fit to meet the great challenges of our age.

Our mission is to make those choices fairer – the kind people trust, even when the outcome is tough.

That means helping governments, utilities, and organisations make decisions that reflect real lives and real needs. It’s giving people a seat at the table and making sure they’re heard. Not just the loudest voices, but the ones who are usually left out. Seeking out the voices that matter; navigate big, messy, complicated problems and create clear paths forward.

We strengthen democracy through our work in three key ways:

1. We bring the voice of the people into big decisions made by government and institutions. 
2. We make government, especially local government, a highly functional, high-performing, and respected employer of choice, fostering trust and faith in institutions. 
3. People who participate in our engagement become activated as citizens, demanding a say in decisions, and becoming energised about the democratic process. 

We're not here to tick a box or win a contract. If your challenge doesn't align with our purpose, we’ll let you know. But when it does, we’re with you all the way. We’ll get in the trenches, tell you what you need to hear, and do the work properly.

Everything we do is about building trust and capability. Inside organisations and across communities, we care deeply about the outcomes and about the people they affect. That’s why we show up the way we do, prepared, honest, and focused on what matters.

Better engagement supports better decisions. And better decisions make for stronger communities and healthier institutions. That’s how we do our bit for democracy.