Our vision is an equitable and inclusive society where people, place and planet thrive.

Our role is to help people collaborate in ways that changes power and transforms systems—so all people and Country can thrive. 

We have partnered with over 400 communities, organisations and initiatives across Australia since 2012.

CFI is an independent, not-for-profit organisation.

 

We build collaborations for a brighter and fairer future for all

For Australia to be a place where everyone can thrive, we need to work together to tackle the roots of inequity.       

CFI works to help people collaborate across differences. This includes differences in race, culture, power, and perspective.    

We believe this is at the core of building a better future together.   

From remote towns to capital cities, we work at the local, regional, and national level, and the spaces in between.        

For over a decade, we have partnered with First Nations and other Australians. Communities who are showing why and how they can, and must, be at the centre of transforming the systems that affect their lives.   

We help seed, grow, and amplify these bright spots where communities are creating more equitable systems. 

Like Australia, our team is diverse.

We are made up of First Nations leaders, coloniser and convict descendants, and multi-generational migrants. 

“To work within an initiative that inverts traditional power dynamics and seeks reform of many systems simultaneously, we need to shift what is viewed as good leadership.

CFI and others are working to articulate and develop an understanding of what this looks like…and how to build the capabilities of communities and organisations in systems leadership.”

Strengthening Communities Alliance, Position Paper 2023

What we are known and trusted for

We are a globally recognised field builder for community-led systems change. For more than 10 years, CFI has pioneered, incubated and amplified innovations for collaborative systems change.

We are valued by government, philanthropy, service sector, corporations and communities for:

Creating spaces for people to work in complexity

We bring people together to work across differences – in power, race, culture and perspective. We create conditions to pause, sit with complexity, and tackle systemic issues together.

Building capability and conditions for collaboration

We have worked with over 100 communities to build models and practices for collaboration. This is across local and national scales and sectors.

Unearthing and amplifying practices and models for collaborative systems change that centre equity

CFI has incubated, developed and amplified practices and models for equity-centred collaboration. This has informed large-scale policy and practice changes.

Developing infrastructure that grows the field of collaborative systems change

CFI has led the design, implementation and adaptation of field infrastructure for collaborative systems change in Australia.

CFI was founded in 2012 by Liz Skelton and Kerry Graham. Since that time we have partnered with over 400 communities, organisations and initiatives across Australia. We have continued to evolve and grow into a diverse team and network of practitioners and leaders in collaborative systems change.

Our southern constellation

Where we are going and why

We believe the three biggest opportunities for collaborative systems change in Australia in 2025 and beyond are:  

  • Peace-Building and Healing 
  • Equitable Democracy 
  • Connected Communities 

 For over a decade, we have partnered with First Nations and other multicultural Australians. Communities who are showing why and how they can, and must, be at the centre of transforming the systems that shape their lives. Communities who are leading the way to a brighter and fairer future for all.   

 At CFI, we believe everyone has a role in creating a more equitable future. Our work is to help people collaborate in ways that changes power and transform systems—so all people and Country can thrive.  

 We have worked and walked with so many of you. At the local, regional, and national level, and the spaces in between. Together we have shown how we can collaborate across differences—differences in race, culture, power, and perspective. And why this is essential to tackling the roots of inequity.  

 As we look to 2025 and beyond, we see a time of Both/And. A time of polarisation, disinformation, inequality and injustice. And a time of tremendous love, courage, strength and creativity—as we continue the work for a brighter and fairer future. 

Like many of you, we have been asking ourselves and others the question: what are the biggest opportunities of our times to create a more equitable Australia, so all people and Country can thrive?   

And for CFI, where does Australia most need collaboration to shift power and reimagine a future based on equity over division?    

This is why we are focussing on these three big opportunities in the coming decade. We believe progress here will be pivotal to the intergenerational work of creating an Australia where all people and Country thrive.  

Read about our focus

Our principles

Equity

We are better together and when equity is centred. We seek and work with difference to strengthen collective voice, wisdom and impact.

Power

We actively work with power dynamics and structures to centre justice, equity
and the voices of people who are excluded from dominant systems.

Connection

We commit to understanding, respecting and nurturing connections to Country
and each other.

Transparency

We are open, truthful and share information and knowledge purposefully.

Creativity

We are creative and tenacious. We work with the understanding that systemic
change is long-term and intergenerational.