The Program
The Program
The Resilience Canopy is a community-led resilience building movement, creating a ripple effect of transformation embedded in communities across Australia for many generations to come.
The challenge now
Across Australia, communities are being hit by more than disasters—they’re being overwhelmed by the compounding pressures of financial stress, social isolation, housing instability, mental health challenges, and climate-related shocks like fires and floods.
These challenges don’t just stretch local systems—they expose existing cracks in communities– especially for people already facing disadvantage.
This reactive approach leaves communities more vulnerable and dependent, and repeating cycles of damage and repair.
These challenges don’t just stretch local systems—they expose existing cracks in communities– especially for people already facing disadvantage.
This reactive approach leaves communities more vulnerable and dependent, and repeating cycles of damage and repair.
The way forward
Communities know their challenges better than anyone. Strong, connected and prepared communities are crucial for Australia’s ability to withstand and adapt to the shocks and stresses of unexpected events and societal challenges.
The Resilience Canopy is a nation-wide program that provides communities with the skills and frameworks they need to lead their own future ready plans. It connects communities with a network of potential partners who can help deliver on those plans through investment, expertise or in-kind support.
The Resilience Canopy is a nation-wide program that provides communities with the skills and frameworks they need to lead their own future ready plans. It connects communities with a network of potential partners who can help deliver on those plans through investment, expertise or in-kind support.
What’s a Resilience Canopy?
Notice the reach of a tree’s branches and leaves providing shelter and shade. The way the tree stands tall and strong amongst the busy life inside and around it.
A Resilience Canopy, with strongly connected branches driving down into the earth’s foundations is something that can be grown together by communities in order to withstand shocks and stresses and to re-emerge stronger. Communities who are strong and connected are more challenge-ready – just like the canopy of a tree.
A different approach to resilience
Resilience beyond disaster thinking
- We support communities to identify and articulate their priorities because resilience doesn’t always come from a plan.
- We help communities to find their own path to resilience because it looks different in every community. To deliver on their ideas to tackle challenges, they can take actions or advocate themselves, or in conjunction with authorities, or choose to activate their own partnerships.
- We mentor leaders to build capacity and keep teaching resilience for an enduring legacy.
- We seek to work with communities where the need is the greatest.
- We equip communities to lead collectively and build connections in an environment of empowerment and respect.
- We amplify the existing wisdom of communities.
- We acknowledge and respect Indigenous wisdom, and intergenerational knowledge.