We facilitate local disaster risk reduction and economic resilience programs that aid businesses and community organisations to prepare and recover more effectively.
We are "community-led" because our approach prioritises the needs of local economies, as determined by consultations with community members.
Our main priority is to create meaningful change in every community we work with.
ABV is dedicated to fostering the revitalisation of regional economies by providing essential support to community organisations, local entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Connection Brokering
ABV facilitates the brokering of more interconnected communities and regions through various relationships and initiatives. This involves connecting with government entities, corporate organisations, and other relevant parties.
Planning and Preparedness
ABV provides assistance through a variety of means including the dissemination of knowledge, the sharing of information, the development of skills, and the enhancement of awareness.
"ABV are like a breath of fresh air. Most people just stay on the highway and don't stop. It's incredible that ABV actually came here."
Community Member Tristan Hennessey, Nowa Nowa.
(ABV) helped me really look at the project from a business perspective, which is something that...I had a bit of resistance too because this is a passion project for me.
They were able to hold my hand through that process and we came up with a business plan.
Alex King - Moruya Compost Club
ABV creates connections in the community. Through ABV we were connected with the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council.
I can't speak highly enough of the work that George and Natascha (ABV team) have done. Fantastic, professional and supportive.
Nick Kemp - Secretary Braidwood and Villages Business Chamber
The Process
1
Consultation
Building foundational trust with communities while identifying their key needs, priorities and interests.
2
Place-based engagement
Working in the community, with the community to discover unique characteristics, drawing on local knowledge and resources.
3
Creating a Safe Space
Creating social safety as community holds the sometimes-difficult conversations to determine actions.
4
Engaging Volunteers & Networks
Sourcing specialist volunteers to complement local skills. Expert knowledge accelerates projects.
5
Feedback Loop
Regular review sessions keep feedback consistent and provide continuous improvement. ABV feeds its learnings into our advocacy work and understanding of the systems change needed.
With the very real and devasting impact of natural hazards and disasters front of mind this High-Risk Weather Season, Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) reflects on five years of driving community-led disaster and economic resilience for empowered solutions from the bottom up. Putting communities in the driver's seat, building local capacity, and forging lasting relationships, this […]
Earlier this month, local leaders, volunteers, and community groups came together at the Orbost Arts Centre for the second workshop in a series focused on strengthening connections and collaboration across the Orbost and District area. The workshop, Building Orbost and District Together: Place-based Leadership & Governance, brought together 16 passionate locals to explore what kind […]
Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms in South Australia, offering insight into how community-led disaster and economic resilience can play a central role in addressing the ongoing environmental and economic impacts of harmful algal blooms in the state. Read ABV’s submission in […]
Drawing on five years of working with disaster-affected communities in regional and remote Australia, Australian Business Volunteers has released its evidence-based framework to ensure that communities are better prepared to withstand future disaster risks and climate induced hazards. With over some 175 projects now delivered in some 17 local government areas, we know just how […]
Local leaders, business owners and community members came together on August 21st for the Building Orbost and District Together – Place-based Leadership and Governance Workshop, the culmination of a three-part webinar series exploring community-led approaches to resilience and prosperity. Hosted in partnership between the Future of Orbost & District (FoOD) project and Australian Business Volunteers […]
Twenty-seven small business owners in Mallacoota and Orbost walked away from a recent series of Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) workshops feeling more confident, capable, and connected after participating in four practical sessions focused on business growth and resilience. Held over two evenings in each town, the workshops attracted a diverse mix of local business owners, […]
Be a voice in our workshop series to design to the next chapter of our district’s place-based leadership and governance Local leaders across Orbost and district are being invited to take part in an exciting community-led initiative aimed at further shaping the district’s collaborative structures and decision-making approaches — looking beyond current forest industry transition […]
Appointed to support Australian Business Volunteers’ Resilient Regions economic disaster resilience program with the fire-affected East Gippsland community of Buchan late last year. Mike Sewell, who has been extremely generious with his time and expertise, says he’s in for the long haul. “One of the first things I do when I get involved in a […]
