One of our highlights of 2020 was participating in the Innovation Panel at the National Economic Development Conference, an event designed for leaders at all levels of government, economists and other professionals strategically supporting the development of local, state and Australia’s economy.

The event recognised civic innovation as a strategy in the economic development toolkit and a key part of the innovation ecosystem by the curators of the conference, chair of the event, panelists and facilitator and participants in the event.

The panel expertly facilitated by Patrick Fensham from SGS Economics and Planning, included:

• Narelle Kennedy, a pioneer in the innovation and business world who blew us away with her understanding of civic innovation and its potential.

• Martin Bliemel is an Associate Dean of Research at the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, and the Course Director for the Diploma in Innovation at UTS.

• CCI’s Executive Director Amelia Loye.

Forty-four people attended the session and asked questions about how civic innovation could support economic development and what governments were might do to encourage it.

After a wonderful introduction to civic innovation from Patrick and Narelle, and the importance of ecosystem mapping from Martin, Amelia was asked to share CCI’s story and what we had learned through our pilot project in Liverpool, NSW.

CCI was presented as a practical way for governments to encourage civic innovation in their community. We made some new friends in local government and launched our new Activate Starter Pack for Local Governments who want to encourage civic innovation in their communities.