Share

Future of Local Innovation

Cultivating local government innovation capability to meet the future well prepared.

While our world is changing rapidly, the core elements of Victorian communities remain —belonging, safety, access to nature and a healthy environment, and public spaces that foster creativity and well-being. Local governments are uniquely positioned to support communities through these changes by fostering resilience, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring that essential services and infrastructure evolve to meet emerging needs. By investing in adaptive leadership, inclusive decision-making, and proactive community engagement, councils can empower residents to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Through strategic foresight and collaboration, councils can anticipate challenges before they escalate, enabling timely interventions that protect vulnerable populations, sustain local economies, and enhance overall well-being. Whether through climate adaptation strategies, digital inclusion initiatives, or innovative urban planning, local governments have the capacity to shape the future rather than react to it.

With an ear to the ground and an eye for the nuance of community dynamics, local government often takes the lead in shaping agendas that take on state- and nation-wide significance, from community-led development plans to coordinating response in times of crisis. Local governments and bodies like MAV play a further role in preparing and supporting electoral candidates, Councilors, and Mayors for the complexities of governance in an uncertain world.

As our communities face increasingly volatile conditions and the sector faces multiple skills and resourcing crises (particularly in rural and regional areas) there is a critical need for innovation.

The MAVlab Futures of Local Innovation program aims to invest in the capability development of the sector, with a focus on strategic foresight and insights to strengthen an "anticipatory muscle” to flex into new challenges. We aim for a well-equipped, financially sound, sustainable and efficient local government sector. This will be supported by a robust community of practice focused on local government innovation, and a range of initiatives to build skills and capability to enable the sector to step up and meet the significant challenges ahead.

Learn more about current projects in this program:

CONNECT

Subscribe to MAVlab newsletter for updates:

Sign up to MAVlab newsletter

Subscribe to MAVlab Updates

Get in touch via MAVlab@mav.asn.au.