Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG) – Collaborative Commissioning

The Queensland Places Network’s first Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG) on Collaborative Commissioning brings together leaders from government, philanthropy, community, academia, intermediary organisations and place-based initiatives from across Queensland.

Led by Logan Together, the two-day forum explores what it takes to commission differently – not as theory or another framework, but as practical, place-based work shaped alongside communities.

Participants challenge traditional approaches to commissioning, investment and accountability and consider how communities, funders and decision-makers can work together from the beginning, rather than operating in separate parts of the process.

The event focuses not only on identifying barriers, but on the conditions needed to make collaborative commissioning possible in practice, including strong relationships, trusted local infrastructure, shared responsibility and long-term investment.

“What stood out across the two days was the appetite to move beyond consultation and towards genuine shared responsibility for outcomes.”

What the event explores

• Moving beyond consultation towards shared responsibility
• Community-informed commissioning and investment
• Stronger collaboration across sectors
• Trust, relationships and local infrastructure
• More responsive and connected systems
• Long-term support for place-based work

The forum builds momentum for a more joined-up approach to commissioning – one that values community knowledge, strengthens shared decision-making and supports better outcomes for children, families and communities.