Foundations Training
The Sydney Alliance is a civil society coalition whose mission is to provide our community with a voice to express our common values and aspirations for a fair and just Sydney.
Foundations training is based on the philosophy and practices developed by the Industrial Areas Foundation in over 65 years of successful organising. These ideas are translated to an Australian context to cover the essentials of community organising and how we implement it here in Sydney.
Vaka 2026: Journeying Together for the Common Good
25th, 26th & 27th February 2026 | Centre for Ministry, North Parramatta, NSW
Grounded and hosted in the Uniting Church Pasifika tradition and open to all who share a vision for the common good across this continent and Te Moana. Vaka blends scripture, community organising skills training and cultural connection as we organise around climate, immigration, workers rights, housing and much more. There will be a national and Trans-Tasman focus.
We encourage Pasika leaders from all denominations and Alliance allies from all faiths and none to join us - the curriculum for Vaka will draw heavily from Alliance Foundations Training, integrated with culture and Christian scripture.
2026 2-Day Foundations Training
Saturdays - 21 & 28 March 2026 | Ashfield Baptist Church
This introductory course on the principles of community organising is free to members of partner organisations of the Sydney Alliance.
When registering, check on the Organisation dropdown list to see if your organisation is a partner. There is a tiered course fee for non-partner individuals and organisations.
Organisations interested in exploring partnership with the Sydney Alliance are also encouraged to participate and to get a feel for the coalition.
The training is interactive, thoughtful and made for people with all levels of experience. Concepts worked through include power, our roles as public people and what strong organisations look like. As practical as it is theoretical, we teach the tools to start building public relationships and working through the organising cycle to solve problems in our communities. These tools are transferable for strengthening our own organisations - whether community organisations, unions or religious organisations - as well as key to building the Alliance’s shared work together.
Topics at Foundations training include:
Community Organising: based on the history and tradition of our religious, union and community organisations
Relational Organising: individual relational meetings, listening assemblies, research, negotiation and action
Strengthening our Organisations: building a culture that is relational, action oriented and reflective/learning
Using Relational Power in the public sphere to take collaborative action on common issues.
Partner organisations are encouraged to send leaders and members to participate. It is an important space to connect with other organisations and to develop skills in community organising. Training is free for members of partner organisations.
Organisations interested in exploring partnership with the Sydney Alliance are also encouraged to participate and to get a feel for the coalition
If you have any questions, contact admin@sydneyalliance.org.au.
