Joint Decision Making

The Joint Decision Making (JDM) process was established to enable local Aboriginal communities to have a stronger voice in funding decisions that impact them.

A diverse group of people, consisting of men and women of various ages, stand together posing for a photo in front of a building with large columns. The background hints at an Indigenous-Led Community Development on the Central Coast, with distant architectural features and a mountain under a gray, overcast sky.

A Stronger Community Voice on Funding Decisions

JDM panels drive, identify, and reward programs run by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Department of Social Services that are focused on empowering Aboriginal communities and investing in the capacity of Aboriginal community organisations. Barang regularly convenes JDM processes, through which panellists are selected to directly review funding and implementation for programs that affect them.

Better Policies and Stronger Aboriginal Organisations

JDM supports Indigenous self-determination, and allows Aboriginal community members on Darkinung country to have a say on the policies and programs that impact them. Over time, the community is seeing the benefits of JDM in incrementally improving service design and delivery, identifying service gaps, and expanding the capability of Aboriginal community organisations to serve community needs and generate sustainable employment.

Head to Get involved to find out more about becoming a member of the JDM Community Panel.

A large, diverse group of people pose together indoors, many smiling and raising their fists at a historic gathering. They stand and sit in rows, suggesting a celebratory or unified atmosphere. The background features colorful wall hangings. Some individuals hold a baby and a child.

Acknowledgement

Barang Regional Alliance acknowledges the Darkinjung People as the traditional owners, caretakers and custodians of the lands, seas and waterways of the Central Coast – the land in which we live, work and operate.

Barang Regional Alliance also acknowledges Traditional Owners, Caretakers and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the significance of continued and ongoing connection to lands, sea, water and culture. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to our Elders, both past and present. 

Please note that this website may contain images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that are deceased and acknowledge that this may cause distress for some people. Barang has been granted full permission to utilise all images contained within and we respectfully request that no image, text or information is replicated or used from this website, or any documents contained within, without first seeking full permission from Barang Regional Alliance in writing. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions in relation to this.