For years, “consultation” has been the go-to word in community engagement. It sounds collaborative, it signals good intention, and it gives the impression that communities are actively shaping decisions. But in reality, consultation often means something much smaller being asked for feedback on decisions that have already been made.
Trust can’t grow in that environment.
The Trust + Flows research shows that genuine trust requires agency, not just input. It grows when communities have the power to help shape priorities, decisions, and solutions not just comment on them. When governments or organisations move from consultation to co-creation, the power dynamic shifts. People stop feeling like they are being “informed” and start feeling like they are being invited.
Co-creation is not simply a method; it’s a mindset. It requires openness, flexibility, and the willingness to share control. It asks institutions to trust that communities hold knowledge that is just as valuable as formal expertise. And it asks communities to trust institutions enough to engage honestly, even when the conversations are uncomfortable.
We’ve seen this shift locally through groups like the Wide Bay Workforce Advisory Council (WAC). Over the past year, WAC discussions have been shaped not by pre-set agendas, but by lived experience from across the region from educators, health workers, social service providers, and industry partners. People bring real stories, real challenges, and real solutions, and because every voice in the room carries weight, the group operates as collaborators rather than consultees.
That is co-creation in action: shared ownership of both the problem and the solution.
This approach strengthens trust because it respects community intelligence, acknowledges diverse experience, and creates space for people to meaningfully influence outcomes. When people feel ownership, they invest. When they feel heard, they stay engaged. And when they see their contributions shaping real decisions, trust deepens.
Moving from consultation to co-creation isn’t just a better process it’s a deeper promise. It says: We don’t just want your opinion. We want your partnership.
Project: Do Governments Trust Communities? The Trust Flows Project Research Report
Research Stream: Building Resilience to Social Harms
Authors: Mark Duckworth, Christine Horn, Michele Grossman
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56311/FZLZ2190
Duckworth, Mark, Christine Horn, Michele Grossman, (2024) Do Governments Trust Communities? The Trust Flows Project Research Report. Melbourne: Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies.
