Complex problems need more than good intentions.
We bring First Nations leadership, behavioural science, systems thinking and evaluation together to create change that lasts.
Complex social challenges rarely have simple solutions.
Programs operate within systems. Behaviour is shaped by environments, relationships, culture, services, policy, resources and opportunity. And meaningful change cannot be designed without the people and communities it affects.
The Indigenous Impact Lab brings these pieces together.
We combine First Nations leadership and knowledge with behavioural science, systems thinking, co-design, evaluation and implementation to help organisations move from understanding the problem to creating and measuring change.
We don't just tell organisations what is happening. We help them understand why—and what to do next.
First Nations-led. Evidence-informed. Implementation focused.
There are organisations that specialise in evaluation. Others specialise in strategy. Others facilitate community consultation. Others provide behavioural science.
We bring these capabilities together.
That means we can work with a client from the earliest stages of understanding a challenge through to designing a response, implementing it and measuring whether it worked.
First Nations leadership
Behavioural science
Systems thinking
Co-design
Evaluation
Implementation
How we work matters as much as what we deliver.
We don't parachute into communities.
We build relationships.
We don't undertake consultation simply to validate decisions that have already been made.
We create space for community authority to shape decisions.
We don't treat First Nations Peoples as the problem to be fixed.
We examine the systems, environments, policies and structures influencing outcomes—while recognising community strengths, knowledge and existing solutions.
We don't produce research simply to sit on a shelf.
We translate evidence into action.
Discover
Understand the context, evidence and challenge.
Listen
Centre First Nations knowledge, lived expertise and community priorities.
Understand
Identify strengths, behaviours, barriers, enablers and opportunities.
Map
Understand relationships, systems, pathways and leverage points.
Design
Co-design practical and evidence-informed solutions.
Implement
Translate strategy into action.
Measure
Understand outcomes, impact and what is changing.
Sustain
Strengthen capability, governance and systems for lasting change.
Five disciplines, brought together as one practice.
First Nations Co-design & Governance
Move beyond consultation.
Establish meaningful approaches to First Nations engagement, governance and co-design that centre community authority, knowledge and priorities.
Behavioural Science & Behaviour Change
Understand what drives behaviour before trying to change it.
Understand the factors shaping people's decisions, actions and experiences, alongside the social, cultural and environmental conditions in which they occur.
Systems Thinking & Strategy
See the whole system.
Identify relationships, structures, feedback loops, service pathways and leverage points that influence outcomes.
Evaluation & Impact
Know what's working, why it's working and what needs to change.
Design practical evaluation and measurement systems that help organisations demonstrate impact while continuously improving what they do.
Implementation & Continuous Improvement
Turn recommendations into action.
Stay alongside clients after the initial project to support implementation, measurement and continuous improvement.
Working across sectors where behaviour, systems and community outcomes intersect.
First Nations Organisations
Supporting ACCOs and First Nations-led organisations to strengthen evidence, demonstrate impact, develop strategy and secure sustainable investment.
Government
Supporting policy, program design, evaluation, community engagement, implementation and systems reform.
Health & Wellbeing
Working across prevention, public health, social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and community health.
Children, Families & Communities
Supporting initiatives across child wellbeing, family support, prevention, safety and community development.
Justice & Social Services
Working with organisations addressing complex systems involving justice, domestic and family violence, youth services, housing and social support.
Environment & Sustainability
Applying behavioural and systems approaches to environmental management, sustainability, conservation and community resilience.
Education
Supporting schools, universities and education providers with behavioural insights, evaluation, engagement and program design.
Industry & Not-for-profit
Helping organisations understand impact, strengthen community partnerships and translate strategy into measurable action.
Tell us what you're trying to change.
Whether you're developing a new initiative, strengthening an existing program, trying to understand a complex system or looking for a better way to demonstrate impact, we'd love to hear about it.
Start a Conversation →