Third Thursday – Special Edition – Matt Pfahlert – ACRE
About Our Third Thursday Guest: Matt Pfahlert
Matt Pfahlert is the co-founder and CEO of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (Acre). A passionate advocate for rural community rejuvenation, Matt has dedicated his career to fostering agile, resilient, and inclusive economies in Australia’s smaller, struggling communities. His work leverages global insights and methods, including strategic doing and social enterprise models, to develop youth enterprise capabilities, support local leadership, and build sustainable ecosystems. Under his leadership, Acre has not only driven significant successes in numerous Australian rural towns but has also established influential partnerships worldwide.
Timestamp Overview
00:00 Matt from Acre shares Strizzy experience.
03:59 Rural Australians face entrenched disadvantage and decline.
07:29 Entrepreneurship leverages community assets for sustainable change.
12:11 Community investment secured site through philanthropy support.
15:08 Rural communities questioned, rebuilding, strategic doing, transparency.
17:46 Community-driven strategic doing fosters transformative local change.
24:48 Self-organization fosters shared values and collaboration.
26:23 Deep impact through layered community knowledge networks.
30:03 Healthy skepticism requires genuine access to assets.
34:06 Training staff on strategic doing with workshops.
37:51 Collaboration with diverse groups advanced community hub.
41:33 Expanding marketing reach within social enterprise community.
44:38 We’ll connect and collaborate with partners again.
Key Themes
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: Special event for Southern Hemisphere.
- Global Collaboration: Training courses involving New Zealand and Australia.
- Strategic Doing: Organic growth and structured promotion.
- Community Commitment: Mallacoota founders’ dedication to training.
- Social Enterprises: Supporting volunteer-run community hubs.
- Networking Platforms: Word of mouth, emails, newsletters.
- Community Development: Enterprise capabilities, leadership, ecosystems.
About the Interview
How Agile Strategies and Community Engagement are Revitalizing Rural Australia
The revitalization of rural communities is a journey filled with perseverance, ingenuity, and collective effort. Communities far removed from urban centers often struggle with systemic disadvantages, limited resources, and a lack of sustainable economic opportunities. In this landscape, initiatives like “strategic doing” have become game-changers, helping to reshape the futures of such areas. This blog delves into insights shared by Matt Pfahlert of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (Acre) on how strategic doing is making a difference in rural Australia, alongside other content from a recent Third Thursday discussion.
The Vision of Acre: Empowering Rural Australia
At the heart of the conversation was the mission of Acre, co-founded by Matt Pfahlert, which focuses on renewing rural communities in Australia. Matt outlined the dire reality: many rural Australians face entrenched disadvantages not seen in urban areas. These challenges have driven Acre to pivot their focus towards creating inclusive, resilient, and agile economies that can withstand the test of time and adversity.
Key aspects of Acre’s approach involve developing enterprise capabilities among youth, supporting local leadership, and fostering ecosystem building within communities. By focusing on these pillars, Acre aims to inspire rural areas to take charge of their destinies and cultivate new pathways to prosperity.
Strategic Doing: A Catalyst for Change
A major theme in Matt’s discussion was “strategic doing,” a methodology designed to harness community energy and embed ongoing change into the community fabric. Unlike traditional strategic planning, strategic doing is agile and responsive, making it particularly well-suited for the complex and often unpredictable nature of rural economic development.
The method encourages self-organization within communities, aiming to leverage local assets and foster innovation. Strategic doing aligns perfectly with Acre’s mission of not creating new charities but utilizing strategic thinking to make current resources effective.
Cultural Bridges and Community Training
Highlighting cultural dynamics, Matt shared an interesting anecdote about facilitating a course in Alabama with individuals from New Zealand and Australia. This cross-continental collaboration underscored cultural differences but also revealed universal challenges and solutions in community work.
Matt’s organization has deepened its commitment to understanding and implementing strategic doing by hosting experts like Mary Marshall and Janice. Their training sessions aim to expand the methodology’s reach in Australia and empower local leaders. Communities like Mallacoota have shown remarkable dedication, with founders willing to travel significant distances for training.
Inspirational Stories and Community Impact
Rhonda’s story provided a powerful testament to the impact of Acre’s programs. She described the acre program as not just inspirational but a practical means to unify disparate community groups. Her community hub, run entirely by volunteers and sustained through grants and philanthropy, offers essential services like coworking spaces, remote learning facilities, and areas for craft meetings. These services enhance local employment and connectedness.
Rhonda’s enthusiasm for delivering merchandise personally to trainers like Mary-Marshall and Janice added a personal touch to the conversation, showcasing the close-knit nature of these community efforts.
Marketing and Outreach Strategy
Touching upon marketing strategies, Matt emphasized the importance of reviewing all communication channels. Acre maintains a strong connection to the social enterprise community in Australia, primarily through the social enterprise networks of Victoria, and plans to expand beyond rural communities using LinkedIn, mailing lists, and Instagram.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that the stories of success and the ongoing work in communities are shared widely, fostering a broader understanding and appreciation of strategic doing.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Trust
Communities often approach new methodologies with skepticism, especially if they have had negative experiences with strategic planning in the past. Matt highlighted the importance of focusing on assets that communities can control and building trust through relationships.
The layered and deepening approach, rather than a superficial engagement, is crucial for lasting impact. Encouraging self-selection into projects and supporting community-driven initiatives help maintain long-term engagement and build trust.
Conclusion: A Brighter Future for Rural Communities
The Third Thursday discussion concluded with an optimistic outlook for the future. By employing strategic doing and fostering genuine community involvement, organizations like Acre are not just addressing current challenges but are laying the groundwork for sustainable, resilient rural economies. The commitment from communities, the dedication to training and self-improvement, and the innovative approach to problem-solving collectively herald a brighter future for rural Australia.
Matt’s words encapsulated the mission best: “Success is about equipping the next generation and working cross-sectorally to empower community members, especially those with a genuine connection to and concern for their communities.” With continued dedication, rural communities can indeed transform their destinies.
