Prevention in Place shines spotlight on place-based approaches
The Prevention in Place Conference, held in May 2025, brought together nearly 300 passionate people from across the country, all working in their own ways to strengthen communities and tackle complex social challenges — from alcohol and other drug harm to youth disengagement, family wellbeing and beyond.
Dr Erin Lalor AM, CEO, Alcohol and Drug Foundation
What really stood out was the power of shared voices and the recognition that community is everybody. We’re all part of the systems we’re trying to improve, and real change comes when we connect across those systems — government, sectors and communities — and truly listen.
We heard loud and clear that community capacity already exists and any efforts to build capacity need to be led by community.
We also heard we need to build capacity across the system, including within funders and government, to better understand and support what genuine community-led change looks like. That means properly resourcing local leaders and making space for them to shape solutions.
Evaluation was a hot topic. Many questioned whether collecting more data is the answer. What we need instead are accessible, insightful tools like dashboards that clearly show outcomes, and stories that communities can shape and share.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation is now reflecting on everything that was shared and considering: how do we tell the stories of what needs to change, and what’s already working? How do we better communicate the future of place-based prevention?
This is a pivotal moment for prevention. Let’s keep building momentum, together.