Shoshama develops education, wellbeing and community development initiatives that develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and relationships needed to build strong and thriving communities.
We tackle the big questions affecting people and communities through a collective impact model that brings together individuals, communities, organisations, businesses, researchers, and governments around a shared goal for long-term, systemic change.
Our work brings together: grassroots leadership development, social enterprise incubation, Participatory research, intercultural dialogue and community place-making - recognising that meaningful change requires efforts in each of these areas to be integrated, rather than to happen in isolation.
By combining traditional knowledge, lived experience, scientific research and professional practice, we develop practical approaches that are grounded in evidence, informed by communities, and continually refined through practice.
How We Work
THE SHOSHAMA MODEL
Every major piece of work at Shoshama begins with a big-picture question about a challenge affecting people and communities. We call these our Lines of Inquiry.
Each of these questions is explored through a Collective Impact Initiative that brings together communities, organisations, businesses, researchers, governments, and other partners around a shared goal of addressing this challenge.
As each initiative grows, we develop it in two ways. Discovery Projects allow us to respond to emerging needs, test new ideas, and learn from practice, through what we refer to as our Lines of Action. At the same time, we use what we learn to strengthen our Flagship Programs, which form the shared infrastructure that supports current and future initiatives - an ongoing process we refer to as our Lines of Reflection.
This continuous cycle of inquiry, action, learning, and refinement is what we call the Shoshama Model.
Our Collective Impact Initiatives
COMMUNITY-LED CHANGE
How can marginalised communities be supported to shape their own futures?
Empowerment Ecosystems helps marginalised communities build the leadership, knowledge, relationships, and resources needed to shape their own futures. It brings people, organisations, and institutions together to strengthen community leadership, shared decision-making, and long-term community ownership.
ACADEMIC CONFIDENCE
How can every young person discover their hidden strengths and full potential?
Return to Genius helps children and young people build confidence, curiosity and strong foundations for learning through personalised individual and group coaching, peer-led programs and innovative educational approaches that utilise evidence-based instructional and youth development strategies.
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HOLISTIC WELLBEING
What helps people nurture all aspects of wellbeing, in a modern world?
Body Mind Spirit draws on diverse cultural traditions alongside contemporary research to investigate what wellbeing requires and how it can be developed in everyday life. It brings together movement, education, reflection, and community to explore practical approaches to living healthier, more balanced, and more connected lives.
Our Organisational Structure
THE SHOSHAMA GROUP
Our work is delivered through the Shoshama Group -three complementary entities working in unison: a purpose-led business, a consulting and innovation practice, and a not-for-profit organisation.
Together, they allow us to operate as a for-purpose social enterprise, combining commercial enterprise, consulting, philanthropy and community partnerships within a single structure. This structure helps build the independence, flexibility, and long-term sustainability needed to invest in community priorities, strengthen our community partners and support lasting community-led change.
All of our work is informed by the Collective Inheritance Framework and its four pillars.
Unity in diversity | Dialogue and mutual understanding | Collaboration | Individual and Collective Empowerment
