Project Description
CivicConn is a simple, scalable toolkit to help new citizens and vulnerable groups build confidence in engaging with Australian democracy, community life, and the digital world. It tackles three connected challenges: declining civic participation, weakening trust in government, and rising digital harms such as scams and misinformation.
CivicConn combines:
- Deliver Digital Welcome Packs – translated civic and digital safety resources provided at arrival, through myGov, at the citizenship ceremony, or during election periods.
- Run Civic Refresh Touchpoints – simple reminders, quizzes, and national “Have you connected?” or “Have you become more digital?” days in schools and workplaces.
- Host Neighbourhood Mentoring & Events – connect settled migrants with new arrivals and activate vacant facilities for regular civic and social activities.
- Create Community Pop-Ups – fun and practical booths in shopping centres and local hubs with interactive resources.
- Offer Device Onboarding – optional digital safety training when people buy new electronic devices, with guardian options for children and vulnerable groups.
The solution builds trust, strengthens belonging, and empowers communities to safely navigate both civic processes and online spaces. It can start as a local pilot and scale nationally, aligning with the Australian Government’s Data & Digital Strategy for 2030.
The name CivicConn combines “Civic” (relating to citizenship, democracy, and community) with “Conn” (short for connection). It reflects our core mission: helping people connect with civic knowledge, connect with their communities, and connect safely in the digital world. It also hints at “confidence” and “convention”, reinforcing that this is about building trust and shared understanding across society.
Data Story
Full list of data sources in project page.
Particularly, CivicConn is grounded in evidence from trusted government and research sources:
- ABS Online Safety (2022) – 75% of adults experienced online harm in the past year, up from 58% in 2019.
- ACCC Targeting Scams Report (2024) – $2.03 billion lost to scams in 2024, with CALD, older people, and people with disability facing higher per-person losses.
- APS Reform – Trust in Public Services (2024) – 58% of Australians trust public services, but only 33% trust the Federal Government.
- Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion (2024) – 19% of Australians report no sense of neighbourhood belonging; the belonging index has dropped 10 points since 2020.
- APS Democracy Survey (2023) – 95% of Australians value democracy, but only 59% are satisfied with how it works; 72% are concerned about misinformation during elections.
These data points show why a new framework is urgently needed: Australians want to engage and value democracy, but trust, safety, and belonging are fragile. CivicConn uses this evidence to design targeted solutions that are practical, inclusive, and scalable.
