Let’s be honest: when things go pear-shaped, it’s too easy to point the finger at “the government.” Roads need fixing? Blame the council. No jobs? Blame the state. Earthquake in another country? Somehow, that’s on the feds too. Sure, being critical of governments is important—we should hold them to account—but somewhere along the line, blaming them for everything has become the ultimate cop-out.

The Minor Works Program is a counterpunch to this blame game. It’s about flipping the script and encouraging people to take responsibility for their community, their environment, and their lives. It’s about showing that while governments have their role, so do we.

Moving Beyond the Blame Game

Our society tends to see responsibility as a neat pie chart: one slice for individuals, another for communities, and a hefty wedge dumped on the government. The trouble is, this approach often leads to finger-pointing instead of problem-solving. The Minor Works Program aims to tip the balance by fostering a culture where people take charge of what they care about.

This isn’t about replacing the government or letting them off the hook. It’s about unlocking grassroots energy and supporting it with a simple system that helps good ideas go from “wouldn’t it be great if…” to “look what we did!”

A Simple Idea Factory

Here’s how it works:

1. Got an Idea? You start by pitching your idea at something like a Soup Night—think Shark Tank but with soup and less pressure. You get a chance to convince your neighbours why your idea rocks.

2. Does It Have Legs? If the idea sticks, we help you test it in Spark Sessions. This is where you gather support and figure out how to make it happen. Can you get others behind it? Do you have a plan? Great—let’s keep going.

3. Get It Off the Ground: With the community on board, we connect you with the people and resources you need to take it further—funders, council staff, and others who can help you bring your idea to life.

It’s about keeping things simple and practical while giving everyone a fair go.

Breaking the Rules That Don’t Work

One of our favorite parts? Smashing through the usual red tape. Systems often block people with good ideas because of gatekeeping, bureaucracy, or plain old “this is how we’ve always done it.” That’s where the Minor Works Program steps in, cutting through the nonsense and finding better ways to get things done.

We want to rewrite the rulebook so communities aren’t just playing by someone else’s rules.

No Excuses—Your Idea, Your Responsibility

Here’s the kicker: the Minor Works Program isn’t about doing it all for you. If you think your idea is worth it, you’ve got to convince others. Bring your neighbours on board. Build the plan together. We’ll give you tools and resources, but the heavy lifting? That’s on you.

Why? Because when people take responsibility, the results aren’t just better—they’re transformative.

A Culture Shift, One Idea at a Time

Sure, this might sound a bit lofty, but stick with us: we reckon this could change not just neighborhoods but how people think about community altogether. If we can show that a group of people can come together, solve problems, and build something meaningful, why couldn’t other communities do the same?

The Minor Works Program isn’t about patching potholes (though we’re fans of smooth roads). It’s about patching the way we think—replacing blame with action and passivity with purpose.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the deal: if you’ve got a great idea for your community, don’t sit on it. Bring it forward. Convince your neighbours it’s worth it. Build a team, make a plan, and let’s get it done.

The Minor Works Program isn’t here to save the day for you. It’s here to help you save it yourself. And hey, wouldn’t it be nice to spend less time shaking fists at the government and more time high-fiving each other for what we’ve built?

Let’s own our patch and make it better.

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