Our 20-year evaluation partnership with Ganbina

How building evidence has helped Ganbina scale their impact.

The role that evidence plays in our work with Ganbina is central. We can talk all we want about impact and what’s being created, but we need appropriate evidence to be able to prove that.” Simon Faivel • Director, SVA Consulting

For 20 years, SVA has partnered with Ganbina to strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and their communities.

Drawing on deep evaluation expertise, we have helped demonstrate what works for the people and communities who participate in Ganbina’s life-changing programs. This evidence, in turn, supports Ganbina to expand its footprint across Australia, and scale its impact.

“We have supported Ganbina to define its strategy, and conducted numerous evaluations…”

“It’s so important knowing what communities are saying and thinking about the program, which enables us to review programs along the way,” says Anthony Cavanagh, Ganbina CEO.

Since the partnership began in 2003, it has evolved from providing early venture funding and capability building into a robust and trusting consulting relationship.

“We have supported Ganbina to define its strategy, and conducted numerous evaluations, including longitudinal studies and Social Return on Investment (SROI) assessments,” says Simon Faivel, Director of SVA Consulting.

A school-to-career program that helps young people reach their goals

Ganbina has a long-term vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve true social and economic equality within two generations.

It was established in 1997 and has created a leading wrap-around school-to-career transition program for young people aged 5-25 years old.

Deeply embedded in the Shepparton community in the Goulburn Valley, the model empowers Indigenous youth, like Soraya, to achieve their education, employment and training goals.

“I’ve done a full circle and I’m now employed with Ganbina,” says Soraya Atkinson, Ganbina’s Project Expansion Manager, who participated in the program as a teenager.

“I am where I am today because of the support from Ganbina.”

The program has contributed to substantial improvements in year 12 completion rates: 89% compared with as low as 40% elsewhere.

People at the centre of every evaluation

SVA’s evaluations are centred around the value created for all people and stakeholders impacted by the program. Consistently, we’ve been able to show significant social returns, demonstrating Ganbina’s ability to create meaningful and lasting change for the people, families and communities it serves.

With its proven success, Ganbina has attracted diverse funders and partners, remaining independent of government funding. And since 2018, it has shared its model with two communities in Queensland.

We have reviewed the success of these two pilot sites, providing important insights as Ganbina now explores further expansion across Australia and internationally.

Trusted, respectful partnerships

Over the past 20 years, we have consistently been impressed with Ganbina’s commitment to systematic outcomes data collection and its focus on generational change.

As Simon says, “The data-driven approach Ganbina employs ensures their programs are effective and continually improving, adapting to the needs of the communities they serve.”

And equally, Ganbina have recognised our team for their contributions to Ganbina’s life-changing work, with its ‘Exceptional Service Award’.

We are honoured to continue working side by side with Ganbina and look forward to supporting Anthony and the team as they continue to grow their impact.