Useful Links

International Level

• OECD Better Life Index 
  An interactive tool for visualising wellbeing outcomes in OECD countries.
• OECD Global Project - Measuring the Progress of Societies 
  OECD and international organisations developing a new approach to measure society's progress.
• European Union Social Indicator Framework
  Broad, well researched multi-nation reporting system with strong social development emphasis.
• UN Development Program (UNDP) Annual Human Development Reports
  Pioneered new international social measures in contrast to GDP.
• World development indicators
  World Bank’s compilation of data about development. Time series data from 1960 onwards.
• Community Indicators Consortium (CIC) 
  CIC's website is a resource for individuals and organizations working to improve the use of indicators for better planning, decision-making and communities' quality of life. 

International - National Level

• Community Accounts
  Innovative Canadian information system providing data on key social and economic indicators for Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Canada Wellbeing Measurement Act 2003
  Legislation establishing framework for national wellbeing reporting.
• Canadian Quality of Life Societal Indicators Project, Canadian Policy Research Network
  Outstanding Canadian project involving extensive citizen participation in identifying priorities for Quality of life Indicators.
• Government of Denmark, ‘International Benchmarking of Denmark’
  The structural monitoring system map Denmark´s international position in a number of key areas.
• Index of Social Health
  Social disadvantage index for USA and Canada.
• North Central Regional Centre for Rural Development
  US, extensive reference list of social indicators.
• New Economics Foundation 
  
  The new economics foundation is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic wellbeing. For over a decade nef has been calling on the UK government to measures people's wellbeing and recognise the limitations of measuring economic growth. In February 2011 nef released an informative report on measuring the progress of societies which can be accessed here.  
• UK Quality of Life Counts Indicators
  Triple bottom line national reporting and policy framework with very detailed indicators.
• US Government Performance and Results Act 1993
  Requires US government departments to report on key outcomes.

International - Region and City Level 

• Alberta Measuring Up (Canada)
  Rigorous government performance measures.
• Eugene Deliberative Democracy project (US)
  Includes ‘Citizen Budget’ and other innovations.
• GPI Atlantic Community Progress Indicators, Nova Scotia (Canada)
  Outstanding research based project.
• Minnesota Milestones (US)
  Good on ‘vision’ and broad goals determining indicators.
• Minnesota Milestones (US)
  Trend analysis on community indicators.
• Oregon Benchmarks (US)
  Benchmark report 2005.
• Oregon Shines (US)
  Strongest on benchmarks and measures.
• Portland Multnomah (US)
  Identifies, monitors, and reports on indicators (named Benchmarks) for important community-wide goals.
• Quality of Life in Jacksonville (US)
  One of longest running US projects at city level.
• Redefining Progress (US)
  Key US research, community action centre on indicators.
• SmartGuelph (Canada)
  Model project. Integrated indicators, strong citizen involvement, well documented.
• Sustainable Seattle (US)
  Influential project focussing on sustainability issues and community involvement
• Tucson, Arizona: Livable Tucson (US)
  Community indicators report.

Australia - Statewide

• Victorian Child and Adolescent Monitoring System (VCAMS)
  Outcome and monitoring data on child and adolescent wellbeing 
• ACT State of the Territory
  Comprehensive report on community wellbeing by Territory government
• Sustainability Indicators e Guide
  Regional Sustainability Alliance - Ballarat Region
• Tasmania Together
  Key Australian project, using indicators, goals, community participation, integrated into policy
• The Office for the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
  The Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability is an independent voice that advocates, audits and reports on environmental sustainability in Victoria
• WA whole of government planning and reporting
  Government department performance indicators addressing community outcomes
• Growing Victoria Together
  State progress plan with key performance indicators, but also supporting wider wellbeing frameworks.

• Australian Community Indicators Network
• Designed to assist people use and develop community indicators.
• Australian Unity Wellbeing Index
  Australia's first comprehensive measure of personal and national wellbeing.
• Australian National Development Index (ANDI) 
  The business prospectus for a new national index that has been prososed for measuring progress in Australia..
• Genuine Progress Indicator (Australia)
  Alternative to GDP, includes social and environmental costs etc.
• Measuring Australia’s Progress
  Key ABS national progress measurement project, bi-ennial.
• Unequal in Life
  National community based survey of living standards and inequality in Australian communities.

Australia - Local Areas 

• Brisbane City Council (Qld)
  Living in Brisbane 2026 community plan.
• City of Onkaparinga (SA)
  Strategic Community Indicators details.
• Glenorchy City Council (Tas)
  Community Plan
• Hurstville Council (NSW)
  Hurstville Snapshots, Annual Community Wellbeing report.
• Newcastle City Council (NSW)
  Sustainable Community Indicators details.
• Waverley Council (NSW)
  State of the environment report.
• ABS - Services We Provide to Local Government
  These information pages aim to help you find ABS data and other resources of interest to Local Government on the ABS website, including information about ABS statistical and other training available to Local Government clients.

Victoria - Local Areas

• Bass Coast Shire Council
  10 year Community Plan based on participation of over 1000 citizens
• City of Greater Dandenong
  Community plan with detailed progress indicators, an ongoing ‘customer research’ panel from local citizens. Has begun a community survey on wellbeing priorities.
• City of Port Phillip
  ‘Sustainable Community Progress Indicators’ developed with citizen participation.
• Hume City Council
  Citizen based Social Justice Charter with local ‘social justice indicators’
• Maribyrnong Council
  Developed a community plan: ‘Our Community’s Future’ which has involved 20,000 residents, incorporated in council plan 2003-2006.
• Moreland Council
  Publishes detailed social, economic and environmental wellbeing indicators, three year plan with key goals and indicators based on community input, and a ‘Consultation Framework’.
• Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
  Has developed a ‘Sustainable Peninsula’ strategic community plan, including community forums and progress indicators.
• Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA)
  Is a network that shares information, coordinates emission reduction activities and cooperates on the research and development of innovative projects.
• Nillumbik Shire Council
  Has established a ‘Community Planning Think Tank’ and a series of community planning workshops.
• Surf Coast Shire Council
  Developing a Shire wide Community Plan, with separate township plan and wellbeing indicators informed by extensive community research and input.
• Wyndham Council
  Produces a ‘Quality Community Plan’ with citizen involvement; progress and wellbeing reporting through a ‘Report Card’. Operates an ongoing Community Panel consulting with up to 500 local citizens on wellbeing issues.
• Yarra Ranges Shire Council
  Has developed ‘Vision 2020 Community Plan’, a long term community based sustainability strategy integrating economic, social and environmental wellbeing goals.

Research Centres and Thinktanks

• Canadian Policy Research Network
  Includes work on: citizen’s dialogues; building capacity for public involvement; research on public involvement issues and themes.
• GPI Atlantic Community Progress Indicators, Nova Scotia (Canada)
  Genuine Progress Index (GPI) - a new measure of sustainability, wellbeing and quality of life consisting of 22 social, economic and environmental components
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) (US and international)
  A research and policy development organisation aimed and change for sustainable development.
• Sustainable Measures (general indicators clearing house)
  Index and guide to sustainability measures.
• The Australian Centre on Quality of Life
  This site includes the Australian Unity Wellbeing index. The 2005 report focuses on City and Country Living which is particularly interesting in relation to identifying diverse needs and interests between metropolitan and rural and regional councils.
• The European Public Health Alliance
  The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) represents over 100 non-governmental and other not-for-profit organisations working on public health in Europe. The EPHA website includes the links to a comprehensive set of health indicators as well as extensive publications and resource materials on health measurement and related issues.
• The New Economic Foundation (nef).
  An independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being.

Support Foundations

• Atkinson Charitable Foundation (Canada)
  Both foundations give priority to community progress measurement projects with citizen engagement
• Glaser Progress Foundation (US)
  Both foundations give priority to community progress measurement projects with citizen engagement

If you have any useful links (specific to Community Indicators or a related field) please submit them via the Contact Us page.