Platform One Foundation Charitable Trust

Starting from the community side.

Platform One Foundation exists to empower communities to act on what matters locally and turn that action into lasting community value. We provide a practical framework that maintains continuity as people, projects and partnerships change.

This helps communities turn local priorities into action, engage with established organisations on fair terms while remaining independent, and keep more of the value they help create in community hands.

Energy is the first area in which this approach is being demonstrated, through WE Share Community Power on Waiheke Island.

Who We Are

Platform One Foundation is an independent charitable foundation focused on helping communities build a defined, recognised and enduring place in the systems that affect their lives — able to participate meaningfully and share fairly in the value they help create.

Platform One starts from the community side — with what matters locally and the people who want to act — helping them work alongside established organisations on fair terms while remaining independent.

Our role is to provide continuity and a framework that helps communities maintain their purpose, while carrying forward the principles and learning that help this way of working develop over time.

We do not speak or make decisions on behalf of communities. We help strengthen the community side so people can act on what matters locally, engage confidently on fair terms, and keep more of the value they help create in community hands.

What We Do

If something in Platform One’s approach connects with what you are doing, or you would simply like to start a conversation, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We welcome conversations with communities, organisations and others interested in turning local priorities into practical action and keeping more value in community hands.

How We Work

Our work is grounded in:

  • community-first purpose
  • starting with what matters locally
  • independence and constructive partnership
  • voluntary and meaningful participation
  • transparency, accountability and ethical practice
  • fair recognition and fair sharing of value
  • keeping community benefit in community hands
  • long-term stewardship
  • respect for privacy, data and informed participation
  • care for the environment and future generations
  • learning from evidence and experience

These principles help communities take part with confidence, remain independent, work with others on fair terms, and keep community benefit at the heart of what they do.

Contact Platform One Foundation

Starting from the community side

If something in Platform One’s approach connects with what you are doing, or you would simply like to start a conversation, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We welcome conversations with communities, organisations and others interested in turning local priorities into practical action and keeping more value in community hands.

For a practical demonstration of our work in community energy on Waiheke, WE Share Community Power is the place to start.