This report describes results from a co-designed participatory outcome evaluation of Local Decision Making (LDM), an initiative under the OCHRE (Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment) plan for Aboriginal affairs in New South Wales (NSW). 

The evaluation investigates whether the initiative is achieving what it set out to do across five LDM sites. The evaluation is guided by a strengths-based methodology that weaves together First Nations knowledge with that of the public sector and academia. 

The key finding of the stage two evaluation is that the LDM initiative is a valuable policy initiative worth strengthening, with real potential to deliver change within LDM communities. The LDM initiative can operate as a centrepiece of Aboriginal public policy infrastructure in NSW, supporting other initiatives and programs, and facilitating self-determination over Aboriginal service delivery in NSW. 

LDM offers an opportunity for NSW agencies to engage and participate in realising the NSW Government’s public promise to begin the journey of sharing authority and decision making while ultimately working toward the devolution of decision making to communities. The report makes recommendations about ongoing improvement of the LDM initiative.