Many Hands International

Many Hands International (MHI) is an Australianregistered notforprofit organisation working to improve the lives of people in some of the world s most disadvantaged communities. Our work is grounded in a cultural assetsbased approach to community and economic development. We believe that for many communities living in poverty or recovering from violent conflict, rebuilding cultural knowledge and practice is fundamental to achieving community health and wellbeing. Through participatory and empowering processes, we help communities identify their cultural assets and apply traditional knowledge in innovative ways that generate social and economic opportunities. Our programs aim to contribute to cultural, social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. In 2024, MHI focused on strengthening cultural governance in rural TimorLeste, expanding creative engagement opportunities, safeguarding cultural heritage, and building sustainable community structures most notably through the establishment and launch of the Lautem Cultural Alliance and the creation of a Cultural Development Plan for the Lautem Region.