This working paper by Dr Tasha Riley outlines a project called "Community Connections" that aims to facilitate community-based research (CBR) and work-integrated learning (WIL/WEXP) activities involving community organisations, university educators, and researchers in learning and research exchange. The paper provides an overview of community-based research as a methodology that emphasizes the involvement and participation of communities in all stages of the research and learning process. The "Community Connections" project is a web-based and Community-Based Learning and Research Exchange Hub committed to developing and promoting community-based research, learning, and teaching that maintains high ethical standards and rigour and ensures community participation in all research and learning processes. The project's current scope will serve community and university researchers and lecturers focusing on critical social problems within the community as an organizing framework. The paper provides a rationale for the project, highlighting the need for collaborative research and learning opportunities between community organizations and academic institutions to bridge the gap between theory and practice and build research capacity across organizations and communities.