Social Enterprise News

GIINsight has released a research paper on Emerging Trends in Impact Investing. 

The summary of market insights is as follows:

1. Impact investors perceive significant industry evolution, though challenges remain in managing impact and navigating regulatory developments 

2. Investors plan to allocate capital toward emerging markets in the future, despite the recent focus on developed markets 

3. Impact investors are pursuing climate solutions across their portfolios

Read more here.

In this world where opportunities are endless and the expectations on entrepreneurs only continue to increase, it can be easy for founders to get lost in the chaos.

Enter: The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Institute for Resilient Regions' WiRE (Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises) Program – a capability-building program and a support network for regional, rural and remote women to excel in business, build connections, and learn how to market themselves and their business to the world.

Darling Downs business owner Liz Couchman joined the WiRE Program in 2023 after purchasing her child sensory play business, Clever Bugs.

"I decided to participate in the WiRE Program because I felt isolated and alone working from home on my rural property; I had no one to 'talk shop' with," Mrs Couchman said.

"It was great to connect with other inspiring women. I not only learnt so much from the knowledge sessions and from the other members, but I also found skills and talents that I wanted to use for new business ideas" she said.

"Connecting with other like-minded people on the same path gave me momentum and a sense of belonging that is sometimes lacking in the small business world – especially working rurally or remotely."

Social Enterprise Australia is collaborating with SXSW Sydney to offer 500 free Industry Badges. This opportunity aims to bring together people working in the social enterprise, cultural and creative sectors - across Tech and Innovation, Screen, Music and Games. 

The badges grant full access to the SXSW Sydney Conference and a host of events and activities tailored to your industry of choice.

Attend SXSW Sydney 2023 to access world-class content, connect with thousands of purpose-driven people and engage in deep collaboration with sector actors.

Register here.

The Pause Awards are an annual programme that recognises and celebrates the most ambitious and effective companies and individuals in Australia. 

The Pause Awards, over the years, have become the home for champions for Australia’s golden circle of business, connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with powerful mentors and clients. Names like MrYum, Verve Super, Quad Lock, Linktree, Airwallex, and Heaps Normal have all benefited from our awards platform.

Pause Awards are highly competitive and honours under five key Category Tracks: Growth, Excellence, Operators, Good and Culture. 

Learn more here!

Civik, a new social enterprise incubated by White Box Enterprises, has officially launched in Cairns with a bold goal to create 250 jobs for people who face barriers to employment, all while addressing the labour shortages facing the telecommunications industry.

The people-centred organisation will train and employ individuals who face barriers to work in regional Australia, giving them the skills and confidence to pursue careers in construction, engineering and telecommunications.

Read more here.

This one-of-a-kind opportunity will support leaders with disability to increase their governance knowledge and access to board positions. 

Australian Network on Disability and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) are offering 15 full-fee scholarships to undertake either the Foundations of Directorship program or the Company Directors Course at AICD.  Plus, 8 months of mentoring with an Australian business leader to help winners maximise their board career opportunities. 

The Directing Change Scholarships are aimed at increasing the representation of people with disability on Australian boards by supporting emerging and experienced leaders with disability. 1 in 5 people in Australia have a disability, however, this number is far from represented at executive and board level positions.  

Low awareness, confidence, and capability of Directors to welcome and include people with disability on Boards; along with fewer opportunities for leaders with disability to access learning and networking; are the main cause of this discrepancy. 

Learn more here.

Ability Enterprises recently posted this callout for workers:
"Are you struggling to find work?

At Ability Enterprises we help people of all ages and abilities to access work within our community. We might just have the perfect job for you. We currently have casual positions available for Customer Service Operators at Waste Facilities in Toowoomba, with support and training provided to help you thrive.

If you are interested, we would love to hear from you!

Send your resume to jobs@abilityenterprises.com.au or call us on 0427405327"

See the flier below.

Nundah Co-Op is running a new program that supports people from refugee backgrounds into employment, small business or social enterprise.

You can join if you live in south Brisbane or Logan regions & have a refugee/humanitarian visa. 

You can access training, work experience, improve your english, have business advice, and access support to find work.

Contact:
Chris at chrislockhart@ncec.com.au
Lesley at pathways@ncec.com.au

See flier below or this link for more info.

Townsville will soon be home to a new place-based pilot program aimed to change the way communities buy and employ within rural and regional areas. 

Delivered in partnership with CQUniversity and ArcBlue, a specialist procurement consultancy, Q-SEED aims to create a socio-economic framework that funnels local spend, social procurement and inclusive employment practices back into the community.

ArcBlue Senior Consultant, Petra McLoughlin says the program will leverage social procurement and local supply chains to generate greater opportunities for those in the Townsville community who are experiencing barriers to employment.

Read more here.

The Sun Still Shines is a new book from SHINE for Kids that is aimed at children whose father is incarcerated.

SHINE for Kids supports children and young people exposed to the justice system, with the core objective of reducing intergenerational harm.

“This book was self-initiated and written by incarcerated fathers in Clarence Correctional Centre in Grafton New South Wales, operated by Serco,” SHINE for Kids CEO Julie Hourigan said.

The book was completed in collaboration Green Fox Studio, an award-winning creative agency and social enterprise that also trains and employs people with lived experience. The work was curated under the guidance of leading social worker and 2023 AASW Social Worker of the Year recipient, Mary Jo McVeigh OAM.

“This was a joint initiative of SHINE for Kids, Serco and Green Fox Studio and I thank those parties for their collaboration and enthusiasm on this project. We also thank Mary Jo McVeigh for her valuable contribution to ensuring that reading this story will be a comforting experience for children missing their parent.”

Read more here.