Social Enterprise News

There was excitement all around as HomeBase announced the 16 successful projects and founders taking part in the 20-week Elevate+ accelerator program. Going online due to COVID restrictions didn’t dampen the spirits of the teams, mentors and community supporters who joined.  

The enterprises taking part this year are an inspiring mix of Logan and SEQld entrepreneurs – from Beekeeping education to organic fertiliser, to an Indigenous-led platform for youth to display their creativity – and lots in between!   

Read more about these fantastic projects and their founders.  

 

The HomeBase Growth Lab team is accepting rolling applications for their tailored support program. If you know of any high-potential impact enterprises who need support to scale their impact, let us know or share the link below. It’s an amazing opportunity to access coaching, strategic advice and incredible networks with our navigators from Innovation Architects – Mark Gustowski and Philippe Ceulen.   

More information here.  

Regional social enterprises are urged to get ready to apply for the second round of Business Basics grants.

Eligible small businesses in Far North Queensland are able to apply for a $5,000 grant to increase core skills and adopt best practice.  Guidelines for the program are now available for your small business to review the details, check eligibility and gather supporting documentation. To be eligible for this grant, your business must: not have been approved for funding under Round 1 of the Business Basics Grants program have fewer than 20 employees (by head count) at the time of applying for the grant have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST have a Queensland headquarters, and be based in regional Queensland (use the eligibility tool to check your location) have a turnover of $300,000 or less for the last financial year (2020–21) have owners or directors that are not insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt. Got questions? Call the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687 or email basics@desbt.qld.gov.au Other assistance Be sure to visit the small business grants schedule for information about other support options.

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Sick of seeing waste in your community? Got good ideas for getting resources out of landfill, and into new products? Love to see trash become treasure?

Rockhampton Regional Council and CQUniversity want to hear from you!

RRC and CQU are progressing a partnership to develop an Upcycle Village at the Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility.

On Wednesday 8 September, you can join a big-thinking workshop to capture ideas for recycling and upcycling businesses that reduce waste in the Rockhampton Region, then work with expert facilitators to shape a viable business model.

Participants who want to progress their idea can access post-workshop support to complete an EOI to develop an Upcycle Village business.

This free and interactive session is 10am to 2pm at Rockhampton Smart Hub.

Whether you’re a home composter wanting to scale up, a worker with ideas for waste reduction in your industry, or just passionate about sustainability, come and connect with other passionate locals, and help Rockhampton Region move towards a zero waste and circular economy.

This initiative was funded by the Queensland Government through QSEC's Reset and Recovery Project. 

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/waste-management-co-design-workshop

There is hope out there even with the lockdowns and the latest climate change report.

Every day Lisa Signato meets inspirational impact entrepreneurs who have business solutions to climate change, health and social disadvantage.

They are for-purpose for-profit businesses who want supported resources, pathways, an educated community and access to venture capital.

ImpaQt Qld is a not for profit and ImpaQt Fund is a venture capital fund with conditional registration with more than 10 entrepreneurs knocking on the door each week and more than 80 excellent businesses sitting in our pipeline.

Read here for More details on the ImpaQt fund and benefits. 

The Social Enterprise National Strategy Advisory Council are looking for someone to lead the next phase of this exciting project.

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future development of the Australian social enterprise sector. It’s an ecosystem and coalition building role working with key partners, funders, policy makers and politicians.

Initially a three month contract at 0.8 FTE, with scope to extend to 12 months.

If this feels like you, read more and send them your EOI! Details attached.

SENS Project Lead EOI.pdf

Social enterprises play an important role in assisting vulnerable groups of people to improve their lives whether through increasing connectedness, independence and/or employability skills and opportunities. With this important focus on social enterprises to improve life outcomes for our vulnerable populations, it is timely to investigate how these enterprises have faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are looking for founders, leaders or CEO’s of rural, remote or regional social enterprise organisations for a study called the ‘Impact of COVID on Rural, Remote and Regional Social Enterprise’. We would like to invite you to participate in this study. Your contribution would require approximately 1 hour of your time to undertake an interview with one of our research team members at a location that is convenient for you, or online via Zoom.

The study aims to explore the challenges faced by rural, remote or regional social enterprises that provide services that improve communities and address social issues, in maintaining their operations through the pandemic and moving forward. Further, the study aims to provide insights into what adaptations providers have developed to remain open for business, create innovative alternative markets, gain funding and support their employees/trainees.

If you would like to take part, please reply to this email indicating your availability and we will send you more information about participation.

The research team members include:

Dr Aastha Malhotra, University of Southern Queensland (email: aastha.malhotra@usq.edu.au)

Dr Naomi Ryan, University of Southern Queensland (email: naomi.ryan@usq.edu.au)

Professor Patrick Danaher, University of Southern Queensland (email: Patrick.Danaher@usq.edu.au)

Associate Professor Christina Campbell, University of Southern Queensland (email: christina.campbell@usq.edu.au

This project has received ethics approval from the University of Southern Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (H21REA047). If you have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the project, you may contact the University of Southern Queensland Ethics Coordinator on (07) 4631 2690 or email ethics@usq.edu.au.

Multicultural Australia was one of five recipients for Government's Diverse  Queensland Workforce $3m Program announced yesterday at MA's Welcome Cafe. 

The funding will be targeted to assist marginalised refugee and migrant people to access employment in five areas; Brisbane, Logan, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Cairns, and with five providers: 

Centacare (FNQ)

Multicultural Communities Council (GC) 

Multilink Community Services (Logan)

Multicultural Community Centre (Brisbane)

Multicultural Australia (Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane)

Full Release 

New Allies:

2021_New-Allies_How Governments can unlock the potential of social entrepreneurs for the common good.

As keen collaborators with strong networks and community support, systems social entrepreneurs are powerful guides and allies for governments in their fight against the urgent systemic issues of our time – in particular when it comes to addressing the social inequalities that have been amplified by the COVID 19 pandemic. This important report unpacks ways that governments can accelerate change and achieve the SDGs by collaborating with systems social entrepreneurs on institutionalizing successful social innovations.

Learn more and read report

We love our members!  So we've gone on a mission to find what resources available and most-necessary for our members.

While we wait for announcements of the next Social Enterprise specific support, the Small Business Commissioner's office have a wealth of tools available right now in which we hope to bring some relief.

Scroll this list to see what you can take advantage of.

• Qld Government Small Business Support (https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/support-assistance)
• Business Hotline: 1300 654 687 (24/7)

• Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides information and advocacy support to small businesses, and informal resolution and mediation of COVID-19 affected small business leases.  
  
• PDF Round up of available support - HERE 
  
• If you need help with your lease, you can use the template letter to a landlord to negotiate terms under Covid - HERE
  

• Indigenous Business Support - Qld Government
  

• Qld Government Support for Women in Business

• Mentoring for Growth Program: Make sure you select Social Enterprise to be paired with a Socent-friendly mentor!
  

• Industrial Court of Qld: General advice (https://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/) Call 1300 592 987

• Mental Health support for businesses

Resources for QSEC members.

• List of Grants and business support packages - HERE
  

• QSEC Online Learning Centre - HERE