Social Enterprise News

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
  

Wednesday 4 August Small Business, Employment and Training Minister Di Farmer met with QSEC members and Social enterprises to understand the recent COVID Business Relief packages.

Click here for QLD Business Grant details 

Upcoming Regional Business Grants (amended COVID Adaption Grant)

DESBT Coronavirus (COVID-19) business support: 1300 654 687

Q: How do businesses demonstrate the 30% downturn and from what period? 

A: Businesses will be provided an accounting template to fill out to demonstrate comparable periods through the application process. There will be some commonsense flexibility in the timeframes, and an expectation that this can be verified by an accountant or responsible third party. The Department is encouraging businesses to call their hotline to discuss their situation if there is any doubt. 

Q: Are NFP and For Profits eligible to apply?

A: Yes as long as the meet the criteria for over $75K turn over and under $10M payroll. Please contact the Department to discuss eligibility, and also check the Federal Govt COVID disaster payment details for other opportunities. 

Q: How long will the grant be open for? 

A: At this stage the grant will be open for 3 months and there will be adequate time for applicants to respond. This will also allow for those businesses with anticipated longer lead times in their supply chain (30- 60 day terms) that may have delayed impact to apply for relief. There is $260M allocated to this fund to accomodate a volume of eligible businesses. 

Q: Will support sessions for people with language or cultural barriers be provided for the application process? 

A: The Department is working through aspects of additional support through the business hotline.  

Q: Is this a one-off payment?

A: At this stage, yes. Reviews will take place as required.  

Q: How is the government addressing concerns for micro-businesses and sole traders. 

A: This grant is specifically for employing businesses. Please check the Services Australia COVID Disaster payments for eligibility. 

Q: How are the grants distributed between SEQ and Regional areas. 

A: There are TWO grants available currently. The Business Basic grant (for Regional businesses) and the Covid Business Relief Grant (for businesses across QLD who have been impacted by COVID by at least a 30% downturn). Visit the Business Website to look at the guidelines for both. 

For more information and to listen to the Minister's Briefing in full please make sure you have JOINED QSEC and visit the Grants Page on the Member Forum.

QSEC members are also able to access FREE HR support from CCIQ until Sunday 8 August 2021. Members will be sent the details in correspondence via their profile emails. 

Here's the latest from Social Change Central:

Got a great idea but don’t know how to get it off the ground?

Imagine being given 12 months and $150,000 to pursue your big idea for social change? The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund is offering to exceptional leaders across all sectors (private, public and not-for-profit) and from all types of professional backgrounds.

Over the past five years, the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowship program has supported some of Australia’s brightest, self-directed leaders to forge breakthrough solutions to challenges facing Australia today – from education, poverty and disadvantage to sustainability and the environment. Unlike, many opportunities for social change, the Fellowship program provides support to individuals rather than organisations.

As a Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to take twelve months away from your current role to develop your ground-breaking idea into a plan for action. Fellows will each receive $120,000 for their twelve-month commitment to the program and an additional $30,000 will be available to each Fellow for approved expenses such as workspace, rent, travel and contracting of external expertise.

More details here thanks to Social Change Central

Applications close 5 September 2021

Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 associated lockdown restrictions, support mechanisms have been announced at Federal and State level. 

The Federal Government COVID-19 Disaster Payment financial support for workers will apply in all local government hotspots impacted by state health orders. Details of the package include $750 per week for workers who have lost more than 20 hours of work as a result of lockdown conditions, and $450 per week for those who lose between 8-20 hours of work. Applications for support will open Saturday 7 August 2021. 

The Queensland State Government have announced a $260m Businesses Support package for businesses across the state. Small Businesses must demonstrate at least a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the restrictions which commenced on 31 July 2021. This consists of a $5,000 one-off payment for businesses with an annual turnover of more than $75,000 with an annual payroll of $10m or less. This is in addition to the Business Basics (Round 2) Regional Queensland, the guidelines of which will be released shortly. 

Grants are also available for large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector operating in the 11 local government areas in the lockdown, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Details of the package have been released on the Department's website. The guidelines and details of how to apply will be made available in coming weeks. 

Some sole traders (with employees) will be eligible for the grants if they are not receiving, or are not eligible to receive income support through the Australian Government’s disaster payment.  Non-employing sole traders may be eligible for support through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment with further information available on the Services Australia website shortly. 

QSEC President Richard Warner is grateful for the support for businesses and workers from both State and Federal Governments as it assists them in managing an uncertain environment. It's our understanding that most social enterprises including not-for-profit, for-profit and many different sizes of enterprise will be supported through some of these initiatives. We are interested in hearing from members if their needs are not reflected so we can provide feedback.

"We know that there are sole-traders and micro-business, particularly in CALD and Indigenous communities who are doing it tough," he said, "and may face barriers in accessing these funds. Some of these micro-businesses are providing essential financial support for vulnerable families, and it is important we don’t allow them to fall through the cracks.”

QSEC is keen to understand your experience, and would welcome feedback to be able to advocate on your behalf.

CEO Elise Parups has asked for people to contact elise@qsec.org.au to provide the information we need to request changes to funding or highlight concerns in special interest areas. 

QSEC will continue to advocate for these marginal voices and work with all levels of government to help address potential gaps in the support mechanisms.

In 2020, as COVID restrictions hit the globe, Queensland’s economic recovery was in need of impact businesses. As a result, QSEC received funding from Queensland State Government to assist social enterprises (SE) in three regional areas: FNQ, Central Qld and Darling Downs.

We developed a series of resources to respond to emerging conditions. 

Resources were delivered to help pivot SE businesses to emerge from the COVID-19 period with job opportunities, new markets and connected communities using an "Action Lab" approach.

The RESET toolkit is now available for use. We thank QSEC Associate Member Social Scaffolding for their assistance in crafting the tool kit for the Reset project.

The Reset Toolkit has been made available to all social enterprises here.

Members can LOG IN visit the QSEC Online Learning Centre for the EXPANDED version of online tools, resources and learning sessions! 

Thanks to Griffith University's Yunus Centre, the program benefits have been mapped and evaluated.

You can check out the Yunus Centre's report here.

Not a member yet? Don't worry, QSEC is easy to join and just a couple of clicks away: JOIN US

QSEC would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of Griffith University, CQUni, Social Traders and Social Scaffolding. 

We thank Minister Di Farmer and the Queensland Government for their support of this project and the ongoing work of the social enterprise sector.