Social Enterprise News

Now is your chance to nominate for the 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, with nominations open across five categories — business, community, education, health and wellbeing, and partnership.

Do you know an initiative or organisation who is going above and beyond their core business to foster reconciliation and pave the way for a better future?

Nominations close 5pm, Friday 3 February 2023 and the 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Award recipients will be announced at a ceremony during reconciliation week (27 May–3 June 2023).

To learn about the online nomination process, visit qld.gov.au/reconciliation.

Social Enterprise Contributes 3.84 Billion - to the Queensland Economy! Employing 37,269 workers and generating additional social, cultural and environmental impact.

That data can be found in a groundbreaking report by Social Enterprise Australia. https://socialenterpriseaustralia.org.au/business-for-good/

And with State Government and many local governments and corporations getting on board to support the movement - we are growing!

Social Enterprise Australia commissioned research to better understand the size and economic contribution of social enterprise in Australia. The research was done by Impact Tracks and funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

The resulting report shows that - despite limited Federal Government recognition and support - the social enterprise sector makes a significant contribution.

Imagine what could be possible with deeper Federal Government partnership with the sector, as other governments do in places like Canada and Scotland.  

Bonus: Did you also know that 17th November is World Social Enterprise Day (#socialenterpriseday)? What better way to mark the day!

Join us online on November 17 to hear the research findings, celebrate our shared work , and to see the research hand-delivered to our colleagues in Canberra.

Big changes are the result of many small acts. Seemingly insignificant actions can stir the future, open doors that we thought were shut forever, and change the game for those to come.

Social enterprises are businesses that exist to make the world a better place. Through thousands of small acts, they are changing the game.

When you choose social enterprise, you’re choosing a business that does good for the planet & its people.

Change the game to social enterprise. Change the world for the better.

Let’s make social enterprise business as usual. It’s time.

#Switch2Good

Check out what our friends at SECNA are up to here

They said it'll never catch on, but look at us now. The world has changed. So has business. Don't get left behind. Find out how social enterprise is changing the game. Visit: https://bit.ly/3AvBWKL

Storyboard by Social Traders.

Video production by certified social enterprise and QSEC members, Green Fox Studio.

Do you regularly pop to a Containers for Change deposit and wonder how your coins can help? Well now you can help QSEC as we fundraise to make our 10 year History Pin Project a reality.

Scan this code next time you're at a station to donate your change

With the support of the Queensland Government, White Box Enterprises together with key regional partners, is delivering the Strong and Sustainable capacity building program in 2022/23 for jobs-focused social enterprises in Far North, and Non-metropolitan South-East, Queensland.

The program runs over 12 weeks, starting with a ‘clarity’ session to make sure the experience is targeted, relevant and outcome-oriented. Content and support are anchored around three core modules (each module is approximately 5.5 hours per month):

·       Module 1 - Revenue Resilience (Financial sustainability and market relevance)

·       Module 2 - Strategic Resilience (Ambidextrous strategy that scales)

·       Module 3 - Workplace Resilience (Building a strong, inclusive economy)

Key dates:

1 November: Expressions of Interest open

30 November: Expressions of Interest close

December: Applicants notified

January 2023: Clarity sessions

February 2023: Program commences

A detailed program overview is available on our website. 

Postponement Notification

Due to conflicting venue and scheduling challenges, we had to make a tough call to move the Ethical Enterprise Conference “The BIG Shift” and the Early Pitch Competition date to: February 22nd and 23rd in 2023.

We aim to deliver the best possible event for everyone, and whilst we are disappointed we have to postpone, we feel the new date will provide an opportunity for people to start 2023 with a great event that will leave everyone inspired with amazing keynotes, powerful topics, practical workshops and discussions.

The good news is that we are extending the Super Early Bird offer to the 30th of November

https://www.moralfairground.com.au/ethical-enterprise-conference-2022

Congratulations to Australian Spatial Analytics on being selected the winners of Hutchinson Builders Award for Outstanding Social Enterprise at the recent Lord Mayor's Business Awards.

The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards recognise the best and most innovative businesses and entrepreneurs in Brisbane and centre on the energy, drive and passion behind businesses contributing to the growth of Brisbane’s economy. 

Congratulations also to Award Finalists:

Give Industries– Urban Utilities Award for Environmental Sustainability in Business

Multhana Property Services – Hutchinson Builders Award for Outstanding Social Enterprise

Circonomy– Accenture Australia Award for Product Innovation, Australia Pacific LNG Award for Business Innovation, ISPT Award for Investment in Brisbane

Action to Empower is the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) campaign to empower consumers and carers in social care markets to take back control through business model innovation.

Co-operative and mutual business models can increase diversity and choice in health, community and social services in Australia with positive outcomes for accountability, innovation, quality and productivity.

The Action to Empower report is a ‘call to action’ for targeted policy measures focused on enabling different forms of ownership. The report discusses the potential contribution of co-operatives and mutuals to innovation and reforms in aged care and disability services, informed by Australian experiences and a BCCM study tour of UK mutuals.

BCCM provides advice and helps organisations, staff, clients and other stakeholders seeking to learn about, form and grow co-operatives and mutuals in health, community and social services as well as aged care. BCCM helps organisations to transition to mutual models at all stages of development.

BCCM is hosting a series of roundtable conversations, webinars and information sessions about Action to Empower. To find out more about the campaign or for advice about setting up a co-op or mutual contact Gillian Mcfee.

Find out about upcoming events and announcements about Action to Empower https://bccm.coop/campaign/social-care-mutuals/