Australia’s social enterprise sector has launched its first national strategy, bringing together businesses, community organisations, investors and government stakeholders around a shared plan to use business as a force for social and environmental change.
Coordinated by Social Enterprise Australia, the strategy was developed through a collaborative process involving 497 people from across the country’s social enterprise ecosystem. Rather than being designed and controlled by government or a single organisation, it is intended to be owned and delivered collectively by the sector.
Social enterprises operate as businesses while prioritising positive outcomes for people, communities and the environment. They use commercial activity to address challenges that conventional business models may not adequately solve, including barriers to employment, environmental degradation and unequal access to essential goods and services.
The new strategy identifies five areas where social enterprises can make a significant contribution: environmental care, access to decent work, First Nations self-determination, access to goods and services, and enabling communities to shape their own futures.
It also outlines three priorities for strengthening the sector. The first is to improve coordination and collaboration among organisations, build stronger networks and establish a shared voice for advocating for social enterprise. The second is to strengthen knowledge and practice through better data, shared learning and the responsible use of digital technology. The third is to create better conditions for growth by improving access to customers, funding and investment capital.
The development process brought together organisations with different experiences and perspectives. Around half of the organisations involved were social enterprises, while others represented support networks, philanthropy, government and impact investment. Just under a fifth of the organisations represented were owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, while 31 per cent were based in rural areas and 69 per cent in urban locations.
Jess Moore, chief executive of Social Enterprise Australia, described the strategy as a shared pathway for recognising and supporting businesses that put people and the planet first. She emphasised that social enterprise should not be treated as a marginal part of the economy, but as a practical way to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The strategy also received support from Australia’s Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, who welcomed the sector’s leadership and collaboration, noting its contribution to both the country’s society and economy.
For Matt Pfahlert, chief executive and co-founder of the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship, the process was important because it brought people together around a common direction. He highlighted the importance of listening to communities, building trust and agreeing on what success should look like, particularly for rural social enterprises.
The strategy now calls on organisations across the ecosystem to participate in its implementation through regular meetings, campaigns and groups focused on specific impact areas. Its success will depend on whether the shared priorities translate into stronger support systems, better access to resources and measurable improvements in the communities social enterprises serve.
The launch marks a significant step towards building a more coordinated social enterprise sector in Australia, with a common direction for businesses seeking to combine economic activity with social and environmental progress.
Source: Pioneers Post | Social Enterprise Australia
