Many diverse voices joined the conversation at the Social Enterprise World Forum, sharing their ideas, learnings and failures. Here are some of our favourite quotes and reflections from a whirlwind week of (re)connection, inspiration and celebration.
Continue reading "SEWF22: Top Quotes from Leaders at the Social Enterprise World Forum"
If you’re a social entrepreneur, it’s easy to be focused on helping others at the expense of your personal emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. The catch is that a proactive approach to building your mental health toolkit can seem overwhelming when you are already overwhelmed. In this post, Jenni Harding shares three keys steps and resources to help you avoid burnout (and even thrive) as a social entrepreneur.
Continue reading "Putting on Your Own Lifejacket Before Burning Out"
Cessalee Smith-Stovall has a name for her imposter syndrome. It’s Tyrone. She says when she applied for the Westpac Social Change Fellowship, she had to ask Tyrone to leave. For people who spend their days working to improve the lives of others, it can be uncomfortable to look inward. But it can also be transformative.
The Myer Innovation Fellowships support breakthrough solutions to Australia’s most pressing social and environmental challenges and bring new talent to the social sector. Fellows are offered funding and the unique opportunity to take twelve months away from their current role to pursue a big idea that has the potential to achieve positive social outcomes.
Continue reading "Oh Myer God! $150,000 to Make Your Big Idea for Social Change a Reality"
There are multiple things that can be done to create an inclusive environment within the workplace, one where employees feel valued and welcomed. If you strive for your for-purpose organisation – whether it’s a social enterprise, B-Corps, charity or not-for-profit – to be as inclusive as it is diverse, here are a few tips to help make it happen.
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Many people will be familiar with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). What they may not realise is that there are 169 underlying target areas developed to create a clear roadmap for a better future. Unfortunately, of these target areas are aimed at government action and don’t easily translate into what individuals or organisations can do. Until now.
Continue reading "Rising to the UN SDGs: Small Steps to Make Meaningful Progress"
The biggest thing leading thinker-and-doer in the emerging social entrepreneur space, Tom Dawkins, co-founder and CEO of StartSomeGood, always gains from attending conferences isn’t the learning that comes from the stage; it’s the relationships formed in the crowd.
Continue reading "Conference Confessions: Why I Love Them (and You Should Too!)"
Over the past ten 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 poverty and disadvantage to sustainability and the environment. Unlike many opportunities for social change, the Fellowship program provides support to individuals rather than organisations, with Fellows each receiving $150,000 for their 12-month commitment to the program.
Daniel Flynn, co-founder of Thankyou, Kate Raworth, internationally recognised economist and author of Doughnut Economics, and Clothing The Gaps co-founder, Laura Thompson are among the first speakers to be announced for the Social Enterprise World Forum 2022 (SEWF22) to be held in Brisbane, 28-29 September.
Globally, food waste is a significant problem. Roughly one-third of the food that’s produced for human consumption ends up lost or wasted. Not only does this diminish food security and contribute to extensive economic losses, but it also has an impact on our warming climate. If we were to consider the carbon footprint of food waste as a country, it would be the third largest emitter in the world, just behind China and the USA. Fortunately, there are some Australian social enterprises doing something about it.
Continue reading "The Australian Social Enterprises Combating Food Waste"
Fast fashion may be affordable, but it certainly comes with costs that aren’t listed on the price tag. Sustainable and ethical fashion means minimal impact on the environment and maximum benefits for society. Here are just some of the exciting Australian social enterprises leading the way.
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How to avoid the incredibly common and consistent reasons why many social enterprises fail to build that community, gain momentum or reach sustainability.
Continue reading "Why Social Enterprises Fail & How To Increase Your Chance of Success"
There has never been a better time to start that social enterprise you have been thinking about. If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there is no time like the present to follow your dreams and do what you have always wanted.
Continue reading "4 Practical Tips for Successfully Launching Your Social Enterprise"
Westfield will provide a whopping $1.26M in Westfield Local Hero grants in 2022! In nominating a local hero, you not only give a hardworking member of the community the recognition they deserve, but the chance for their cause or organisation to step into the spotlight. In this post, we showcase some alumni so you get a taste of what it takes to be a local hero.
Continue reading "Heroes in Hard Times: Local Legends Making A Difference"
If there’s something that’s consistent across all social enterprises, it’s faith – even when that faith isn’t always warranted. In 2020, Irish researcher Kate Kenny and her UK-based colleagues looked into exactly that. They asked how, amidst tensions and anxieties, social entrepreneurs were able to retain their faith in the field. Is it because of fantasy? Let’s explore some of their key takeaways.
Continue reading "The Delusion in Social Enterprise & Entrepreneurship"
By focusing on both sales and marketing, social impact organisations can boost their effectiveness, efficiency and bottom lines, accelerate progress towards their core purpose and ultimately have a greater impact on the world.
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Using business as a force for good has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. According to the World Economic Forum, in just two decades, social entrepreneurs have improved more than 622 million lives. They argue that social enterprises exert so much positive influence that they have the potential to transform entire industries for the better. Locally, social enterprise is on the rise and not just for the positive impact the sector is having. Here are 8 other reasons social entrepreneurship is becoming more popular in Australia.
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As we wrap up the crazy year, help your loved ones unwrap gifts that support social and environmental good. These social enterprises have just what you need to spread some holiday cheer.
Continue reading "The Perfect Gift: Social Enterprises to Support this Christmas"
Public Interest Registry (PIR), the people behind the .ORG domain, have named the winners of the 3rd annual .ORG Impact Awards, which honour and celebrate mission-driven organisations and individuals working to make the world a better place.
Continue reading "Public Interest Registry Unveils Winners of the 3rd Annual .ORG Impact Awards"
This year’s SEWF – Social Enterprise World Forum C.I.C. just wrapped up. Changemakers from around the globe made their way (in most cases, virtually) to Nova Scotia, Canada. Co-host Common Good Solutions set the stage for conversation, inspiration, and so much more. Weren’t able to tune into the event? Here’s what you missed.
Continue reading "Social Enterprise World Forum 2021: Take a Bow & Bring on Brisbane 2022!"
As the CEO and founder of StartSomeGood, a crowdfunding platform and education provider for social entrepreneurs, Tom Dawkins sees people attempt to launch their enterprise every day, full of optimism, hope and good intentions. But these things alone are not enough. In this post, Tom shares the top 5 common and consistent reasons social enterprises fail – so you can avoid them.
Continue reading "The 5 Main Reasons Social Enterprises Fail"
As a person whose journey into social entrepreneurship began around six years ago, Sarah Prime knows how tough it can be. At times, it can feel isolating, overwhelming and disheartening. But she’s still here. And there’s a very good reason why.
Continue reading "Social Change Fellowship Creates Life-Changing Opportunity"
