The ACT Social Enterprise Hub is a virtual network, linking non-profit and charity organisations with pro bono partners and business mentors, to establish social enterprises - feasible and profitable businesses that also satisfy a social purpose. Specifically, the ACT Hub aims to support enterprises that provide sustainable employment opportunities for people excluded from the labour market.
The Hub operates on three levels: non-profit and community organisations develop social enterprises from concept through to implementation; pro bono corporate partners offer valuable business advice and insight; while government departments support the program through funding and procurement opportunities (e.g. contracts for services provided by social enterprises).
The ACT Social Enterprise Hub is coordinated by Social Ventures Australia, a non-profit organisation that invests in social change.
What's featured:
(click on titles to jump to section)
Upcoming events - do you want to find out more about the role of social enterprise in achieving employment outcomes? Head to Melbourne this November for the Quality at Work Forum!
Recent events - It was a great chance to learn more and celebrate our achievements when the ACT Hub held its social procurement forum and social enterprise showcase recently.
Did you know? - Magpie Blah! Blah! has a colourful new range of Christmas cards on sale now! Find out more.
Enterprise in focus - Career Trackers has been around for quite some time, but they're doing more and more work in Canberra and we're delighted to welcome the team to the ACT Hub. Learn more about Career Trackers and the important work they do.
Partner profile - Meet Dr Andrew Lu OAM, a generous and long-time supporter of the ACT Hub and the newest member of our esteemed Steering Group.
With thanks - a new initiative to keep you informed of our achievements! Take a look at our new scorecard.
Upcoming events
Regular readers of this newsletter will be well aware that social enterprises can exist for many purposes. Here in the ACT, we focus on providing employment and training opportunities to people from various disadvantaged backgrounds.
If you're still hungry for more knowledge about the role social enterprise can play in creating positive and sustainable employment outcomes, this upcoming event might be for you.
Our friends at Social Traders and Social Firms Australia (SoFA) are about to hold their annual one-day Quality at Work forum, the theme of which this year is 'creating sustainable employment through social enterprise models'.
The key note address will be delivered by Executive Director of the independent think tank Per Capita, David Hetherington, who will explore 'what happens when quality outcomes and quality incomes collide?'
Sessions for the day include topics that are both interesting and relevant to progressing social enterprise in the ACT, including
- measuring impact,
- finance and funding,
- permanent versus pathway employment models,
- the nature of ownership, and
- building your market.
Finally, a lively 'devil's advocate' panel discussion will explore the internal environment for social enterprises, examining decision-making processes and ethical dilemmas.
The conference takes place on Thursday November 24 2011 at the Melbourne Business School and will cost $240 per delegate for the full day.
For more information, visit http://socialemploymentforum2011.org/
Recent events
Measuring the benefits of social procurement and showcasing some of the region's most exciting social enterprises were on the agenda when around 75 people gathered for the ACT Social Enterprise Hub's 'Public Money for Public Benefit II: Measuring Social Return on Investment' event on Tuesday 11 October.
This latest event was a sequel to the first 'Public Money for Public Benefit' event held in June 2011, where a panel discussion preceded moves by the ACT Government to introduce new guidelines to encourage social procurement. As a result, three demonstration projects are being established, with a clause for consideration of possible social benefits now applied to every ACT Government contract, and everyone is glad that the momentum is continuing.
Presenting at the morning information session was the UK’s Jeremy Nicholls, one of the world’s leading experts on social return on investment (SROI), and SVA’s own Kevin Robbie, who further elaborated on the Australian experience, discussing a number of local case studies from SVA’s substantial portfolio of work.
As well as the presentations, 18 established or up-and-coming social enterprises were gathered to offer attendees the rare opportunity to check out the wide range of products and services on offer, and to meet the people behind the businesses and hear their stories.
The half-day event was also an informal and slightly belated celebration of the ACT Social Enterprise Hub's second birthday. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us on the day – we'd love to hear your feedback, so if you haven't already, drop us a line and let us know your thoughts on the event!
Did you know?
'Tis nearing the season to be jolly, and there are no Christmas cards more jolly than those produced by our very own social enterprise, Magpie Blah! Blah! Order your personal or corporate Christmas cards online now at www.magpieblahblah.com.au
Enterprise in focus
Leaving university and entering the workforce is a significant and often challenging step for many young Australians, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the change can be even more confronting.
Luckily, a dedicated non-profit organisation has been created and staffed by passionate people, to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians navigate the career pathway.
Career Trackers exists to address the alarmingly low participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in private sector employment. Career Trackers achieves this by encouraging more private sector internships and employment for Indigenous university students and graduates. They act as a link between soon-to-graduate students and workplace partners across all sectors, to help each to develop an understanding of the other's needs and value.
"We take great pride and joy in our work because we get to see so many successful outcomes for people who have worked really hard and endured many tough situations," said Michael Comb, founder and CEO of Career Trackers.
SVA has worked with Career Trackers for some time now as part of the Supporting Social Enterprises Project, which was funded by the Australian Government. This project concluded in June 2011 and SVA is currently exploring ways in which the partnership with Career Trackers can continue, the first step being their participation in the ACT Social Enterprise Hub.
"We're all good friends and we all have a lot of enthusiasm for both the cause and for working with people. We all come from different backgrounds and approach things through different eyes," said Michael.
The team at Career Trackers is always happy to talk to new businesses and students. To find out more, visit www.careertrackers.org.au.
Partner profile
As a Fulbright scholar with a Higher Doctorate in Law, a Master of Laws, and a Graduate Diploma in commercial law, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, and of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a career spanning from London to New York, Dr Andrew Lu OAM is understandably, a very busy man.
Nevertheless, Andrew has found some time in his busy schedule and has generously agreed to join the Steering Group for the ACT Social Enterprise Hub. We're so delighted to have him on board and we're very excited to have the opportunity to benefit from his knowledge and wealth of experience.
As well as an impressive professional CV and his work as a Senior Associate for (Hub pro-bono partner) Minter Ellison, Dr. Lu also satisfies his interests in the arts. He holds appointments with the National Gallery of Australia, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Music Foundation, among others.
Minter Ellison is also widely renowned for their community investment, initiating a number of programs both internally and externally. Some of these initiatives include providing pro-bono support for issues regarding Australian Indigenous communities, homelessness and domestic violence, as well as programs to dollar-match donations made to charities by staff members.
Minter Ellison has been an invaluable supporter of the ACT Hub since its inception, and Dr Lu's additional contribution and guidance is warmly welcomed by all.
With thanks
No doubt you've noticed our e-newsletter has a new look and new structure this month. As part of the revamp and to thank you for your ongoing support, we'll now be including a running 'scorecard' of the work we're doing in our local community – so you can see the difference you're helping us to make. Stand by for an update in our next issue!
| Number of supported enterprises |
11 |
| Number of enterprises in development |
6+ |
| Number of jobs or income stream created |
More than 100 |
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