We get it. Life is crazy and balancing out your time can be super hard. With so much going on it’s difficult to stay ahead of the learning game and easy to lose track of what’s happening in the world of social impact. The trick is to stop trying to read everything out there. There’s too much. And you’re too busy. Instead, give us roughly 3 minutes and we’ll brief you on five of the best social enterprise opportunities happening right now! If you’re passionate about creating positive social and environmental impact, our handpicked content is all you need to stay informed and inspired. For the month of March, here are the top 5 opportunities to build your skills, knowledge, revenue and impact…
(Re)Purpose
2022 is a banner year for the social enterprise community as we take our turn playing host to the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), bringing together diverse voices and presenting a global perspective of social entrepreneurship. The National Social Enterprise Strategy is also well underway, and a federal election is on the horizon (with the economy being a key talking point). It’s a big year for social enterprise. To kick things off, Re(Purpose) is all about getting you psyched for SEWF, showcasing all the happenings throughout 2022, and hearing from and getting inspired by Aussie businesses who are creating real impact within communities. Event taking place on 16 March.
Westfield Local Heroes
The Westfield Local Heroes program is back for its fifth consecutive year! The program shines the spotlight on individuals who have a positive effect on their community or environment, raising awareness of their work and providing a platform for community recognition. Since launching in 2018, the program has recognised and celebrated a total of 489 Westfield Local Heroes, with $4.88 million in grants distributed to the organisations they represent. Westfield Local Heroes is open to people in a broad range of sectors including emergency services, registered community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profit, schools, authorities and the local environment. Alumni include environmentalists, innovators, community volunteers and leaders, welfare service providers, first responders, essential workers, health and medical experts, educators, social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Across Australia and New Zealand, Westfield will provide a whopping $1.26M in Westfield Local Hero grants in 2022 with successful Heroes awarded $20,000 for the organisation they represent. Get in and nominate your local hero today! 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. Nominations close 21 March.
Funding & Support from All Good Ventures
Do you want to start a social enterprise? Specifically, one that will put profits towards helping people in desperate need? Do you need funding and support to launch it? Well, THIS opportunity by charity All Good Ventures is exactly what you’ve been waiting for! All Good Ventures exists to help launch new social enterprises; ones that will see profits poured into freedom for people experiencing extreme hardship or deprivation. Success applicants receive THREE things: 1) seed funding 2) access to a year-long mentoring programme, and 3) hands-on support with the million and one jobs that will inevitably crop up in your first year of business. It doesn’t get much better than that. Don’t miss out! Apply now to become an All Good Venture! Applications close 31 March.
Grants to Social Enterprises: Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) Program
The Government has announced it will invest $21.3 million over three years in the Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) grant program, overseen by the Coordinator-General. The new Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program seeks to increase the rate of employment for refugees and humanitarian entrants by creating job opportunities and pathways to employment and self-employment for refugees with low skill levels and low English language proficiency. A total of $15 million is available for this grant opportunity. Eligible applicants can apply for grants of between $50,000 and $1,000,000 per annum over three years. Applications close 11 April.
Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) 2022
The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) is coming to Brisbane, Australia in 2022! SEWF is an opportunity for social enterprise leaders and practitioners from around the world to network and exchange ideas. The multi-day event of roundtables, panels and open forums will discuss issues relevant to running a social enterprise, measuring impact and navigating the ecosystem. Join to connect with thousands of leading social entrepreneurs at the world’s largest social enterprise conversation. Get your ticket today to access the extra early bird discount with digital and in-person options! Designed by and for social enterprises, the SEWF 2022 programme will feature fireside chats, panels and discussions with live Q&A, expert-led masterclasses, partner sessions, networking and a marketplace giving you the opportunity to connect, learn and be inspired.