Guide to the Australian social enterprise sector

Understorey is a digital commons: an online resource available to all, and shaped by all who choose to take part.

In the coming months, we will update our sector guide to include organisations submitted through this form.

The guide serves as a starting point for understanding the various areas of activity, types of actors, and their roles in driving positive change within the sector.

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* 1. Full name

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* 2. Email address

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* 3. Organisation
This should be the organisation that you currently work for.

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* 4. Website URL

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* 5. What are the service locations of your organisation? (Select all that apply)

Service locations refer to the geographic areas where your organisation delivers its services, programs, or products.

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Tasmania

Northern Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Outside Australia

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* 6. Which area(s) of activity is your organisation active in?
Select all that apply.

Advocacy and promotion: Efforts to raise awareness, build support, and influence policies in favour of social enterprise development.

Funding and investment: Allocation of financial capital to social enterprises through various instruments such as grants, loans, equity investments, and impact investing.

Policy and regulation: Government policies, laws, and regulations that create an enabling environment for social enterprises to operate and thrive.

Economic development support: Initiatives and programs designed to stimulate social and economic development, often with a focus on specific regions and disadvantaged communities.

Education: Educational programs, courses, and resources that build skills, capacities, and knowledge for individuals engaged in the social enterprise sector.

Research, data and knowledge bases: Activities that generate, collect, steward, and disseminate information and insights about social enterprise practices, impacts, and trends.

Impact measurement and management: Tools, frameworks, and practices used to assess, monitor, and report on the social and environmental impact of social enterprises.

Networks and communities: Formal and informal groups that connect social enterprise stakeholders to share knowledge, resources, and support.

Marketplaces: Platforms and mechanisms that connect social enterprises with customers to facilitate trade. Customers may be retail, business-to-business, public sector procurement, or outcome purchasers.

Technical and professional advisory: Provision of specialised expertise and support services to help social enterprises operate effectively and scale their impact.

Hubs and spaces: Physical locations that provide infrastructure, resources, and community for social enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Events and meet-ups: Gatherings that bring social enterprise stakeholders together for learning, networking, and collaboration.

Standards and certifications: Frameworks and accreditation systems that define and validate social enterprise practices and impacts.

Incubators, accelerators and ideation programs: Structured programs that support the development and growth of early-stage social enterprises through mentorship, resources, and networks.

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Which type(s) of actor best describes your organisation?
Select all that apply.

Social enterprise: A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business, but exist specifically to make the world a better place.

Federal Government: National-level government agencies and departments that determine social enterprise policy and funding.

State Government: State and Territory-level government bodies that oversee regional social enterprise policies, development strategies, and regulations.

Local Government: City or local-level authorities that have a specific influence on community-based social enterprises and localised initiatives.

Philanthropists: Foundations, trusts, and individual donors that provide grants and donations to support social causes.

Impact investors: Individuals and institutions that invest in social enterprises with the intention of generating both social and financial returns.

Financial intermediaries: Any institution or entity that facilitates the channelling of finance between the supply and demand-sides of a capital market.

Market connectors: Brokers that link social enterprises with customers to facilitate and grow trade.

Capability builders: Organisations that provide training, mentoring, and resources to help social entrepreneurs and social enterprises develop and grow. May include consulting firms, support agencies, and education providers.

Peak bodies: National or regional associations that represent and advocate for the interests of social enterprises and the broader sector. Peak bodies may be governed by their members and also provide networking activities, capacity building, and events.

Networked initiative: Collaborative projects and alliances that bring together multiple stakeholders around shared interests, learning inquiries, and to address specific social, environmental, or organisational challenges.

Higher education institutions: Universities and institutes that offer courses, research, and incubation programs related to social innovation, entrepreneurship, and enterprise.

Registered training organisations: Vocational training entities that provide applied learning and skills development programs for social enterprise practitioners and stakeholders.

Standards organisations: Bodies that establish and maintain certification schemes and benchmarks for social enterprise performance and impact.

Co-working spaces: Shared facilities that provide affordable workspace and community for social entrepreneurs and enterprises.

Innovation hubs: Centres that foster creativity, collaboration, and experimentation to develop new social enterprise ideas and solutions.

Research centres: Academic units and think tanks that conduct studies and critical analysis on social enterprise trends, practices, and impacts.

Professional services providers: Firms and consultants that offer specialised support to social enterprises, such as legal advice, accounting, marketing, and impact measurement.

Corporations: Large companies that engage with social enterprises through partnerships, procurement, investment, and corporate social responsibility programs.

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Would you be interested in having an individual page for your organisation on Understorey?
If yes, what would you like to have on this page that would be of most value to your organisation? Your input here will be incorporated into the design process.

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* 9. Additional comments

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100% of survey complete.

Guide to the Australian social enterprise sector

Question Title

* 1. Full name

Question Title

* 2. Email address

Question Title

* 3. OrganisationThis should be the organisation that you currently work for.

Question Title

* 4. Website URL

Question Title

* 5. What are the service locations of your organisation? (Select all that apply)Service locations refer to the geographic areas where your organisation delivers its services, programs, or products.

Question Title

* 6. Which area(s) of activity is your organisation active in?Select all that apply.

Question Title

* 7. Which type(s) of actor best describes your organisation?Select all that apply.

Question Title

* 8. Would you be interested in having an individual page for your organisation on Understorey?If yes, what would you like to have on this page that would be of most value to your organisation? Your input here will be incorporated into the design process.

Question Title

* 9. Additional comments

* 3. Organisation
This should be the organisation that you currently work for.

* 5. What are the service locations of your organisation? (Select all that apply)

Service locations refer to the geographic areas where your organisation delivers its services, programs, or products.

* 6. Which area(s) of activity is your organisation active in?
Select all that apply.

* 7. Which type(s) of actor best describes your organisation?
Select all that apply.

* 8. Would you be interested in having an individual page for your organisation on Understorey?
If yes, what would you like to have on this page that would be of most value to your organisation? Your input here will be incorporated into the design process.