Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA)

We are excited to see the NSW inquiry into procurement practices' final report, released last Friday, with clear support for social enterprises, social procurement, greater transparency and collaborative tendering! Some highlights are: Finding 8: That the current procurement policies and legislation provide some direction to drive social, economic and environmental sustainability outcomes but require strengthening. Finding 9: That there is minimum post-award transparency, compliance and data to ensure that social enterprises named in the tender stage are engaged throughout the contract. Recommendation 11: That the NSW Government amend the Public Works and Procurement Act 1912 (NSW), or consider other appropriate mechanisms, to include specific social procurement and environmental sustainability objectives for the NSW Procurement Board, or as determined following a mapping of current, legal regulatory and policy objectives. Recommendation 12: That the NSW Government strengthen the Procurement Policy Framework and associated policies to achieve social procurement outcomes, including by: • setting specific targets for the procurement of social enterprises • considering how certification schemes could be adopted to ensure the procurement of businesses that achieve social impact • collaborating and consulting across relevant government agencies Recommendation 13: That the NSW Government conduct post-award compliance to ensure that social enterprises named in the tendering stage are appropriately engaged throughout the contract not simply listed pre-tender. Recommendation 17: That the NSW Government explore options for collaborative tendering within whole of government and agency-specific procurement arrangements, to achieve social procurement objectives, support social enterprises and small businesses, and encourage innovation. We also welcome the findings and recommendations to support and strengthen procurement processes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, disability enterprises and circular economy outcomes. The final report can be downloaded at https://lnkd.in/gea_UCYR. We look forward to seeing what the government's response to the report will be - due on 10 January 2025.

We're very sad to see Beehive Industries close its doors this week. The work they have done to provide support, social connections, meals and purpose for vulnerable people in Sydney over the past 53 years is incredible. We know there are people wanting to learn from their model, and their ups and downs, and hopefully those conversations sprout new enterprises with just as much social impact and who are just as long-lasting. Five decades is enormous for any business! Thank you to the team at Beehive for everything you have done for the Sydney community. May you continue to contribute in new ways, places and organisations.

Nice work Caroline McDaid and WorkVentures!

Congratulations Superyard! Great to see a circular economy social enterprise taking out awards like this.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking at the CTO Community Transport Organisation Ltd. conference in Sydney today. Transport is incredibly important in all of our lives. How we move around our communities to fulfil our needs (like buying food and attending medical appointments), and how we stay connected to the people and places that matter to us or where we are needed all depends on mobility. Community transport providers ensure people who can’t get themselves places can still make it to where they need to go. But as in many charitable and government-funded sectors, funding is not increasing nearly as fast as costs and demand. Social enterprise offers a way to use existing resources and capabilities (or add new ones!) to bring in revenue from trade that can complement or help fund these organisations. Not to subsidise government funding which is absolutely needed but to give them a greater say over their activities (so it isn’t all directed by funding, which can be restrictive or mean people fall through the cracks) and to give them a financial buffer to ensure they are around longterm. I was excited to meet Bethany Langford from The Community Transport Company who have bought the only taxi service in Bellingen NSW and are now running it as a not-for-profit service alongside (and partly integrated into) their community transport work. I love it! Lots of energy in the room. Lots of great conversations afterwards. Thanks Tara Russell and team for inviting Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) to be part of this. #communitytransport #socialenterprise

For the night owls who love policy in social enterprise, this event (overnight 23-24 October our time) is not to be missed!

Congratulations Banish and Lottie Dalziel!

Meet our Industry Member Communiteer Communiteer is a social enterprise that leverages technology to connect, engage, and mobilise volunteers committed to tackling the world's most significant challenges. This innovative platform facilitates cross-sector collaboration among corporates, educational institutions, not-for-profits, and individuals, amplifying the collective impact of their efforts. Functioning as a hybrid of LinkedIn and Airtasker for social good, Communiteer's mission is to empower those who wish to make a positive difference to do so collaboratively. The organisation envisions a world where volunteering is a powerful avenue for community engagement, leading to sustainable, equitable, and prosperous social change. Communiteer makes it easier for individuals to find and commit to community needs, while also providing organisations with strategic volunteering programs that drive business, educational, and social outcomes. By building a collaborative and sustainable volunteering ecosystem, Communiteer is shaping a future where every act of volunteerism contributes to a thriving society. Find more great social enterprises in our Industry Member Directory at https://lnkd.in/g7Mc5paf #SECNA #socialenterprise #businessforgood #peopleandplanetfirst #members #memberspotlight

Great opportunity to learn how to tell your story, from one of our founding social enterprises.

A big thank you to the wonderful humans who joined us for our first Bega business for good lunch today. Kylie Flament was having so much fun hearing all the stories, ideas, asks and offers she forgot to take a photo until the very end so missed a few of you but what a place! What a group! Existing social enterprises range from a whole foods store to car share, a music venue to a data collective, recruitment to models with disability, coworking to community banking. Bega certainly has its fair share of social entrepreneurs and more emerging. We look forward to seeing you again soon! Thank you to Pete Wild and the Bega Valley Shire Council for hosting us. Bega Valley Data Collective Inc Candelo Bulk Wholefoods FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) disinfluencer Campbell Page Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Mumbulla Community Foundation Bega Chamber