Social Enterprise News

News from QSEC and the Social Enterprise Sector.

  • 09 February 2021 3:55 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Funding boost for social infrastructure

    Not-for-profit organisations can receive a share of $8 million in grants from the Palaszczuk Government to upgrade community infrastructure and accelerate COVID-19 economic recovery.

    Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Steven Miles said the Community Infrastructure Investment Partnership (CIIP) competitive grants program will prioritise projects supporting critical social and job-readiness services.

    “We’re inviting not-for-profit organisations across the state to apply for funding to help Queensland’s economic recovery,” Mr Miles said,

    “Around $8 million is being made available to enable expansions, upgrades or rebuilds of existing facilities in high-need communities.

    “Neighbourhood and community centres which provide localised access to child, family and community services are encouraged to apply.

    “Priority will be given to co-funded construction-ready projects that can be completed by June 2022.

    “The program is open to not-for-profits that own land or assets or are delivering social services from council-owned facilities.

    “The grants program will support an additional 26 construction jobs and a range of social service delivery and administrative roles across the state.

    “By working in partnership with these organisations, the Palaszczuk Government will deliver improved social infrastructure and services as part of our ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort, as well as create local jobs.”

    Treasurer and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the $15 million CIIP program also includes the flagship initiative Access Economic Hub in Logan Central.

    “The Logan project is all about community,” Mr Dick said.

    “It will give participants a head start on employment readiness, job training, social enterprise and business incubator services, and also link those involved to social services,” Mr Dick said.

    “The flagship Access Economic Hub will support up to 22 construction jobs.

    “We’re now looking to support other projects around the state, and I encourage eligible not-for-profits to apply for a share of this funding pool.”

    Community Services Industry Alliance CEO Belinda Drew welcomed the CIIP program, saying supporting community infrastructure is vital to ensuring services are delivered in a timely manner.

    “It’s great to see the Queensland Government supporting not-for-profit groups to deliver innovative and improved facilities that will enable improved services for high-need communities,” Ms Drew said.

    “The program encourages partnerships and innovation that will inform future service provision to meet community needs exacerbated by COVID-19.”

    Community Infrastructure Investment Partnership (CIIP) competitive grants program is in line with the Queensland Government’s Unite and Recover Economic Recovery Plan and theStrategy for Social Infrastructure which supports place-based community-driven solutions to local issues.

    Applications close 16 March.

    View the funding and eligibility guidelines here: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/ciip

    ENDS

     

     

  • 02 February 2021 11:10 AM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    White Box Enterprises Fairfax Grant win

    White Box Enterprises announced that they have been supported by a $1.35m grant over the next 3 years from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation to increase the range of opportunities to build social enterprises that can scale and create jobs for vulnerable young people. More information to come! https://whiteboxenterprises.com.au/


  • 28 January 2021 4:49 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    World first crowdfunded social impact bond launches

    An Israeli social enterprise is utilising the power of crowdfunding to raise capital for a new social impact bond that will tackle loneliness in elderly people.   

    While social impact bonds (SIBs) – which link the funding of a project to its impact on society – are usually solely funded by large investors, this SIB is believed to be the first in the world to use crowdfunding.  

    Anchor investors and philanthropic funds have already contributed NIS 1.6 million (A$653,000) for the SIB, but advocates hope to raise another NIS 700,000 (A$285,000) through a crowdfunding campaign

    Read Article

  • 28 January 2021 4:27 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Congratulations to the nominees of this year's Pro Bono Australia's 2021 Impact 25 Awards. 

    On the list are QSEC members Yas Grigaliunas, Lisa Siganto, Luke Terry and Robert Pekin.  Good luck!!

    Vote Now

  • 27 January 2021 2:46 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Dr Ruth Knight, Associate Professor Wendy Scaife, 19 January, 2021

    Social enterprises are packing ever more ‘punch’ in directly addressing the community’s social, cultural and environmental needs. These enterprises are responding to unmet social and environmental needs by trading goods or services and using a business model to create social change.  So what does the Brisbane and Queensland landscape look like and making social enterprise career pivots, a career move worth making?

    Read Full Article

    Learn more about Social Enterprise with QUT's new Social Enterprise Course this year :  Learn more

  • 13 January 2021 2:51 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Social enterprises want to be included in Australia's post-COVID-19 recovery

    "It's really important that social enterprise is part of that bounce back in the economy," said Mike McKinstry, chief of Social Traders, an organisation that connects social enterprises with businesses and governments.

    "We've got to make sure that what we don't do is leave that cohort of people behind because they're the hardest to find a job."

    Read Full Article

  • 17 December 2020 3:45 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)
    Please note: The QSEC office will close over the Christmas break starting Friday 18 December and we will reopen 11 January 2021.


    We thank you for all of your support this year.  We appreciate you all!!


  • 16 December 2020 4:15 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Media Release 16 December 2020

    Record $8 Million Funding for Queensland’s social enterprise sector
    The Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) President Richard Warner welcomed the Queensland Government’s $8 million commitment to assist the creation of jobs for vulnerable Queenslanders, announced through the Queensland Budget.

    “Over the coming two years the Queensland Government will work to develop the market and foster strong and vibrant social enterprises across the state,”  stated Di Farmer MP (Minister for Employment and Small Business).

    READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE

  • 16 December 2020 4:14 PM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Welcome to the 2019 – 2020 annual report of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC).

    This report is a summary of the year’s activity from July 2019 until June 2020.  We are excited about the direction of the organisation and also the growth and growing awareness of our sector.

    DOWNLOAD THE ANNUAL REPORT
  • 14 December 2020 9:06 AM | QSEC Admin (Administrator)

    Social Enterprise Sector Submission

    This submission outlines six core initiatives that will deliver on the Queensland State Government’s Social Enterprise Strategy 2019. The social enterprise (SE) sector, led by the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC), will drive outcomes that support the Queensland State Government’s current and emerging priorities, particularly in the areas of economic and social advancement. This submission has been prepared following extensive consultation with the SE sector in Queensland.

    READ THE SUBMISSION


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