Social Enterprise News

The Australian Govt is seeking your views on the development and implementation of the Industry Growth Program.

The Industry Growth Program is designed to support innovative small and medium enterprises to commercialise ideas and expand their businesses.

The program will complement the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) by driving early-stage investment in NRF priority areas:

• value-add in resources

• value-add in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries

• transport

• medical science

• renewables and low emission technologies

• defence capability

• enabling capabilities.

The program will take an agile and industry-led approach. Key features will include:

• Industry Growth Program Advisers

• access to industry-led specialist advisory services from industry partner organisations

• grant funding for eligible projects.

The Govt would like your advice on further elements, including:

• eligibility criteria for businesses and projects

• diversity and inclusion

• industry partner organisations

• governance and grant assessment

• program design to meet intended outcomes

• post-program reporting obligations

• alignment with other initiatives.

Your response will inform final program design and help:

• maximise the value participants gain from the advisory service

• improve the application process

• ensure data collation is optimised for program insights and impact evaluation

• ensure support is targeted where most needed and impactful

• prepare clear guidelines for program proponents

• consider diversity and inclusion impacts.

Consultation documents

• Industry Growth Program consultation paper [261KB PDF] [116KB DOCX]

• Take the survey

More information

• The Industry Growth Program was announced in the 2023-24 Budget, replacing the Entrepreneur’s Programme

The $4 million Strategic Initiatives Program is part of the $15 million Queensland Innovation Precincts and Places (QIPP) Fund.

Funding is available to eligible organisations to support coordination and collaboration in the innovation economy and accelerate the development of innovation places.

Check out more here!

Measuring What Matters is Australia’s first national wellbeing framework that will track our progress towards a more healthy, secure, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous Australia.

The Measuring What Matters Framework (Framework) has five wellbeing themes:

• Healthy: A society in which people feel well and are in good physical and mental health, can access services when they need, and have the information they require to take action to improve their health.
• Secure: A society where people live peacefully, feel safe, have financial security and access to housing.
• Sustainable: A society that sustainably uses natural and financial resources, protects and repairs the environment and builds resilience to combat challenges.
• Cohesive: A society that supports connections with family, friends and the community, values diversity, and promotes belonging and culture.
• Prosperous: A society that has a dynamic, strong economy, invests in people’s skills and education, and provides broad opportunities for employment and well-paid, secure jobs.

Inclusion, equity and fairness are cross-cutting dimensions of the Framework.

These themes of the Framework are supported by 12 dimensions that describe aspects of the wellbeing themes and 50 key indicators, to monitor and track progress, which will be updated over time.

READ the Framework: https://treasury.gov.au/policy-topics/measuring-what-matters 

READ MORE: https://theconversation.com/todays-measuring-what-matters-statement-is-just-a-first-step-now-we-have-to-turn-goals-into-action-209879

Helping Queensland businesses get match-fit for Brisbane 2032

The Queensland Government today released a three-step ‘Ready, set, go!’ game plan to help Queensland businesses get ‘match fit’ to supply to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Q2032 Procurement Strategy (Q2032) aims to help businesses win contracts to supply to the Queensland Government, other suppliers and the world market before, during and after the Games.

Brisbane 2032 is Queensland’s greatest single economic event with an estimated $180 billion in procurement opportunities to 2032. The successful Buy Queensland approach will ensure the economic benefits of hosting the Games are maximised and shared among Queenslanders.

By getting your business match-fit, you can not only bid for Brisbane 2032 contracts but also for broader Queensland Government and local, interstate and overseas contracts.

Under the Q2032, the Queensland Government will help you to get:

Ready

• Develop the MyGamesPlan tool

Set

• Publish and implement the Queensland 2032 Small Business Procurement Action Plan
• Appoint a Q2032 Small Business Procurement Advisor
• Publish the Queensland Government Forward Procurement Pipeline incorporating Games related-opportunities
• Build on the Small Business Friendly Program
• Publish guidance on certifications and qualifications supporting Climate Positive supply
• Through the Buy Queensland approach and the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy Review, establish settings to prioritise procurement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses
• Publish an annual Q2032 Procurement Update

Go

• Establish the Q2032 Industry Advisory Group
• Deliver regional Q2032 Roadshows
• Build collaboration across supply chains
• Publish Games-related open tenders on a new QTenders platform
• Profile local suppliers at international events
• Deliver the Go Global Export Program
• Deliver the New Markets Program.

Start your training now for Brisbane 2032 by:

• Checking out the Business Queensland website for details about how to supply to the Queensland Government.
• Registering for QTenders, the Queensland Government’s single tendering website. Check for local government procurement opportunities at Local Buy and Australian Government opportunities at Austender.
• Participating in business information sessions on tendering for government.
• Developing a business capability statement that outlines the technical skills, competencies and experience that positions your business above others.
• Taking the ‘Fit to supply’ quiz to find out if your business is ready to develop and deliver tender contracts to the Queensland Government.  

Email betterprocurement@epw.qld.gov.au for feedback 

QSEC introduced HELP Enterprises (QSEC member) to Blocktexx and we are delighted to hear about their new partnership.

"Help Enterprises and BlockTexx have joined forces to create new jobs for people with disability and divert textile waste from landfill. Following a successful trial period, HELP is now working with BlockTexx to take unwanted textiles from Australian organisations and convert them to new resources for the building, infrastructure, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.

This innovative initiative demonstrates the power of social enterprises in driving positive change on multiple fronts."

Read more here.

"Social enterprises are businesses that exist for good. Procuring goods and services from social enterprises is a way to align and deliver multiple strategic economic and social objectives across local government. Social procurement is an untapped resource for Local Councils to drive wellbeing and environmental outcomes, improve equity and free up government resources that are much needed elsewhere.  

Social enterprise procurement is a ready-made solution to use existing spend to achieve social impact and better enhance community wellbeing. 130 businesses and governments around Australia have already committed to social enterprise procurement, including three state governments (VIC, NSW and QLD) and 11 local councils (including Brisbane City Council and Logan City Council). "

Read more of the article featured in Local Buy here!

Written by Kris Spann, Social Procurement Advisor and Matt Panayi, State Lead QLD/NT - Social Traders

Applications are now open for the Westpac Social Change Fellowship!

This unique 12-month program offers experiential learning opportunities, facilitate networking, and funding to support local and global experiences that directly invest in your skills, leadership capabilities and networks. 10 Fellowships are up for grabs, valued at $50K.

Apply here:

Social Change: Westpac Scholars (westpacgroup.com.au)

With the support of Ecstra Foundation, White Box is co-designing a new financial wellbeing program in collaboration with selected social enterprises to enhance the vital wrap-around supports these businesses provide their employees. 

The three-year program aims to equip social enterprises with the necessary tools and knowledge to help their employees improve their financial literacy and wellbeing, ultimately leading to improved financial decision making and independence.

Read more here.

Got an innovative business idea that could change the world, or transform your regional community?

iActivate are on the hunt for 24 women to join a 14-week program, designed to propel regional Queensland female founders who are driving business for good!

Whether you’re still in the early stages, with a seed of an idea, or less than five years into growing your business - iActivate: Regional Female Founder Accelerator is for you!

The Accelerator is curated by women, for women in regional Queensland.

 

The program builds on CQUniversity’s proven iActivate social enterprise online course, that’s been supporting entrepreneurs to launch social impact businesses and careers since 2020. 

The 14-week experience includes:

 Access to iActivate online social enterprise accelerator course.
 Weekly business development sessions by award winning sector experts.
 Weekly mindfulness coaching sessions.
 A micro-credential digital badge on completion.

 A generous financial subsidy - pay just $426 for full 14 weeks!

Don't miss this opportunity to build and grow your social impact. Apply by 1 August 2023, to begin Monday 4 September, with weekly workshops until December.

Learn more and apply here.

*Applications close 1st August 2023

The Female Founders Forward Accelerator Program (FFFWD) will assist Queensland female founders to take their innovative businesses to the next stage, create connections, and access opportunities that will continue to provide impact to the founder(s) and their business beyond the duration of the intensive program. 

FFFWD takes the loneliness out of entrepreneurship, connects founders with a thriving community of passionate purpose-driven entrepreneurs and leaders in the field.

FFFWD is open by competitive entry to a total of 13 South-East Queensland-based innovative businesses. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply. 

Get full program details and apply now: https://www.impactboom.org/female-founders-forward-accelerator-program