Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA)

Happy World Social Enterprise Day! 🌟 We hope you can take a moment today to reflect on the remarkable distance we have covered as a sector in just the last few years. We've seen major milestones achieved: a shared definition of social enterprise adopted across Australia, a commitment to common standards globally, millions of dollars of federal investment, and firm commitments from the NSW government to buy more from social enterprises. We are also seeing partnership opportunities deepen with major companies looking to actively support our collective mission. In the broader community, the concept of social enterprise is now moving from the fringe to the mainstream. Most people know vaguely what we do, and almost everyone agrees that the core idea just makes sense. Taking the best of business and applying it to social and environmental challenges? Makes sense. Putting people and planet first, not profits at all costs? Makes sense. Rewarding companies that make the world cleaner, greener, fairer, and/or kinder? It simply makes sense. This momentum is largely thanks to all of you and the amazing work you do. Your dedication and generosity in working together are helping make social enterprise the new norm. What a beautiful thing to witness. 🌍 We know there is still much more work ahead, and we will continue to champion, connect, and advocate for social enterprises every day. But as we reflect on these incredible achievements, we encourage everyone to pause, appreciate, and enjoy the significant progress we have made together on this World Social Enterprise Day! 🥂 #WorldSocialEnterpriseDay #PeopleAndPlanetFirstWeek #SocialEnterprise #SocEnt #ImpactInvesting #Sustainability #PurposeDrivenBusiness #Celebration

Happy World Social Enterprise Day! 🌟 We hope you can take a moment today to reflect on the remarkable distance we have covered as a sector in just the last few years. We've seen major milestones achieved: a shared definition of social enterprise adopted across Australia, a commitment to common standards globally, millions of dollars of federal investment, and firm commitments from the NSW government to buy more from social enterprises. We are also seeing partnership opportunities deepen with major companies looking to actively support our collective mission. In the broader community, the concept of social enterprise is now moving from the fringe to the mainstream. Most people know vaguely what we do, and almost everyone agrees that the core idea just makes sense. Taking the best of business and applying it to social and environmental challenges? Makes sense. Putting people and planet first, not profits at all costs? Makes sense. Rewarding companies that make the world cleaner, greener, fairer, and/or kinder? It simply makes sense. This momentum is largely thanks to all of you and the amazing work you do. Your dedication and generosity in working together are helping make social enterprise the new norm. What a beautiful thing to witness. 🌍 We know there is still much more work ahead, and we will continue to champion, connect, and advocate for social enterprises every day. But as we reflect on these incredible achievements, we encourage everyone to pause, appreciate, and enjoy the significant progress we have made together on this World Social Enterprise Day! 🥂 #WorldSocialEnterpriseDay #PeopleAndPlanetFirstWeek #SocialEnterprise #SocEnt #ImpactInvesting #Sustainability #PurposeDrivenBusiness #Celebration 🖼️ Photos from 2025 Social Enterprise Festival

A very big congratulations to Sita Sargeant, CEO and founder of She Shapes History and ACT Young Australian of the Year!

Looking for new business partners to work with? What about suppliers that give your business an edge? Meet some of these businesses at the Sustainable Procurement Business Expo in Parramatta on Thursday 20 November 2025. There are some incredible social enterprises and First Nations businesses that offer you incredible products and services plus IMPACT! Come and meet CommUnity Construction, The Freedom Hub, Hotel Etico Australia, Superyard, Florapeutic and 20 other exciting suppliers. Register now! https://lnkd.in/gB_xXfK8

Is your calendar clear for a World Social Enterprise Day event this Thursday? 🤔 If not, here are just some of the ways you can connect with the movement from on the day: Canberra Big Day Out: An all-day, self-guided tour of multiple local social enterprises in the ACT. Join Katie Puttock & Karen Hedley to discover firsthand how Canberra social enterprises create impact! Sydney (CBD, North, South) & Wollongong: Join our Business for Good Lunches to network with founders and supporters (featuring Sally Irwin, Anne-Lynn Nilius, Vivi Aguiar and Kate Dezarnaulds at various locations). Or join Nandeeta Maharaj (Rambisheswar) & Marcelle Bernard at Community Bank Darling Square for a networking dinner in the evening Newcastle: Wind down the week with Bianca Bartlett at our Newcastle Dinner—a fantastic opportunity for regional connection and collaboration. Rural/Online: Log in for a session with Rebel Black (quantifying community impact) or join Natalie Bramble in Dubbo (demystifying social enterprise) for events tailored for rural and remote businesses. Nowra: Join Jemma Tribe and celebrate community with a Garden Party at the Nowra Community Food Store. Which event are you attending? Check out the link below for the full schedule and to register for an event near you—we can't wait to see you there! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gJnDBFzx City of Parramatta are also hosting a series of events for the day including a sustainable business expo, an introduction to social enterprise workshop and Pitch for Good Parramatta in the evening. For more details on how to get involved check here: 🔗https://lnkd.in/gnD2KCyx #WorldSocialEnterpriseDay #WSED #SocialEnterprise #BusinessForGood #SECNA #NSW #Canberra #PeopleAndPlanetFirstWeek #LinkedInForGood

📢 Calling all social entrepreneurs and professionals engaging with the for-purpose sector in the Canberra region. As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to step away from the daily grind, celebrate the wins, and share insights on the journey. This has been a significant year, and we encourage you to join us for a relaxed, productive gathering. Let's meet just before the break to: 🪞 Reflect: Discuss the challenges and successes that defined the past year. 👓 Look Ahead: Explore the possibilities and opportunities coming in the new year. 🫱🏼🫲🏼 Connect: Network informally with peers who are committed to business for good. Join SECNA Champion, Karen Hedley, for our final 'Business for Good' event of the year, which also incorporates an I-Day Showcase. It's a great chance to celebrate community impact in a relaxed setting. 📅 Wednesday, 3 December | 🕔 5:00-6:30 PM ☕🍸 EQ Cafe & Restaurant, Gungahlin 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gEPkTwKJ We look forward to wrapping up the year with you! #ACTForGood #SocialEnterpriseConnect #CanberraBusiness #EndOfYearReflect #BusinessForImpact

📢 Calling all social enterprise superstars, NFPs, for purpose pioneers, impact sector legends, and those who support the sector that are in and around the Sydney area. It's been a big year. We all need some joy, pleasure and celebration of what we've done - and all we're yet to do. This is the party for the people, by the people, to celebrate, commiserate, and recalibrate, together. Co-hosted by SECNA, Digital Storytellers and The Impact Collab, with catering by Welcome Merchant, bringing the legendary Sangee's Kitchen. Your ticket price will be reinvested back into the social enterprise sector. 📅 Wednesday December 3, 5:00-8:00 PM 🏢 The Impact Story Lab, Digital Storytellers, Darlinghurst 🎫 $45 (includes nibbles on arrival, dinner, refreshments and entertainment) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gQhRatGi Hope to see you there! 👋🥳

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to our Find Your People session yesterday focused on social enterprises in the disability sector. We chatted everything from NDIS experiences to opportunities for networking to employment support initatives - it was the start of some great conversations and opportunities for collaboration. Wendy Hill DLI - Disability Leadership Institute | Ursula Tunks - The Mend & Make Do Crew Incorporated | Geraldine D. | Joanne C. - Freewave Foundation | Ruth Cotton - Catalyst Living Skills | Karen Hedley - The Easy Read Toolbox | Clare Jones - Right to Work | Debora Santos | Nina Murphy - Fighting Chance Australia | Robby El Amal - Global Skills Employment Services | Lisa Morell - Solo Alert | Laura Simmons - Theratrak | Laura Ramos - Helpful Engines | Dr Kath Hall - Just Governance

Let's face it: 2025 is wrapping up, the Christmas decorations are up in the shops, and the inevitable annual question has begun: "What am I going to get for the family... and the coworkers I genuinely appreciate (and have to buy for 😉)?" Forget the last-minute stress-buying. The festive season is a perfect opportunity to align your consumer choices with your personal and company values. If you'd like to get a gift that not only shows someone you care, but also deeply cares for people and planet, check out our Christmas Gift Guide that allows you to do both. Discover curated, ethical, and sustainable gift ideas that make a tangible positive impact. 🔗 Explore the SECNA 2025 Christmas Gift Guide: https://lnkd.in/eKKwQGVr #EthicalGifting #Sustainability #SocialImpact #CSR #Christmas2025 #PurposeDriven #ConsciousConsumerism #SocialEnterprise #NSW #ACT

Thank you to Success Works for hosting a powerful evening at The Ethics Centre to honour the journey of empowering women impacted by the criminal legal system.   We were moved by the stories and insights shared by an incredible lineup of speakers, each of whom has played a vital role in shaping the Success Works journey: Professor Eileen Baldry AO Patrick Manley - Cercle Natascha Consigli – Success Works Partners Shaun Christie-David – Plate it Forward   The event highlighted the real progress made through inclusive employment and the importance of wraparound support in creating second chances. We’re especially excited about the new social enterprise Success Works is preparing to launch — a bold initiative that will open up even more pathways to meaningful work and long-term change.   We’re proud to stand alongside organisations using business as a force for good. Congratulations to the Success Works team on a brilliant inaugural event — and on what’s to come. #SuccessWorks #SecondChances #SocialEnterprise #InclusiveEmployment #JusticeReinvestment