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A place to learn and exchange about social enterprise

Understorey exists to grow participation and capability in the Australian social enterprise sector. It is a place to navigate the sector and to learn and exchange. It does this to help social enterprises thrive and contribute to a better future.
About Understorey
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Information

A guide to help navigate Australia’s social enterprise sector. It details key roles and key terms.

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Education

Find educational tools and resources to help you start, run and evolve a social enterprise and explore the wider impact economy.

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Connection

Learning communities for participants to solve problems, develop practice, learn with and support peers, and share their learnings with others.

What is a social enterprise?

A social enterprise is a business that puts people and planet first. They trade like any other business, but specifically exists to make the world a better place. While social enterprises have different legal structures, business models and operating contexts, they have one thing in common: they work in a way that is consistent with the global standards.

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

Guide to Australia’s social enterprise sector

This Sector Guide provides an overview of the key actors and areas of activity that contribute to the development of social enterprise in Australia. From funding and investment to education and research, policy and advocacy to impact measurement and marketplaces, this guide maps out our diverse sector.

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Curated educational resources

Key topics

  • Indigenous knowledge systems and social enterprise

    A social enterprise sector that centres people and the planet begins with Indigenous knowledge systems. This section shares resources and tools made by and for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to deepen understanding, skills, and connection. Topics include truth-telling, cultural safety, and Country-centred business that values community and environmental wellbeing. Wherever you are in your journey, these resources support respectful engagement with Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and fair, healing, and regenerative futures for all.

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    Starting and running a social enterprise

    The social enterprise journey can be both exciting and challenging. This section provides resources and tools to help you navigate the process of starting and running a successful social business. From understanding the problem you want to solve to measuring your impact and building a strong team, we cover the key areas that every social entrepreneur and practitioner needs to consider to turn intentions into impact.

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    Working in the impact economy

    The impact economy is a rapidly evolving space that offers diverse opportunities to create positive change. This section delves into ideas and approaches that are relevant to social enterprise AND to others contributing to a new economy that puts people and planet first. From exploring power dynamics and decolonisation to thinking in systems and engaging communities, these resources will provide you with a broader view and equip you to make a meaningful impact through your work.

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    Challenge areas for the Sector

    Social enterprises are at the forefront of tackling some of our most pressing challenges. This section focuses on four thematic areas where social enterprises are driving real change: environmental care, people-centred services, access to decent work, and community-led innovation. Dive into the latest research and thinking that can help grow understanding and impact in each of these critical areas.

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First Nations

Understorey recognises that Indigenous businesses existed long before the contemporary Australian social enterprise sector. They provide pathways to self-determination and strengthen social, cultural, and environmental outcomes. Relationships, reciprocity, and respect for Country are core principles of Indigenous business, and key skills for all businesses, helping grow an economy that cares for people and the planet. Explore First Nations enterprises, educational resources, and learning communities that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and innovation in social enterprise.

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Colleen Mangolomara, Kalumburu Photography Collective, Pictured; Kimberley French, Freedom Garvey-Warr and Kitty Fredericks

Understorey aims to feed curiosity, offer practical solutions, and inspire new possibilities for the future.

Explore key terms

This guide provides key terms used in the Australian social enterprise sector. It explains technical language and helps people use the same words to mean the same things.

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Published Dec 2024

Learning communities

Learning communities connect people to learn from practice and share experiences. Diverse sector actors lead these groups, fostering connection, peer learning, and collaboration. They also share insights and resources back to the sector, contributing to a growing digital commons.

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Published Jun 2024

Add your organisation to the Sector Guide

The Sector Guide outlines the various areas of activity within the Australian social enterprise sector. It also shows the types of actors and their roles in driving positive change. Over the next few months, we will develop the Sector Guide to include organisations. We invite you to share the spaces you are active in and your role. Join us in bringing the Sector Guide to life.

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We’d love to hear from you!

Reach out to one of our team members, and share input and ideas about how we can evolve Understorey.

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