About Understorey

What is Understorey?

Understorey exists to grow participation and capability in the Australian social enterprise sector.

It is a sector-led digital commons: a living resource available to all, and shaped by all who choose to take part.

Understorey brings together:

• Key terms: shared language to support consistency and clearer understanding across the sector.
• A sector guide: it shows the different actors and activities in the ecosystem. This helps people see who is doing what and how they connect.
• Quality educational resources: hosting, linking to, and combining trusted tools, guides, and practical materials on social enterprise. New resources will be commissioned only when clear gaps are found.
• Learning communities: peer-led spaces that support shared learning, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. These communities cover various themes and locations.

Together, these elements help people learn, exchange, and navigate the sector. Understorey supports social enterprises, and those who work alongside them, to thrive and contribute to a better future.

Understorey is part of the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI), an initiative of the Australian Government.

How does it help?

The social enterprise sector is diverse, values-led, and growing. It includes enterprises, intermediaries, funders, researchers, policymakers and community leaders working in different places and contexts.

Understorey helps by making this ecosystem easier to understand and move within.

It does this by:

• Making organisations and resources more visible and easier to find.
• Connecting related ideas, tools and practice so learning is not fragmented.
• Supporting shared understanding through clear language and practical examples.
• Creating spaces for peers to exchange experiences and explore common challenges.

It builds on the wealth of capability-building supports that already exist. It hosts, points to, and integrates with a range of quality resources about social enterprise, strengthening what is already working rather than duplicating it.

Understorey is also a place to explore pathways to a future where all people, places and the planet thrive.

Understorey will change and grow over time as many hands shape it. It is designed to be used often.

Who is it for?

Understorey is for those in or interested in the social enterprise sector. Anyone with ideas, questions, and resources is invited to share.

It is a place for diverse input, ideas and voices - including marginalised voices. These voices are critical to driving change that puts people and planet first.

By welcoming contribution and participation, Understorey strengthens shared understanding, connection and collective capability across the ecosystem.

Who is behind Understorey?

Understorey is by the sector, for the sector. It's created by all who choose to take part. It invites and adapts to input and ideas.

Social Enterprise Australia is the steward and coordinator of Understorey. Our role is to hold the infrastructure, gather input, curate responsibly, and ensure the platform continues to evolve in line with sector needs.

Understorey is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Social Services, through the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI).

Advisory groups support its design and development, bringing diverse expertise and lived experience to guide priorities, content and direction.

Understorey will continue to evolve through ongoing sector input, shared learning, and practical use, reflecting the collective effort of those who choose to take part.