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Published Jun 2025

Peer learning and support

Peer learning communities bring people together around shared social enterprise interests, places or challenges. Participants build relationships, exchange experiences, support one another and learn from each other.

Introduction to peer learning and support

Peer learning communities create spaces for people to connect, share experiences and work through challenges together.

They bring together people with shared interests or goals, recognising that everyone has knowledge and experiences to contribute. These communities are often informal and shaped by the needs of their participants, with opportunities to build relationships, explore ideas and support each other's work.

Peer learning and support activities:

  • Bring people together around a shared place, interest or social enterprise challenge.
  • Build relationships and connections through regular conversations and meet-ups, online or in person.
  • Encourage people to exchange experiences, share ideas and learn from one another.
  • Create opportunities for peer support, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
  • Share activities, insights and resources that others across the sector can learn from.
  • Adapt and evolve as participants' interests and needs change.

Global examples

Peer learning and support communities take different forms around the world. Examples include Doughnut Economics Local Groups and Networks, New Economy Network of Australia Hubs and Inner Development Goals Hubs and Networks. These show how people can connect around shared interests, exchange experiences and support one another in creating change.

Peer learning and support learning communities

  • Aboriginal flag on a small pole planted in ground among green coastal plants.

    Palawa Business Hub: Growing Connections and Support for Aboriginal Social Enterprises in Lutruwita

    First Nations

    This learning community built relationships between Aboriginal social enterprises and wider business and community stakeholders to grow awareness of, and opportunities for, engaging and supporting Aboriginal social enterprise in Lutruwita.

    Learn more
  • Yellow Australian wattle bush with green leaves.

    Nalderun: Yulawil Youth Leadership and Mentoring Sharing Circles

    First Nations

    This learning community brought together First Nations enterprises that involve First Nations youth in leadership and mentorship roles, and First Nations organisations who were interested in learning how to support this work.

    Learn more
  • A photographer stands barefoot on sandy ground, taking a photo of three women standing together in front of a striking red cliff face. The women are smiling and wearing patterned dresses, framed by the warm tones of the landscape, suggesting a relaxed, collaborative moment outdoors.

    Together Academy: Indigenous Enterprise Leadership

    First Nations

    This learning community focused on First Nations social enterprises that are navigating growth and scale - shifting from start-up to investing in systems and strategic decisions for impact and sustainability.

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  • Tall eucalyptus trees surrounded by dense green undergrowth in a forest setting.

    First Nations Projects Institute: Funding Models for Self-Determination

    First Nations

    This learning community explored diverse funding models across First Nations enterprises and values-driven approaches to funding and finance.

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  • Aboriginal-style artwork with connected circular motifs and decorative patterns in earthy colours.

    Kowa Collaboration: Supporting People and Planet to Thrive

    First Nations

    A learning community bringing First Nations business owners and leaders together to share knowledge and explore how Understanding, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (UMEL) can support people and planet to thrive.

    Learn more
  • Full moon rising above tree silhouettes, framed by leaves in the foreground.

    Humanize Media: Governance Our Way

    First Nations

    This learning community built a toolkit that brings together Aboriginal Elders, community and practitioners to explore how Aboriginal Terms of Reference can transform governance, leadership and enterprise.

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  • Cliff face above calm river with native plants and text “Our Future”.

    First Nations Affairs: Climate, Country and Our Future

    First Nations

    This learning community brought together representatives from Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) active in environmental care, land management, and climate adaptation initiatives.

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  • Person sitting on red earth drawing tracks in the sand with their hands.

    Common Ground: The Power of First Nations Storytelling to Change Systems

    First Nations

    A national peer learning community led by Common Ground First Nations explored how storytelling drives systems change and strengthens First Nations creativity, leadership and knowledge across the social enterprise sector.

    Learn more
  • Hands holding handmade soap bars with native plant leaves and seed pods in sunlight

    Enterprise Partnerships WA: Kimberley First Nations Women Entrepreneurs

    First Nations

    This CoP was designed to offer peer learning, skill development, and a nurturing space for solidarity, connection and motivation for First Nations women entrepreneurs in the Kimberley.

    Learn more
  • Sunlit escarpment above expansive forested valleys under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

    Dark Lightning: Reconciliation Action Plans Alignment

    First Nations

    A peer learning community which focused on deepening understanding of how Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) can genuinely support First Nations social enterprises and community-led economic development.

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  • Trees framing a cloudy sky with soft light and layered clouds.

    Cox Inall Ridgeway: First Nations Arts Enterprise Sector Development

    First Nations

    A national peer learning community for First Nations-led arts and creative enterprises to strengthen capability, sustainability, and impact in the social enterprise space connecting cultural integrity with business innovation and community benefit.

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  • Six pairs of bare feet standing in a circle on green grass, with leaves and bark in the centre.

    Percolab Coop: South Coast Social Enterprises

    This learning community was focused on the South Coast region of NSW. It invited social enterprises and social entrepreneurs on the NSW South Coast who are curious about the world of social enterprise, to explore this together.

    Learn more
  • Person sitting alone on a bench under a large tree, with sun rays streaming through the branches in a peaceful natural setting.

    ARISE Foundation: Empowerment Through Employment

    This learning community focused on sharing knowledge and practices to enable recovery, healing and financial independence for survivors of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

    Learn more
  • Four people discussing sustainability, holding items like plastic bottles, an orange bag, fresh vegetables, and wearing a construction vest and helmet.

    WA Social Enterprise Council (WASEC): Starting Up to Succeed

    This peer learning community supported micro social enterprises in Western Australia to build knowledge, confidence and connection - focusing on early-stage ventures, marginalised leaders, and regionally-based enterprises.

    Learn more
  • Woman reviewing a data chart.

    The Data Conversation: Data Learning Community

    Social enterprises deal with many different types of data - from data on their inventory to data on their impact, and everything in between. This learning community supported small and start-up social enterprises with all aspects of data.

    Learn more
  • Close-up of a water droplet falling into a calm surface, creating circular ripples in blue-toned light.

    SIMNA: Impact Measurement Roundtable

    SIMNA's peer learning and support learning community created a space for those looking to enhance the capability of their social enterprise in measuring and managing their social impact effectively.

    Learn more
  • A group of women seated around a table in a bright meeting room, listening to a standing woman leading the discussion.

    Young Change Agents Ltd: K-12 Education

    A national learning community for social enterprises working in K–12 education across Australia. Convened by Young Change Agents, this group connected, supported, and grew the collective impact of education-focused social enterprises through regular collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

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  • Hands arranging colourful sticky notes with labels like "Customer," "Problem," and "Journey Map" on a UX design canvas during a collaborative planning session.

    Sustainable Value: Good Impact

    These good impact sessions helped develop the capability of South Australian social enterprises to measure and report their social outcomes and impacts.

    Learn more
  • A black dog wearing glasses sits among a group of people in a casual meeting setting, with notebooks and a coffee mug nearby.

    STREAT: WISE Models of Supported Training and Employment Pathways

    This was a learning community for practitioners working in social enterprises that help others into training and jobs. This group had a chance to share ideas, learn from each other, and feel supported in their work. Some were new to the space, others had been doing it for years, they were all part of a community that helps each other grow, stay motivated, and create real impact - all while having a bit of fun along the way.

    Learn more
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