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Published Jun 2024

Peer learning and support

These are communities that come together around topics of social enterprise interest and impact. They support development through nurturing new conversations, ideas and connections.

Introduction to peer learning and support

These communities or peer networks invite people to engage around an area of social enterprise interest and impact. They have an intention to help each other through building relationships and sharing learning. They operate with less formality and structure than deep experience communities.

The key attributes of peer learning and support learning communities are that they:

  • Focus on a place or themes of social enterprise activity.
  • Convene meet-ups (online) to connect and share experiences.
  • Explore new ideas.
  • Organise knowledge-sharing and connection events.
  • Share updates on planned and delivered activities.
  • May evolve into Deep Experience learning communities over time.

Global examples

Some global examples of peer learning and support communities include:

SEDI funded

SEDI funded peer learning and support communities include:

  • Young Change Agents: Education (kindergarten-12) social enterprises.
  • WA Social Enterprise Council (WASEC): Strengthening micro social enterprises in Western Australia. 
  • Sustainable Value: Developing the capability of social enterprises in South Australia to measure and communicate social outcomes.
  • STREAT: Work integration social enterprise (WISE) - peer learning from practitioners and models of supported training and employment pathways.
  • The Data Conversation: Collecting, managing and using data for small and startup social enterprises. 
  • Arise Foundation: Empowerment through employment for survivors of domestic and family violence and modern slavery. 
  • Percolab: Connecting and strengthening social enterprises in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley and surrounding regions.
  • SIMNA: Enhancing the capability of social enterprises to measure social impact.

Peer learning and support learning communities

  • 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 will focus 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

    A peer learning community supporting 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 aims to support small and start-up social enterprises with all aspects of collecting, using, and managing data.

    Learn more
  • Empty round meeting table with four chairs in a quiet office setting, positioned by large windows overlooking green trees and nearby buildings.

    SIMNA: Impact measurement roundtable

    SIMNA's peer learning and support learning community will create 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 connects, supports, and grows the collective impact of education-focused social enterprises through regular collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

    Learn more
  • 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 will help 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 is a learning community for practitioners working in social enterprises that help others into training and jobs. This group is a chance to share ideas, learn from each other, and feel supported in your work. Whether you’re new to the space or have been doing it for years, you’ll be 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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