Resource library

A Beginner’s Friendly Guide On How To Conduct Market Research, Sloovi

Guides

This concise resource provides a comprehensive guide on how to conduct market research, aimed at beginners. It explains the importance of market research, outlines different types and methods, and offers a step-by-step process for conducting research.

'Aboriginal Economics', Gaala Watson (Sustainable Table)

Articles

This article examines Indigenous perspectives on economics and self-determination in Australia, highlighting historical dispossession, economic exclusion, and alternative frameworks for wealth. It explores Indigenous values of communal wealth, economic sovereignty tied to land and spirit, and sustainable solutions.

Agents of Change: Insights from First Nations Social Enterprise Leaders

Webinars

The Land Back Foundation held an interactive session exploring how social enterprises can practice long-term allyship, accountability, and activism. The discussion shared lived experiences and practical actions for embedding equity and justice in everyday business.

'A Guide to Adaptive Leadership', Acumen Academy

Guides

This guide introduces adaptive leadership, empowering individuals to lead without formal authority. It explores core principles, distinguishing adaptive challenges from technical problems, and practical steps like shifting perspectives, framing challenges, and fostering collaboration. Additional resources and free courses are included.

A Guide to Empathy Mapping, Atlassian Team Playbook

Guides

This resource provides a guide to conducting an Empathy Mapping exercise, a technique used by teams to better understand their customers' needs and experiences. It outlines a step-by-step process for creating empathy maps, including preparation, running the session, and determining actionable insights from the exercise. The guide emphasises the importance of basing the empathy map on real customer data rather than assumptions, and suggests ways to use the resulting insights to improve products or services.

'A Guide to Outcomes Contracting and Social Impact Bonds', SVA

Guides

This guide by Social Ventures Australia (SVA) shares insights from over a decade of outcomes-based contracting and social impact bonds (SIBs) in Australia. It offers practical advice, key lessons, and policy implications for organisations exploring these funding models.

A Guide to Selecting Participatory Research Methods Based on Project and Partnership Goals, Journal of Participatory Research Methods

Journals

This guide explores participatory research methods designed to align with collaborative project and partnership goals. By involving communities throughout the research process, it promotes equity, trust, and relevance. With actionable frameworks for co-production, it supports researchers and organisations in integrating community knowledge, enhancing outcomes, and fostering long-term collaboration. The guide categorises methods into five domains—engagement, exploration, visual and narrative, mobilisation, and evaluation—while addressing both the strengths and challenges of participatory approaches.

AI for Impact: The PRISM Framework for Responsible AI in Social Innovation, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

White papers

This report introduces the ‘PRISM Framework,’ a guide for responsibly integrating AI into social innovation. Developed with EY and Microsoft, it offers pathways for organisations at various AI adoption stages. The framework aligns AI with impact goals, highlights scalable approaches, and addresses key considerations like ethics, data security, and transparency.

AI for Impact: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Social Innovation, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

White papers

This report by the Schwab Foundation, EY, and Microsoft explores AI’s transformative role in global social innovation. Drawing on insights from 300 social innovators across 50 countries, it highlights AI’s impact on healthcare, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. The report examines barriers to adoption, opportunities for scalable solutions, and ethical considerations, offering case studies and practical guidance for leveraging AI responsibly to address societal challenges.

Amplify Alliance

Platforms

The Amplify Alliance supports not-for-profit organisations delivering employment and community services across Australia. It advocates for fair labour policies, offers training resources, and fosters collaboration to enhance workforce development.

‘An Introduction to Community Wealth Building', Ethical Fields

Guides

This Ethical Fields guide explores community wealth building as a transformative approach to creating equitable, resilient local economies. It highlights principles like local ownership, democratic participation, and wealth redistribution, alongside practical strategies for stakeholders to implement this model in Australia.

‘Are We Mates Yet? Agreement-Making Between States and First Nations’, Dr. Tony Dreise

Reports

This report analyses colonial impacts, truth-telling, and pathways to self-determination, offering insights into decolonisation. While focused on agreement-making between Australian states and First Nations peoples, its strategies for embedding equity and Indigenous sovereignty into governance, policy, and community development have broader relevance.

Arts Law Info Sheets

Platforms

Arts Law offers free/low-cost legal advice and resources to Australian artists, with targeted services for Indigenous artists and resources for social enterprises.

Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF): Advocating for a Healthy Environment

Platforms

The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is a leading environmental organisation dedicated to protecting Australia’s ecosystems, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable development. Through advocacy, community engagement, and research, ACF empowers individuals and communities to take action on critical environmental issues, from biodiversity and land conservation to climate change. ACF’s work fosters systemic change, driving the transition to a more sustainable future for Australia and the planet.

Australian Copyright Council (ACC)

Platforms

The ACC is a non-profit legal service offering resources on copyright law, with guides and fact sheets for creators, including social enterprises.

Australian Tax Office (ATO)

Platforms

The ATO offers essential tax and super info for businesses, including social enterprises, covering worker status, payments, and related obligations.

‘B Corps Bring Purpose and Profit for Sustainable Business’, Sustainability Mag

Articles

Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are redefining business success by proving financial performance and social responsibility can coexist. A recent B Lab white paper highlights how B Corps outperformed traditional businesses during 2019–2021, demonstrating resilience, stronger revenue growth, and higher job retention. Their stakeholder governance model, which balances the interests of employees, communities, the environment, and shareholders, is key to their success. This article explores the impact and growing influence of B Corps in modern business.

#BeyondtheRules — Balanced governance and ‘behaving well’ everywhere, every day.

Articles

Dark Matter Labs examines governance in social enterprises as an interconnected system, focusing on balancing power, autonomy, responsibility, accountability, and risk. It challenges traditional hierarchies, linking governance to broader social issues, and introduces the "Beyond the Rules" initiative.

‘Boundaries, Burnout, and the ‘Goopification’ of Self-Care’, The Ezra Klein Show, featuring Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

Podcasts

This podcast delves into the evolution of self-care from a radical feminist concept to a commercialised wellness industry, exploring why this shift has failed to curb rising burnout rates. Featuring Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, it challenges superficial wellness trends and offers practical, values-based strategies to redefine self-care for personal and collective empowerment.

Branding Frameworks - the Brand Pyramid and Keller's Brand Equity Model, Mindtools

Articles

The Brand Pyramid and Keller's Brand Equity Model are complementary frameworks for understanding and building strong brands. The Brand Pyramid illustrates five stages customers go through in developing brand loyalty: Presence, Relevance, Performance, Advantage, and Bonding. Keller's model, depicted as a four-level pyramid, focuses on how companies can build brand equity: Brand Identity, Brand Meaning, Brand Response, and Brand Relationships. Both models emphasise the importance of understanding customer perceptions and emotions, and creating positive brand experiences.

‘Brave New Work’, Aaron Dignan

Videos

This video features Aaron Dignan, author of Brave New Work, sharing insights on transforming outdated work practices.

Building and Strengthening Rural Social Enterprise Networks

Webinars

ACRE held an informative webinar that explored how social enterprises in rural Australia can build and strengthen networks to overcome the challenges of distance, scale, and under-resourcing. Drawing on insights from rural leaders, funders, and network builders, the session highlighted how collaboration, local leadership, and co-design can foster thriving, place-based ecosystems. It also introduced the upcoming co-design process for a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia.

Building the Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurs

Webinars

This resource is currently being developed. If you would like to be notified when it is published, please email team@understorey.org.au.

Bush Heritage Australia: Protecting and Restoring Australia’s Ecosystems

Platforms

Bush Heritage Australia is dedicated to conserving Australia’s unique biodiversity by managing ecologically significant land. Through collaboration with Traditional Owners, the organisation restores ecosystems and protects wildlife habitats, contributing to environmental resilience. Bush Heritage’s work focuses on land conservation, Indigenous knowledge integration, and ecological restoration, ensuring the preservation of Australia’s natural heritage for future generations.

'Business for good: the size and economic contribution of social enterprise in Australia', Social Enterprise Australia

Reports

This report by Social Enterprise Australia reveals that 12,033 social enterprises contribute $21.3 billion to Australia’s economy, employing over 206,000 people.

'Business Model Canvas Explained', Strategyzer

Videos

A 2-minute introduction to the Business Model Canvas - a tool that helps people design and develop business models for new ventures. This method comes from Strategyzer's best selling management book Business Model Generation and has been used by entrepreneurs and enterprises around the world.

Can Exponential Growth Save a Finite Planet? Cleaning Up Ep187: Azeem Azhar

Podcasts

This episode of the "Cleaning Up" podcast features Azeem Azhar, founder of Exponential View, discussing the role of exponential technologies like AI, renewable energy, and battery storage in addressing climate challenges. The conversation explores sustainable energy strategies, investments in cleaner energy, and the balance between technological progress and environmental stewardship.

Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT)

Platforms

The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT) delivers innovative, community-driven solutions for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern technology, CfAT develops essential infrastructure, provides training, and supports sustainable development to enhance self-determination.

'Challenge-led Innovation: Organising for Systems Innovation at Scale', Griffith Centre for System Innovation (2023)

Case studies

This resource introduces Challenge-Led Innovation (CLI) as a framework to address complex, large-scale challenges like climate change and inequality. Based on ‘Mission-oriented’ approaches developed by Mariana Mazzucato at UCL IIPP, CLI moves away from traditional innovation models by focusing on collaborative, mission-driven efforts across sectors and communities.

'Civic Imagination Toolkit', USC

Platforms

The Civic Imagination Toolkit, developed by USC, helps communities collaboratively envision equitable futures through storytelling and creative activities. It fosters dialogue, inclusion, and trust while empowering groups to address systemic challenges through imagination and innovation.

Climate Council: Expert Advice on Climate Solutions

Platforms

The Climate Council is an independent organisation offering science-based insights into climate change and solutions. It empowers Australians to take informed action on sustainability through research, public education, and community engagement. The organisation provides accessible reports on renewable energy, climate risks, and adaptation strategies, while also supporting citizens with campaigns and resources for climate advocacy, driving awareness and promoting a sustainable future.

Co-Creating a More Equitable World: The Transformative Benefits of Participatory Design, MIT D-Lab

Articles

This MIT D-Lab article introduces participatory design as a powerful approach to fostering equity and creating sustainable solutions by engaging end-users as co-creators. It explores the benefits of building skills, trust, and ownership while producing durable, context-specific outcomes. By tailoring methods to different challenges, participatory design promotes inclusivity and addresses systemic inequities.

Common Approach to Impact Measurement

Guides

The Common Foundations from Canada provide easy-to-understand general guidance on measuring impact. The report focuses on five essential practices that comprise a minimum standard of impact measurement.

'Communications Strategy 101', Communities Foundations of Canada

Guides

Learn how to create an effective communications strategy with this practical fact sheet for community organisations. Covering key topics such as audience identification, crafting messages, platform selection, and evaluation, it provides a step-by-step guide with exercises and tips to help community foundations implement and refine their communications efforts.

Community Story Holding and Caretaking

Webinars

This webinar explores how ethical storytelling can empower rather than exploit, centring the voices of those with lived experience. The presenters share their experiences in co-developing the Transformational Ethical Story Telling (TEST) framework, designed to shift power in storytelling by embedding values-based, anti-oppressive practices into everyday communications, branding, and policy.

'Connecting Pathways to Employment with the Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) Model', Centre for Social Impact

Reports

This report by CSI Swinburne introduces the WISE-Ability model, a framework for transforming Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) into more inclusive organisations. It supports employment pathways for people with disabilities, aligning with NDIS funding and fostering open employment opportunities.

Connecting Up (Infoxchange)

Platforms

Connecting Up helps Australian and New Zealand nonprofits strengthen their organisations through technology. This free platform, run by Infoxchange, offers discounted IT products, cloud services, hardware, software, and training by partnering with leading tech companies to empower social impact organisations.

'Core Concepts of Doughnut Economics’, Kate Raworth

Videos

This video introduces Doughnut Economics, a framework by economist Kate Raworth that balances human needs with planetary health. Challenging traditional growth-focused economics, it emphasises well-being within ecological limits. The concept offers a compelling perspective on sustainable development and highlights the role of social enterprises in the impact economy, engaging stakeholders effectively.

'Cultural Safety in Australia: Discussion Paper', Lowitja Institute

White papers

Cultural safety is pivotal for achieving equity and inclusion in health and human services. This paper focuses on embedding cultural safety into systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, addressing systemic racism and power imbalances. While primarily health-focused, its insights are applicable across sectors like social enterprise, community development, and governance.

Design for Wellbeing: A Social Enterprise Story

Platforms

This resource showcases findings from Australian Research Council studies on Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISE). It emphasises the role of social enterprises in enhancing individual and community wellbeing, particularly in disadvantaged and regional areas. The platform offers tools, insights, and strategies for social enterprises, policymakers, and ecosystem supporters to design workplaces and practices that integrate wellbeing principles, address systemic disadvantage, and foster resilience. Key focus areas include regional community wellbeing, youth health equity, and leveraging organisational design to influence positive social outcomes.

‘Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace: A Strategic and Actionable Guide’, Diversity Australia

Guides

This Diversity Australia resource provides practical guidance on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into workplaces. It explores key concepts, outlines benefits like improved culture and business outcomes, and offers strategies for fostering inclusivity. Highlighting leadership's role and the need for ongoing training, it frames DEI as both a moral and strategic imperative, emphasising that building an inclusive workplace requires sustained commitment.

Doing Business on Country

Webinars

The Land Back Foundation held an interactive webinar exploring First Nations’ worldviews on social enterprise and encouraging actors across the social enterprise sector to reflect on our own worldviews and what they mean for our relationships with community and Country.

‘Do you know all 17 SDGs?’, United Nations

Videos

This article provides a concise overview of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, promoting prosperity while safeguarding the planet. These goals emphasise poverty eradication, economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection to address global challenges effectively.

‘Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity - Executive Summary’, Earth4All

Reports

Earth4All’s two-year research investigates pathways to achieve global wellbeing within planetary boundaries by 2100. It examines two scenarios: ‘Too Little Too Late,’ continuing current economic policies, and ‘Giant Leap,’ requiring bold decisions and investments. The report identifies five critical turnarounds—poverty, inequality, women’s empowerment, food systems, and energy transformation—and calls for active governments, wellbeing economies, and urgent action this decade. Using system dynamics models, it highlights affordable economic shifts and proposes citizens’ assemblies to overcome political barriers.

‘Expanding Concepts of Scale’, Gord Tulloch

Articles

‘Can you scale your social enterprise?’ is a question often heard. This blog by Gord Tulloch challenges a narrow view of ‘scale’, which usually refers to volume and growth. Tulloch suggests there are five pathways to achieving ‘scale’ or impact, including increasing numbers, changing the rules, changing beliefs, changing norms, and changing the conditions that enable agency and distributed action.

Financial management and governance guide for NFP organisations, CPA Australia

Guides

CPA Australia’s guide aids not-for-profits, including social enterprises, in finance management, governance, risk, compliance, and tax—vital for sustainable operations.

Financial management and governance - resource centre, Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA)

Platforms

ICDA supports community sector governance with training, accredited courses, tech tools, free resources, and financial guides for not-for-profits and social enterprises.

First Nations Co-Design Platform (AIATSIS)

Platforms

The AIATSIS First Nations Co-Design Platform supports culturally safe, community-led service design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It promotes Indigenous knowledge, participatory decision-making, and co-ownership to ensure services align with local needs and aspirations.

First Nations Principles for Social Enterprise Development

Webinars

Shifting Ground held an interactive webinar with agents of social change representing a cross-section of First Nations social enterprises and businesses. It explored the principle: "If you can get right what you do in relation to First Nations people, your work with all people and communities will benefit."

'Food Relief Good Practice Guide', Centre for Social Impact

Guides

This guide, developed by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) Flinders, provides food relief organisations with strategies to move beyond emergency provision by integrating dignity, choice, and community connections. It offers practical approaches to improving service delivery, emphasising people-centered practices, community engagement, and collaboration. By focusing on long-term solutions, the guide helps address the root causes of food insecurity and fosters sustainable change within communities.