Resources
Find educational tools and resources to help you start, run and evolve a social enterprise and explore the wider impact economy.
Suggest a new educational resource or update here to help keep this library useful.
About the resources
Whether you’re new to social enterprise or have years of experience, these resources can support your learning and practice.
Australia’s social enterprise sector is growing and evolving. More people are recognising how business can create positive change for people, places and the planet. With that growth come new opportunities and challenges. These require ongoing learning, reflection and knowledge sharing.
Understorey aims to showcase and connect practical resources already available in the sector. It's a living resource that grows by showcasing relevant, quality materials. This makes it easier to find and use. In this library, you’ll find a blend of research, guides, practical tools, and case studies. Resources cover topics from starting and running a social enterprise to Indigenous knowledge systems.
Resources are organised by topic to make them easier to navigate and apply in practice. Where clear gaps are identified through sector input, new resources may be commissioned to strengthen shared capability.
Understorey grows through sector contribution. If you believe a resource should live on Understorey, we’d love for you to share it with us here.
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Enterprise Partnerships WAIndigenous 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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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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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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