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Photo credit: Maria Fredericks, Kalumburu Photography Collective

Resource library

This library holds a chosen collection of useful tools, guides, and resources in the social enterprise sector. You can explore guides, articles, and more to support your journey. If you're starting a social enterprise, facing sector challenges, or looking into the impact economy, you’ll find something useful here.

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Suggest a new educational resource or update here to help keep this library useful.

221 results found

  • Abstract artwork with Reconciliation Australia and Community Truth-telling Pathways logos on a soft red background.

    Truth-Telling Resource Hub

    Guides
    First Nations

    This resource page from Reconciliation Australia shares learning materials about truth-telling in Australia. It includes guides, reports and videos that explain what truth-telling is and why it matters for reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

    Truth-Telling Resource Hub
  • Two smiling conference attendees wearing lanyards standing before green marble wall.

    United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    Reports
    First Nations

    The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets out the global standards for the rights, dignity and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples. Adopted by the United Nations in 2007, it affirms Indigenous Peoples’ rights to culture, land, self-determination and participation in decision making. The Declaration guides governments, organisations and communities toward respectful and fair relationships.

    United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Group of people sitting on floor in a bright room working together on project.

    Unlocking Social Procurement Opportunities: Two-part workshop series | workshop 1

    Webinars

    QSEC, ArcBlue and Gov Ready held an interactive webinar exploring what it means for social enterprises to be procurement ready. Drawing on experience across government and private sector procurement, the session shared practical strategies to help social enterprises position themselves effectively, communicate their value, and demonstrate capability.

    Unlocking Social Procurement Opportunities: Two-part workshop series | workshop 1
  • Group of five young adults discussing around a grass-covered table with recycling bins and plastic waste, in a bright, modern room.

    Unpacking the Social Economy

    Webinars

    Co-operative Bonds held an informative webinar exploring how social enterprises and co-operatives contribute to the broader social and solidarity economy. The session unpacked global developments, local examples, and practical tools for embedding co-operative values into governance, community ownership, and sustainable business models.

    Unpacking the Social Economy
  • Red and painted cover for “Using the Business Model Canvas for Social Enterprise Design.”

    Using the Business Model Canvas for Social Enterprise Design

    Guides

    This booklet looks beyond the Business Model Canvas as a general tool. It explains how Ingrid Burkett, an Australian social entrepreneur, adapts the Canvas for social enterprises. The booklet guides you step by step on how to use the Canvas to suit social purpose work.

    Using the Business Model Canvas for Social Enterprise Design
  • Students and an adult seated around a table, discussing worksheets in a quiet study space.

    Value of Good Impact Measurement

    Webinars

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

    Value of Good Impact Measurement
  • ventures at the helm

    Ventures at the Helm

    Guides

    This report is a practical guide to impact measurement and management. It explains how enterprises can build strong impact strategies and shows that different approaches are needed at different stages of growth. Rather than using one model for everyone, it encourages flexible, stage-based impact practices.

    Ventures at the Helm
  • A young person wearing a beanie and glasses in conversation, with SVA and CYDA logos above. The image features orange and blue diagonal lines, representing collaboration on disability employment initiatives.

    Voices on Work: Young People with Disability in Greater Melbourne

    Reports

    This report by SVA and CYDA explores the employment experiences of young people with disability in Greater Melbourne. It highlights barriers, workplace challenges, and opportunities for creating inclusive and meaningful employment pathways.

    Voices on Work: Young People with Disability in Greater Melbourne
  • Indigenous-inspired icon and the text “Your Next Generation Measurement and Evaluation Platform.”

    Wathaga: Measurement and Evaluation (M&E) platform

    Platforms
    First Nations

    Wathaga is an online tool made for First Nations programs and organisations. It helps teams collect, store and understand data in a safe and respectful way. Wathaga is built to protect community ownership of data and support cultural values and ethical use.

    Wathaga: Measurement and Evaluation (M&E) platform
  • Cover of the report '#Web3for2030: How can Web3 help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,' featuring a digital network design background and bold pink text.

    #Web3for2030: How can Web3 help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

    Reports

    This UNDP report examines how Web3 technologies like blockchain and decentralised finance can drive social innovation and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides an accessible overview of Web3, highlights its potential for systemic change in areas like finance and governance, and addresses key adoption challenges, including digital exclusion and environmental concerns.

    #Web3for2030: How can Web3 help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
  • A white truck travels along a dirt road through a vast Australian outback landscape, with red rock cliffs and scattered greenery under a bright blue sky.

    Wellbeing Matters Guide

    Guides

    The "Wellbeing Matters Guide" offers insights from social enterprise leaders, particularly in regional, rural, and remote areas. It provides resources to support leaders in enhancing their wellbeing and effectiveness by sharing real-life experiences.

    Wellbeing Matters Guide
  • White wattle flowers blooming on eucalyptus branches against a blue sky background.

    What does Truth-telling for Social Change Look Like?

    Webinars
    First Nations

    BlakCast hosted a powerful webinar exploring the role of truth-telling in social change. In collaboration with John-Paul Janke, Joshua Creamer, and Stacey Thomas, the session examined how organisations can support healing, justice, and reconciliation by centring equity, community, and courageous conversations.

    What does Truth-telling for Social Change Look Like?
  • A small chalkboard with light wooden frame reads "Jobs that care for people & planet" with a leaf illustration. It sits on a table next to green leaves, a glass jar of herbs, and a large blue watering can in the background.

    What is a social enterprise?

    Other

    A social enterprise is a business that puts people and the planet first. They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place.

    What is a social enterprise?
  • A diverse group of professionals engaged in a discussion around a conference table in a modern office setting.

    What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?

    Articles

    This blog introduces the concept of ethical leadership, where decisions prioritise integrity, societal impact, and the common good. It outlines six key principles—respect, accountability, service, honesty, justice, and community—that foster trust, equity, and collaboration in leadership practices.

    What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important?
  • A woman embraces a spotted Dalmatian dog, conveying warmth and comfort against a light blue background.

    ‘What Is Psychological Safety?', McKinsey

    Articles

    Psychological safety is crucial for innovation, teamwork, and organisational success. This article highlights its role in fostering inclusive and high-performing cultures. It outlines leadership strategies to build trust, such as open dialogue, curiosity, and equitable participation. Learn how consultative, supportive, and challenging leadership styles enhance team resilience, creativity, and productivity, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments.

    ‘What Is Psychological Safety?', McKinsey
  • Report cover for What Will It Take? by PwC, SVA, and AEN, focused on youth employment solutions.

    What Will It Take? Creating Better, More Sustainable Jobs for Young People

    Reports

    This report by Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and AEN, with analysis by PwC Consulting, examines barriers to youth employment in Australia. It explores employer challenges, systemic issues, and solutions to improve career pathways for young people, particularly those outside university pathways.

    What Will It Take? Creating Better, More Sustainable Jobs for Young People
  • Illustrated scene with framed ideas, lightbulbs, and a hand writing “Another hunch.”

    Where good ideas come from

    Videos

    Steven Johnson is an author who studies how new ideas are created. In this video, he explains the main ideas from his book 'Where Do Good Ideas Come From?' He shares common patterns seen in history during times when creativity and innovation were strong, and what we can learn from them.

    Where good ideas come from
  • A vibrant composition of colourful balls surrounding a red pillar topped with a red ball, set against a bright blue background.

    Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations, and How to Become One

    Articles

    This article explores inclusive leadership, which fosters belonging, psychological safety, and respect within diverse teams. It highlights six traits—commitment, humility, bias awareness, curiosity, cultural intelligence, and collaboration—demonstrating how inclusive leaders drive team performance, decision-making, and collaboration through consistent behaviours.

    Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations, and How to Become One
  • Overlapping rainbow diamond and triangle shapes forming an optical illusion.

    Why the Lean Start-up Changes Everything

    Articles

    This article by entrepreneur and educator Steve Blank was published in the Harvard Business Review in 2013. It introduces the lean startup method, which focuses on testing ideas quickly, listening to customer feedback, and improving products step by step.

    Why the Lean Start-up Changes Everything
  • Group of photos surrounding the title “Wisdom & Action” on a beige and green background.

    Wisdom & Action

    Podcasts

    The Wisdom & Action Podcast by Small Giants Academy features host Berry Liberman in dialogue with global thinkers, exploring how to transform wisdom into meaningful interventions that address systemic challenges and shape a hopeful future.

    Wisdom & Action
  • A man in a white shirt presenting annual statistics on a screen in a modern conference room, pointing to a graph and world map. Three colleagues seated at a table listen and take notes.

    Your Guide to Making an Excellent Investor Pitch Deck

    Articles

    This short blog focuses on developing a pitch deck for ventures seeking funding. It shares practical tips, a template to structure your pitch as well as common questions. Since it’s from a conventional business perspective you’ll need to consider where your impact proposition should be included.

    Your Guide to Making an Excellent Investor Pitch Deck

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