Award Recognises Ethical NFP

An Australian Not for Profit organisation that works to empower marginalised and disabled women through literacy, skills training and employment  is the winner of the 2014 Ethical Enterprise Award.

Announced at the inaugural Ethical Enterprise Conference and ceremony dinner in Melbourne, the award was presented to the organisation called Seven Women for its commitment to providing positive impact and change, with the NFP taking home $10,000.

Seven Women began as a grass roots development project for seven women who were found operating out of a tin shed in Nepal and enduring harsh discrimination due to their disability and has developed  into two centres in Nepal and one regional centre, which together have trained and employed over 700 marginalised women.

Now in its second year, the award Ethical Enterprise Award was presented by Moral Fairground, a Melbourne-based social enterprise and organiser of the annual Fair@Square, Australia’s largest ethical and fair-trade festival.

Susanna Bevilacqua, CEO of Moral Fairground and award co-founder said the Seven Women program is a best practice example of the power of ethical enterprise for making genuine positive change.

“The Seven Women program employs fair trade principles to produce all their products and not only does the program empower the women involved, it has a flow-on effect into the women’s communities,” Bevilacqua said.

Phil Vernon, Managing Director of Australian Ethical and award co-founder, said he believes the award raises awareness of the importance of ethically oriented business in meeting global social and environmental challenges.

“This award celebrates not only the direct positive impact of socially conscious enterprises but also their leadership in demonstrating to all business how to align an ethical, sustainable offering with long term financial returns and viability,” Vernon said.

“Seven Women have a conscious and innovative business model that is a testament to the growth of ethical enterprise in Australia.”

The finalists for the Ethical Enterprise Award were;

Dharma Door, a fair-trade homewares and lifestyle products making a positive impact through trade.

Eternal Creations, a fair-trade fashion brand with a transparent and ethical manufacturing process.

ETIKO, ethically made, eco-friendly clothing, footwear and sports gear.

Mission Australia, generating positive impact through employment opportunities for people excluded from the open labour market and reduction of state-wide mattress waste.

STREAT, a social enterprise that provides homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 16-25 years with a supported pathway from the streets to a career in the hospitality industry.