Young Social Enterprises Stand Out
25 October 2016 at 2:59 pm
Early-stage social enterprises are among the best and brightest in Australia, with a large number making up the 26 finalists in this year’s Social Enterprise Awards.
David Brookes, managing director of Social Traders, which runs the annual awards, told Pro Bono Australia News the number of young finalists reflected the growth of social enterprise in Australia.
“This year we’ve seen the highest number of applications since the awards first started in 2013, with a large proportion of applications coming from enterprises that have been trading for less than three years,” Brookes said.
“We’re delighted to see so many diverse, young and innovative enterprises participating in this year’s awards.
“The awards provide a great platform for recognition and this attracts many social enterprises that are keen to be noticed and stand-out from their competitors – in particular early stage, young social enterprises.”
National research, Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector, found the number of young social enterprises had surged.
In 2010, 62 per cent of social enterprises had been operational for more than 10 years. In 2016 this figure has dropped to 38 per cent, with more than one-third of social enterprises operational for only two to five years.
It’s estimated that there are now 20,000 social enterprises operating across Australia.
Social Traders also received a record 119 applications this year. Comparatively, it received 78 last year and 90 in 2014.
This year’s finalists are from diverse range of industries, including hospitality and retail, housing, consulting and environment.
Award winners from the eight categories, including the new women’s impact award, will be selected Wednesday 30 November in Melbourne by an independent judging panel.
The women’s impact award recognises an initiative that has “demonstrated a substantial impact” in contributing to the benefit of disadvantaged women.
The finalists are Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, which aims to make childbirth injuries a thing of the past, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council, and Women’s Property Initiatives, which provides affordable, secure, long-term housing for vulnerable women.
See here for the finalists for social enterprise of the year (small), social enterprise of the year (large), one to watch award, social enterprise innovation award, capital for impact, buy social and social enterprise champion.
