Australia’s social enterprises can make a significant contribution toward a more equitable society, but are constrained by limited financial, public policy and other ‘ecosystem’ supports, according to the authors of this paper.

The new rubric presented in this report provides a well-evidenced model for understanding the core elements of Pacific social enterprise, which in turn can inform future investments and planning of sustainable Pacific social enterprise models, unlocking the potential of Pacific communities, families and successful enterprises.

The impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have stretched far beyond the immediate public health concerns. Built on in-depth conversations with civil society leaders from across Australia, this report offers crucial insights into the for-purpose sectors ability to help people in need during crisis and beyond.

The briefing paper defines concepts of both the circular and social economy, and describes the potential of the social economy to support circular activities and related business models and to reinforce uptake of circularity around the world.

This research report focuses on Australia’s social venture ecosystem – the entrepreneurial ecosystem that grows and sustains social ventures across Australia.