Join a Community of Practice

  • Industry

    Connect with other social enterprises that sell the same goods and services as you do to learn from each other and lift each other up.

    Current and proposed industry communities of practice include:

    • Circular economy

    • Health and wellbeing

    • Cafes, restaurants and catering

    • Horticulture

    • Local government (for councils)

    • Incubators and accelerators

    • Construction and labour hire

  • Impact

    What is the change you’re creating in the world? Work with other social enterprises striving for the same goals.

    Current and proposed impact communities of practice include:

    • Work integrated social enterprises (creating employment for people who need it most)

    • Refugee and migrant social enterprises

    • Fair food

  • Location

    Do you know the other businesses for good in your town, city or region? It’s good to have neighbours who can lend each other a hand. Find yours and join them for a Business for Good lunch quarterly.

    Current groups include:

    • Canberra

    • Wollongong

    • Newcastle

    • Armidale

    Proposed locations include:

    • Parramatta

    • Byron Bay

    • Bega

    • Blacktown

Refugee and Migrant Social Enterprise community of practice

This group started meeting in 2019, before SECNA was formed, and was absorbed into our communities of practice in 2023.

The group meets quarterly online.

Members include:

The Bread & Butter Project - a social enterprise that provides training and employment pathways in Australia’s bakery and hospitality industry, to secure sustainable employment for refugees and people seeking asylum.

The Social Outfit - a social enterprise fashion label founded with the purpose of supporting women from refugee and new migrant communities to kick-start their Australian careers.

Catalysr - a start-up accelerator that empowers migrant and refugee entrepreneurs to launch their own business and create a more inclusive Australia.

Migrant Women in Business Pty Ltd (MWiB) - founded to support migrant women with a nano or micro business to thrive and grow and for their owners to become community leaders.

Settlement Services International - SSI - a community organisation and social business that supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential.

Health and Wellbeing community of practice

Physical and mental health and wellbeing is incredibly important and there are some amazing social enterprises ensuring that everyone has access to inclusive, supportive ways to be healthy and well.

This group started meeting in May 2023 to share resources, ideas, challenges and opportunities, and meets quarterly online.

Members include:

Collective Leisure, Australia's first social enterprise leisure management company, certified by Social Traders. They provide well-being initiatives and adaptive sports programs in Western Sydney.

Community Flower Studio Inc. - a youth-focused charity which has a not-for-profit Social Enterprise arm. They sell floral arrangements, indoor plants and art pieces to the public.

Addventageous - a social enterprise that creates opportunities for change, empowering cycling connected cities and communities to support health and wellbeing for people and Country.

Circular Economy community of practice

There are so many incredible businesses-for-good seeing waste as a resource, and working towards a circular economy. Some work to reduce waste, others to reuse, repair or recycle.

This group started meeting in June 2023 and meets quarterly online.

Members include:

The Reconnect Project - a social enterprise that gives pre-owned mobile devices a new life by providing them to people in need.

Circle Paints Limited which reduces waste to landfill, reduces carbon emissions, and provide customers with affordable, high quality decorative paint

OzHarvest, a charity fighting food waste.

Mates on the Move - a social enterprise that provides training and employment opportunities to people leaving prison through their commercial waste management service.

Purple Card Project which enables communities to have a positive environmental impact by connecting people with potential environmental projects with the consultation, project management support, and community funding they need to bring their projects to life.

Local Government community of practice

This group started meeting in 2023 and is an opportunity to share information, resources and ideas between councils in NSW & ACT. Topics of discussion include social procurement, grants, in-kind support and navigation for social enterprises, events and more.

Attendees come from a variety of roles including economic development, community development, procurement, executives and councillors.

The group meets quarterly online.

“I’m looking forward to being more involved with the CoP – I think it’s invaluable and I really appreciate you making this happen.”

Anitra Morgan, City of Sydney

Members include:

City of Sydney

Parramatta City Council

Wollongong City Council

Bayside Council

Central Coast Council

How to join a Community of Practice

If you are new to SECNA, join as a member and select one or more Communities of Practice in the membership form

If you are already a member, log in and Edit Membership Info to review your membership details, including the list of Communities of Practice you are interested in.