Women in Social Enterprise

From July 2024 to June 2026, SECNA is helping 500 women in NSW through a business networking and support program proudly funded by the NSW Government.

If you are a woman or non-binary person in New South Wales involved in or interested in social enterprise, this is a great chance to network with other social entrepreneurs. You will have access to peer mentoring, online learning and in-person events statewide, all aimed at helping you start or expand your social business. Your first year of membership in the Program is funded by the NSW Government, which means there is no cost to you.

In person events

Sydney
Wollongong
Newcastle
Armidale
Bega
Byron Bay
And more…

Online learning

How to start a social enterprise
Finding and applying for grants
Legal structures
Employing people
Impact models
Impact measurement
And more…

Peer mentoring

Bring a challenge to the SECNA team to help work through with you, or listen in and contribute to another social entrepreneur’s challenge.

Peer mentoring available twice weekly.

Who is this program for?

For women running, working in, or wanting to start a social enterprise in New South Wales.

We know that businesses that put people and planet first are the best kind of enterprises and the work you do is incredibly fulfilling. We also know that there are challenges and it can be hard to know where to turn for help.

Being part of a network of people who are all changing the world for the better, and who are incredibly generous with their time, resources, advice and connections can make all the difference.

Come and be part of the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT, find other social entrepreneurs and supporters, get advice from us and from the network to help solve your challenges or know where to go to solve them, and get the moral support you need to keep going when times get tough - and to celebrate when times get great!

Join now or reach out to us for a chat. We’d love to see if it’s the right place for you and how we can help.

Why join?

“Being part of a network like this is salve for the tired social entrepreneur’s soul”

-Lesley, SECNA member

Aims of the Women in Social Enterprise program

This program aims to:

  • Increase skills, knowledge and confidence

  • Increase connections and collaboration so that there is greater access to resources and support

  • Increase the number of women starting, joining and growing social enterprises

  • Increase the awareness of and respect for women in social enterprise (such as increased funding, procurement and positive media attention)

How to get involved

We are looking for:

Participants. Women who are running social enterprises and are not yet connected in to the social enterprise sector via SECNA. Women who are thinking about launching or joining a social enterprise and don’t know where to start. Join now.

Social Enterprise Champions. People who are passionate believers in social enterprise, natural connectors and champions of others, who can encourage women working in or wanting to start a social enterprise to find the resources and networks that they need, and facilitate four small networking events per year. Champions will be engaged on a volunteer basis, with stipends for formal engagements and access to professional development funding.

Read the SECNA and Women in Social Enterprise Program Champions Memorandum of Understanding for more information about the role.

Educational Partners. Organisations that have expert knowledge that they can share quickly and easily to help people to start and grow successful social enterprises. The topics may be broad, and will be directed by the needs of participants. There is a small budget to pay educational partners, but some may offer this as pro bono or in kind support. Contact us.

Mentors. We know that the social enterprise sector adds incredible value on all fronts - economic, social and environmental. We also know that running a social enterprise and balancing the purpose and profit imperatives can be difficult and lonely. We welcome anyone who has an interest in seeing social enterprises thrive to join as an Associate Member and be invited to our peer mentoring sessions where you can hear the challenges a social enterprise is facing and contribute to them solving it. Become a member. Join peer mentoring.

Business for Good Lunch hosts. We run lunches for up to 25 people in 11 locations across NSW and ACT, with several more planned. If you can host a lunch (either by choosing a social enterprise cafe to meet at and facilitating the conversation, or by providing a venue and catering), we would love to hear from you. Current hosts include universities, local councils and passionate individuals. Contact us.

Ideas for online platforms. We are looking for ideas that will enable social entrepreneurs to connect with each other and specifically with others in their interest areas (e.g. the industry, impact area, or location they are in), and to share information and resources. Contact us.

Frequently asked questions

  • Women and non-binary people over the age of 18, living in NSW, who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or have working rights in Australia, and who are establishing or operating a social enterprise. This includes women thinking about starting a social enterprise, and women in senior roles within a social enterprise.

  • It is free. The program is fully funded by the NSW Government until June 2026.

  • No, but you can become a member of SECNA and get access to almost all of the same supports and networks. There is a small membership fee. See https://www.secna.org.au/become-a-member for membership options.

  • Access to in-person and online networking events, education, resources, advocacy, peer mentoring and to be part of shaping what SECNA does.

  • This program is funded by Women NSW as part of the NSW Government’s work to increase women’s economic participation under the Women in Business Networks program.

  • This program is funded until June 2026. Participants will be given 12 months access to all events, online learning, peer mentoring and support opportunities. At the end of the 12 months they can choose to join SECNA to stay involved if they wish to.

Funding

The Women in Social Enterprise program is proudly funded by
NSW Government.

Why women?

1 in 2 social enterprises globally is run by a woman, compared to 1 in 5 traditional businesses.

— World Economic Forum

Why social enterprise?

Social enterprises have the heart of a charity and the head of a business, achieving more than either could do alone.

Why now?

The world faces huge social and environmental challenges, many of which could be alleviated by doing business differently - doing business for good. Starting now.