Preethi Mohan

Shape the future of rural social enterprise. Take the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto survey today! It is available in 74 languages. @Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and the @Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) are co-creating a global Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto to influence policymakers. Assist rural communities to be listened to and recognise the distinct needs and ways of engaging with rural communities.   This is your chance to make a difference and help us understand what truly matters to you and your community. Click the link below to take the quick survey and influence the change: https://lnkd.in/gWyYwYvA #RuralSocialEnterprise

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Personal Reflection #2 What values and ethics (excuse me – values and what?) have priority in the social enterprises sector in Australia? The late David LePage proposed in Marketplace Revolution ‘nothing less than a reframing that goes beyond the current market place paradigm’ is what is required to transition to a ‘social value marketplace’. This reframing would help shape ‘healthy communities’. The type of healthy communities envisaged by David were value-laden – they had a set of values by which they agreed to operate. Values that may even be called ‘ethics’. From a different view of the world Mark Carney in his book On Value(s) writes from his experience of being the Governor of both the Bank of England and Canada ‘whenever I could step back from the daily crisis management, the same deeper issues loomed. What is value? Which values underpin value? Does the narrowness of our vision, the poverty of our perspective, mean we undermine what matters most to our collective wellbeing?’ We don’t hear a lot of talk about values in the social enterprise sector in Australia, and even less about ethics. Is that because we assume that being ‘purpose’ focused is enough of a ‘value’ to excuse us from further scrutiny about our values and how they inform our behaviour both professionally and personally? Problem is every narcissist and dictator ever know has been very clear about their ‘purpose’. So, what values do underpin the behaviour of those who identify with a social enterprise sector or a for-purpose community with the aim of ‘caring for people and planet’. What does the sector do when those within it act to interfere negatively with the opportunities others might have in the sector – whether its lobbying to keep others from access to financial resources, whispering half-truths, making personal attacks against fellow social enterprise actors, duplicating what is already effectively working in the sector, or (believe it or not), actively lobbying with a conference organiser to exclude someone from the speakers list and replace them with themselves (not hearsay - the evidence is available). What values or ethics drives this type of behaviour? In a sector operating to do ‘good’ what values drives those who actively have and continue to white-ant others and compete rather than collectively achieve what no single actor in the sector can achieve alone? Envy, jealousy, malice, pride, narcissism, acquisition of power, and don’t forget the money. Money does all sorts of things to people’s values. David LePage’s vision for a new marketplace practiced by healthy communities, prompts us to ask: is the social enterprise sector in Australia a healthy community with a common purpose and a shared set of values? Or maybe as Mark Carney asks: ‘does the narrowness of our vision, the poverty of our perspective, mean we undermine what matters most to our collective wellbeing?’ #socialenterprise #businessforgood #donoharm #truthtelling        

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Peoples eyes glaze over when 'social enterprise' is mentioned 🤸‍♀️ TLDR; Apply before 12 August: https://lnkd.in/gPpX6Nch The Australian Government is investing $11.6mil into the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (shoutout AusGov), so now we have a legit definition for (y')all. (noun.) "A business that puts people and the planet first. They trade like any other business, but exist specifically to make the world a better place." Social Enterprise Australia & Impact Investing Australia have a whole glossary of terms you should check out 👉 https://lnkd.in/gqTvHB-j We (Werkling) have our applications for the WerkInKind initiative open until 12 August. Time's running out & the advisory board are bracing themselves for their advisory duties. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gPpX6Nch #socialenterprisegrant #impactinitiatives #nfpgrant

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"Australia needs to scaleup up in tech or risk to be left behind." That's the title of a very interesting article by Daniel Petre on The Australian. "To truly compete with top-tier innovation hubs, Australia must overcome its geographic isolation by building strong international connections." That's one of the outcomes of latest Mind the Bridge Tech Scaleup Australia Report that has been presented this week at SXSW Sydney (with the support of ACCIONA and Crunchbase). Link for downloading the report in the notes. #startups #openinnovation #australia Serena Orizi Telmo Pérez Luaces Marco Marinucci Guillem Clemente Fernando Fajardo Gerez Serena Valente Giorgio Di Fiore Max Brigonzi Mattia Poletti

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The deep divide over whether community organisations should be political or not is a conversation I have had with so many for-purpose leaders over the last couple of years. It is a hard line to walk, and when 56% of people in this study see advocacy on social and political issues as an important function of community organisations but 49% think community organisations should stick to serving their communities and stay out of politics (and no, I don't know how there's a 7% crossover there, but perhaps those 7% think that you can advocate but still stay out of politics?), it will remain a source of contention. I look forward to more conversations on this topic while we figure out how to strike a balance.

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What's the secret formula to working out how much, and what kind of open space a community needs? Truth is there isn't one. But there are some key ingredients to consider. It was such a pleasure to get to discuss this as a panelist at this week's NSW DPHI Open space Community of Practice event, which focussed on open space provision. A few take aways: - Planning for open space is nuanced, and benchmarking demand depends on a range of factors from number of people; to proximity, quality and capacity of what's nearby; to the diversity of the people who will use it; to the size and shape of the site; the type of housing people will live in; and the $$$ available (to plan, deliver and manage). - Benchmarks are nuanced. From population based; to site based; to aiming to retain existing provisions and standards. - The way we recreate is changing, and the diversity of our communities is changing influencing what we need to provide. - We need to be strategic. From government identifying early where regional open spaces will go that align with the housing targets being set; to enabling local councils to prepare LGA wide strategic open space and recreation strategies (that can get them grant ready; support negotiations around proposals; make the life of DA officers easier; and provide direction for developers). - We must start with need - needs of diverse user groups, needs of places, needs of delivery agencies, needs of future managers There are few things we know: - We must re-evaluate how we value open space, or green infrastructure. It is our truly equitable space. It delivers more health, social, economic and environmental value to the individual, to communities, and to government agencies (particularly in reduced the burden on health service delivery) than any other asset. - While we can improve the capacity of what we have through improved facilities, multipurpose design, shade and seating etc; we are still going to need more open space to respond to growth. Open space cannot just be left over parcels of land; or a nice to have. It simply can't be left of the plan as our housing becomes more dense and tall. - It's the role of many agencies - from the private sector, to local governments to state governments - to deliver the improved and new open space we will need. Bring on more collaboration. Thanks to Fiona Morrison and Bec Watson for driving these conversations and bringing people together so we can share and build our knowledge. It was a pleasure to present with you Paul Melrose Crosbie Lorimer Rohan Buckley Dana Spence. Always up for a chat and to share insights for open space planning from the site, to place, to city and state scale.

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NDIA’s approach to managing intra-plan inflation highlights a potential systemic culture issue within the organization, where financial control & bureaucratic oversight may be prioritized over the needs & rights of participants. This raises the possibility that other critical decisions & processes within NDIS are being handled similarly, without transparency or proper participant input. Let’s dive into some deeper implications of this culture issue, considering how this approach could extend across multiple areas of NDIS. 1. Culture of Financial Control Over Participant-Centered Support Cost over Care: Focus on intra-plan inflation reflects a broader organizational culture that may prioritize controlling costs over providing person-centered care. This culture could extend to other areas, such as how plans are assessed, how funding decisions are made, and how participants are supported. NDIS was meant to empower people with disabilities, but this culture may be eroding participant autonomy & reducing access to necessary supports in the name of cost efficiency. Disregard for Fluctuating Needs: By rigidly focusing on budget adherence & penalizing overutilization, NDIA risks ignoring the reality that disability support needs are dynamic and individualized. This culture could foster a lack of flexibility in other critical areas, such as plan reviews, appeals, and support coordination. The organization might be discounting participant experiences or viewing them through a lens of financial risk, rather than focusing on long-term well-being and inclusion. 2. A Paternalistic Approach to Managing Participants Assumed Participant Misuse: A recurring theme in the study is that participants are seen as potentially "misusing" or "overutilizing" their plans, yet this assumption appears to be driven by administrative data rather than participant realities. This paternalistic attitude reflects a top-down approach, where participants are seen as needing oversight and control rather than empowerment and support. This mindset could permeate other processes, like how complaints are handled, how internal reviews are conducted, & how participants are engaged in decision-making about their own supports. Overregulation & Surveillance: Emphasis on monitoring participant spending without considering the system’s failures (e.g., inadequate funding, bureaucratic delays) suggests that participants are subject to increasing levels of surveillance and scrutiny. This culture of overregulation could result in a loss of trust between NDIA and participants, where participants feel like they are being watched & controlled rather than supported to meet their goals. Mark Sweeney Marie J. Samantha Connor Peter Gregory Veronica Stephan-Miller Byron Stol Graham Taylor Cat Walker Katy Gagliardi Uli Cartwright Loma Naser Annette A. Tara Hannon Jarrad Hills Jarrod Sandell-Hay Natalie Wade Greg Standen Marketing Tactician to NDIS Providers Brendon Grail Mark Toomey

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Are you part of the #PayingWhatItTakes conversation to empower charities to deliver the best possible outcomes for people and communities? Social Ventures Australia and the Centre for Social Impact published a seminal report in 2022 - Paying What It Takes - which showed that not-for-profits in Australia are underinvesting in critical capabilities, due to a pervasive belief that funders are reluctant to provide the full financial support needed to create impact.  https://lnkd.in/gs5YfxvB The SVA team and I are chuffed that the conversation has grown and grown since then! Check out these fantastic movements, resources, organisations and leaders who are contributing to this vital conversation. Follow them to learn and to find out how to get involved. 💡 Pay What it Takes - A movement committed to understanding what it actually takes to create impact, and paying for it. I recommend their great new interview series with Jo Taylor, Leah Armstrong, Sarah Davies AM and more to come. Masterclass at upcoming Philanthropy Australia Conference in Adelaide. https://lnkd.in/gg8BvGzV 💡 Reframe Overhead - Join 500 fundraisers from over 200 organisations that have committed to reframe overheads. I like advice like this: 📣 Focus on Accountability Over Administration, ✅ Highlight Effectiveness Over Capacity Building, 📊 Detailed Financial Breakdown, 💸 Impact of Fundraising, and 🖼 Visual Storytelling. https://lnkd.in/gRzA5zwJ 💡 Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission - Sue Woodward AM and her team recently released the latest analysis of ACNC data showing that in 2022 total revenue in the sector increased by $11 billion to a record high of just over $200 billion, but expenses increased by $22 billion in the same period. https://lnkd.in/gfRT7rrm Thanks for leading and empowering this Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI), ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service, The Smith Family, Our Community, Perpetual Limited and many, many more 🌟

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Striving to work as an ‘ecosystem organizer’ I so appreciate the resources of the Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation. This article on the role of “interemediaries” is super helpful in explaining functions/roles that are often taken for granted (or hard to describe.) “The quest to catalyse large-scale change or shift systems often begins with or is supported through organisations — that is, containing structures that enable a group of people to work collectively in a coordinated way for a shared purpose. With coordination at the heart of these efforts, increasingly, many of these organisations are taking on ‘intermediating’ and/or ‘platforming’ roles, with some combination of the following aims: ✔️providing the mediating and organising mechanisms needed to draw together diverse groups of people, ✔️catalysing collective sensemaking and initiating collaborative action; increasing the flow of resourcing (funds, etc) across ecosystems; and/or ✔️generating learning, knowledge and other forms of resourcing across an ecosystem to support transformative change.” Thanks for lifting up Joss Colchester 🙏🏼 🔗 in comments

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Thank you Philanthropy Australia for the opportunity to comment on McCrindle's recent report. I was particularly struck by these insights, which are mirrored in the growth of collective giving models worldwide, across Australia and at The Funding Network Australia. - Five in six Australians are giving financially - 68% of all donors value the cause area or need over familiarity and reputation of the charity - 61% of Gen Z prefer to give to a start-up charity versus 36% of older donors - Nearly half of Baby Boomers and 65% of Gen Z are “opportunity givers” who give when they hear about a need/issue or are approached for support - Younger generations are more likely to be generous and often spread their donations across multiple charities. Source: https://lnkd.in/gX3PUeUS Enabling a broader number of charitable organisations to thrive, not just the largest, most visible and influential, is the only way we can address the complex and daunting social challenges we face. And, inviting everyone, not just the wealthy, to engage in giving is the only way we will truly change the world. Join us! #phlilanthropytogether #collectivegiving #grassrootsgiving

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✨ Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) grants, valued at up to $120,000 each, are now available ✨ The grants are designed to help eligible social enterprises better demonstrate and grow their social impact. They are available to eligible social enterprises, including Indigenous-owned or controlled organisations with a defined social benefit, working to support Australians experiencing entrenched disadvantage. They are for social enterprises to purchase business and impact capability-building services, such as financial services, evaluation and impact measurement, business consulting and legal advice.  The SEDI Grants program will run through to June 2026. There will be rolling grant rounds, so you can submit anytime. Grants will be awarded based on merit, not on the order of application.   SEDI Grants are administered by Impact Investing Australia and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS). For details and to submit an expression of interest go to: https://lnkd.in/eAxj6KqC #SEDIGrants #socialenterprise #impactinvesting #grants #fundingopportunities

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Some amazing opportunities out in the social enterprise ecosystem right now! Make sure to check these out and see what can help you 👇 #socialenterprise #businessforgood #entrepreneurship #impact

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Social enterprise is business at its best. And, working with social enterprise means traditional businesses can be their best too. We talked to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News and The Business with the Social Traders national awards winners – Edwina Walsh from Assembled Threads, and Nicole Donnison from business member ICON. Edwina and Nicole show what’s possible when business switches some of its spend to social enterprise. As Edwina says: “it's a fantastic game changer — to actually embed corporate responsibility and provide social and environmental impact." And from Nicole’s perspective: “it's really important to our people, to our team… it allows our people to live their values at work…. it’s not a cost it’s an investment."   It’s as simple as thinking differently about the business decisions made every day. Buying from a social enterprise offers quality goods and services that businesses need, as well as social or environmental impact in the same transaction.   Spending with certified social enterprises is increasing by 36% every year - $843m in total in the last six years.   But so much more is possible.    We’re continuing to build our conversations with the Federal Government about national social procurement activity and policy. We’ve been talking with Ministers, Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries and Ministerial Advisers across PMC, Treasury, Finance, Department of Employment, Department of Social Services, NDIS and Government Services. We hear that everyone is jumping on the social enterprise bandwagon. The conversation is moving from what or why, to how.   Why does any of this matter? Because social enterprise is a game-changer. As Edwina says, "it actually does transform someone's life”.   And that’s what we’re here for. 

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🗣️ New Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia: How Do We Talk to Our Kids About It? The recent ban on social media for kids under 16 has a lot of parents wondering, “How do I explain this in a way that makes sense?” 🤔 In my latest blog, I dive into five practical ways to approach this conversation based on your child’s understanding—whether they’re curious, feeling left out, or just want to know why. From keeping it age-appropriate to brainstorming fun offline alternatives, this guide will help you make this topic easier for everyone at the table. 💬 Using The Table Talk Project’s tools, you can turn these discussions into meaningful family moments, building trust and understanding. Read the full blog and get the conversation started today! 📲 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaXF_JVf #SocialMediaBan #TalkingWithKids #TheTableTalkProject #FamilyConversations #ParentingTips #DigitalSafety #SocialMedia

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✨ Reflecting on the Social Media Summit: A missed opportunity for balanced dialogue. Yesterday, NSW and SA Governments kicked off a 2 day summit on exploring & addressing the impacts of social media. Thank you for assembling the people doing the work every day. The different perspectives - it is important we listen to each other. However, despite being pitched as a platform to explore research & solutions, the tone was set early when the SA Premier opened by declaring that "the science is clear and the results are in" - a signal the government had made up its mind. Unfortunately, the rest of the day followed suit. In reality, the science isn't clear. There's still a lack of robust, conclusive evidence that social media is the primary culprit behind youth mental ill health and distress. Yet, despite these proposed bans being framed as a response to Australia’s youth mental health crisis, leading suicide prevention orgs like Orygen and Kids Helpline (yourtown) weren’t consulted or given the opportunity to present their evidence. The sector is united in its concerns about the proposed bans, the need for social media companies to do more, and the importance of young people designing the solutions. *See multiple joint statements and open letters to the Govt* We’re global leaders in research and education on these issues, but it became clear if your views differed, you were relegated to the breakout rooms. I was grateful to speak, bringing nuance through PROJECT ROCKIT’s work and highlighting evidence from frontline orgs. E.G. ReachOut Australia, announced earlier this week that 73% of young Aussies turn to social media for mental health support – another expert benched from discussion. Unfortunately, balance & nuance were pushed off the main stage, which was dominated by imported opinions, cherry-picked stats & misleading conclusions. It was evident by the line-up of keynotes that organisers had selected speakers whose views align with policy-makers’ predetermined position – these are the only preso's to be live-streamed to the broader public. Jean Twenge, Francis Haughen and Dr Jonathon Haidt (SA summit) don’t exactly represent a spectrum of balanced perspectives on the issue. The approach seemed more grounded in fear than in evidence. Despite the divisive and polarising tone of the day, there were positives! Our world-leading eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman - Grant, delivered a powerful address & in the breakout rooms, I heard nuanced perspectives that explored MULTIPLE solutions👏 The highlight was the closing address by young attendees, who shared their experiences and opinions on the proposed bans. Disappointingly, the SA and NSW Premiers and colleagues were absent during this important moment. 🚨 This post isn’t about being ‘for’ or ‘against’ bans, as the conversation is often reduced to – it’s about having integrity in HOW we address youth mental health. Young people must be at the heart of shaping these policies 🚨

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Exciting news! ING Australia and StartSomeGood are pleased to announce the ING Good Finds Social Enterprise Grants. These grants, worth $10,000-$25,000, are for Australian social enterprises who are post launch but still early in their journey, with less than $2M/year turnover (and preference given to those under $1M) but with a clear growth opportunity for which you need funding. This could be to invest in equipment, attend a key trade show, redesign your packing, launch in a new market, develop an improved website or something else you believe will grow trade and revenue, which as a social enterprise should lead to increased impact. Applications opened today and close June 10. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of June and funds must be acquitted by the end of the year. I'll put the link to apply and get more info in the first comment below. This is a rare opportunity to invest in your business operations and increase your traction, especially as a smaller and/or newer social enterprise. Please share this with any social enterprises and founders you know. Thanks! #socialenterprise #socentau #impinv #impactinvesting #grant

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"Lost and unsure, I found a community with purpose, vision, and values that mirrored mine. It awakened a forgotten self, pushing me beyond limitations. Dreams I deemed impossible became my reality. With education, experience, and support, I'm embodying the change I craved. This supportive environment allowed me to rediscover myself and envision a brighter future. I'm taking action, seeing results, and feeling truly welcomed. Gaining new skills through training has bridged the gap to my goals. Banksia Academy's encouragement transformed my outlook from uncertainty to a future brimming with possibilities. Financially independent is no longer a distant dream; I'm measurably on track. With secure employment, I'm contributing to both local and online communities. Every aspect of my life – relationships, health, finances, career – is experiencing a positive shift. Thrilled, grateful, and inspired, I embrace this evolving work landscape, forging a path that hopefully inspires others." ~ Anonymous Banksia Academy Member. Are you a Community Centre or Case Worker supporting women fleeing domestic or family violence? We're here to support you and your clients. What your clients will have access to:   🤝 Connection: A supportive community with access to well being support and community connection. 👩🏻‍💻 Skill Development: Digital skills training programs designed to empower women with new skills aligned to the future of work. 🌱 Personal and professional development:  Masterclasses with a focus on whole person well being and returning to work. 💰 Employment Opportunities: Pathways to employment opportunities with us or opportunities connecting women with supportive employers.   By referring women to Banksia Academy, you open the door to a brighter, more secure future for them and we need your help to reach those who need us most. 💜 Make a Referral Today: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gKKYD6cd #caseworker #communitycentre #refuge #womensrefuge #peace #womenincrisis #referralpartner #domesticviolence #DFV

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Want to know more about Spark Accelerate? (My current project with Spark New Zealand) Here’s a good write up featured on Idealog ☺️

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