Members of Queensland’s social enterprise network welcomed the State Government’s announcement of the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy (QSES), launched today by the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Employment and Small Business and for Training and Skills Development.

The Minister also announced $450,000 for a new Social Enterprise Grants program, providing up to $50,000 of matched funds to start-up social enterprises.
 
Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) Chair, Emma-Kate Rose and QSEC’s newly appointed Executive Officer, Elise Parups were on-hand at the Nundah Co-op (QSEC member, and one of Qld's oldest employment-focused social enterprises) today, to thank Ms Fentiman for the Department’s continued support of the growing sector.
 
“For the past six years, the volunteer QSEC Board have tirelessly advocated and mobilised a growing grassroots movement to deliver social impact through innovative business models. We're delighted to see our efforts recognised through Queensland’s first Social Enterprise strategy, and particularly grateful for Minister Fentiman’s enthusiasm for the growth of the sector,” Ms Rose said.

The Minister has also supported the bid to attract the Social Enterprise World Forum to Queensland in 2021, which is being co-led by Impact Boom and QSEC. The bid process has secured significant support from a large range of partners nationally, including the English Family Foundation and other philanthropists, Local Government, Queensland's tertiary education institutions, QSEC Members and associated partners.

Organisational support was also granted by the Department for the creation of two new positions to allow QSEC to broaden its reach for sector development in the regions. “It is significant that this strategy, a first for social enterprise in Qld, recognises the value that social enterprise brings, while addressing many of society’s intractable problems through innovative business models.

"We look forward to working with the Queensland Government to build enterprise capability and capacity, deliver social procurement outcomes and support emerging enterprise who want to use business as a force for good,” Ms Rose concluded.

You can read the Queensland Government Media Statement here, and the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy here.