Over the two decades leading up to 2020 the idea of a national strategy has been widely discussed but not developed. It was during the Social Enterprise Virtual Unconference in April 2020 (in a session led by ACRE) that discussions gained momentum. Based on sector feedback, SENVIC and ACRE advanced the concept and convened a national expert advisory committee comprising the English Family Foundation, SENVIC, SASEC, Social Traders, and ACRE.
The journey toward realizing this vision took shape through the creation of the Social Enterprise National Strategy initiative—a sector-driven effort. The English Family Foundation became a seed funder, with our CEO, Belinda Morrissey, chairing the SENS Advisory Committee. EFF gathered several philanthropic organizations to join the collaborative funding to engage the Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation (GCSI, formerly The Yunus Centre) on research and synthesis of design and development considerations for a national strategy. This evolved into a co-production and pathfinding process that fostered a shared sense of purpose and direction within the social enterprise sector. The process culminated in a meeting of sector leaders, intermediaries, and funders, where research findings were presented, and a recommended course of action was agreed upon.
In November 2021, the SENS Advisory Committee implemented the approach proposed by GCSI, leading to the establishment of Social Enterprise Australia in February 2022 as the nation’s first peak body for social enterprise. Social Enterprise Australia was tasked with facilitating and leading the development of a national strategy (continuing the SENS initiative) and serving as a peak representative body for social enterprises in Australia, including engagement with the Federal Government and other national organizations. Our CEO Belinda was appointed to the Board Chair position.
Through co-production with the sector, it set a vision and mission (shared direction), principles and values (agreed ways to work together), and a map for organising infrastructure (a systems approach to working together nationally) to enable the sector to work together to help tackle big-picture challenges.
Social Enterprise Australia advocates for and connects the sector to unlock the impact of social enterprise and it works with the sector to lead its national strategy. The strategy is challenge-led, focusing on priorities where social enterprise can help most. This includes environmental care, people-centred services, access to decent work, and community-led innovation.
A key element of locking in sector led governance for Social Enterprise Australia was the launch of their membership model in April 2025, where social enterprises can join as voting members. In line with this evolution of governance our CEO strongly believed that the national peak should be led by a social entrepreneur not philanthropy, and so decided to hand over the role of Board Chair to fellow Board member Alexie Seller and instead move into the Deputy Chair role.
Reflecting on the decision Belinda said “At the English Family Foundation we always seek to understand the role of philanthropy in systems change within the social enterprise sector. We look at how we can best add value. Part of this is also understanding when it is time to step into a different role because the sector can and should lead, and this is that moment for me.”
“I am so proud to have been able to lead Social Enterprise Australia as Chair for these past years, it has been such a privilege to be able to walk alongside the sector within this important work. It is absolutely the right time for the Chair to be a social enterprise leader like Alexie – I see Alexie as a shining star within the next generation of female leaders.”
You can read more about Social Enterprise Australia here.