Tasmanian Social Enterprises will have the opportunity to share knowledge and promote interest in the first-ever Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study (TSES). The Tasmanian Government and University of Tasmania are partnering in this exciting research project that aims to identify and record the activity and needs of the Social Enterprise sector.
Research Associate, Kylie Eastley is working with Dr Robyn Eversole from the Institute for Regional Development in Burnie to collect the data that will contribute to the future of social enterprise in Tasmania.
‘We are calling out to all those hard working and passionate individuals, businesses and community organisations who are working in this area to tell us their stories about social enterprise,’ Ms Eastley said.
‘With the Tasmanian Government providing $3 million in loans to the social enterprise sector, this survey will provide a valuable opportunity for profiling enterprises and learning more about the sector.’
Tasmanian companies, non profits and organisations are being invited to be part of the study by completing an online survey and sharing their knowledge with the research team. The results will be publicly available by mid 2011 and will help to identify what is needed to encourage and support the sector.
A social enterprise has a mission to create public or community benefit and conducts some kind of regular trading activity to support this work.
The major difference between a social enterprise and standard business is that a social enterprise is often responding to a need in the community, the mission is as important as (if not more important than) the profit, and profits made through the sale of a product or service are reinvested into a community or social activity.
‘We know many social enterprises are operating within Tasmania and they have been making an impact on the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of Tasmanians for many years. They may not even be aware that is what they are doing, but it is important we find out what they are doing and what they need to continue their work.’
Those interested in participating in the study can complete a survey which asks social enterprises to submit information before Friday 4th March 2011. Results from the Tasmanian survey will provide a comparison with national findings from the FASES (Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector) survey which was developed by Queensland University of Technology and Social Traders.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION about the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study, please contact the Research Associate Kylie Eastley at [email protected] or call 0439 262 344 or Dr Robyn Eversole at [email protected] The survey is available online via www.socialenterprisetasmania.blogspot.com or a hard copy can be sent upon request.
