Social enterprises in the Latrobe Valley and across Gippsland will have greater opportunities to expand their business, employ new staff and access more markets as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s landmark Social Enterprise Strategy.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today launched the strategy at Latrobe Valley Enterprises – a social enterprise providing jobs for people with disabilities through its network of community service businesses – in Morwell.

The new Social Enterprise Strategy, which is supported by $5 million in funding from the Labor Government, identifies three key areas for action:
• increasing sector impact and innovation
• building business capacity and skills
• improving market access.

Immediate priorities include establishing a state-wide Victorian Social Enterprise Network, sector research and economic modelling, a feasibility study for online skills development and training opportunities for social enterprises.

A social procurement framework will also be developed to help open more government contracts to purchasing goods and services from social enterprises, generating positive outcomes for the Victorian economy and community.

The Gippsland region is home to more than 200 social enterprises – including a mixture of services in hospitality, training delivery, and youth and disability support.

Organisations like Gippsland Employment Skills Training Inc and Lifeline Gippsland are making huge contributions to local communities.

The Government has consulted with more than 160 social enterprises and stakeholders to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of the sector. You can access a copy of the Social Enterprise Strategy at www.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/social-enterprise

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Social enterprises based in the Gippsland region really do amazing work for our local communities, and they will directly benefit from the initiatives outlined in this Australian-first strategy.”

“This sector has enormous potential for economic growth and job creation, and I’m excited to watch it flourish.”