Mapping the Impact of Social Enterprise on Disadvantaged Individuals and Communities in Australia’s Regional Cities

Citation

Farmer J, De Cotta T, Kilpatrick S, Barraket J, Brennan-Horley C, McKinnon K, Adler V, Kamstra P, Emery S, Kennedy M, Munoz S & Roy M (2020) Mapping the Impact of Social Enterprise on Disadvantaged Individuals and Communities in Australia’s Regional Cities. Swinburne University of Technology. Melbourne: La Trobe. https://doi.org/10.25916/5ea919c957bac

Abstract
Social enterprises combine a social mission with an enterprise approach. Social enterprises are understood to contribute to the wellbeing of their participants and communities. This report aims to explore how social enterprises realise wellbeing. It is aimed at practitioners, and provides useful tools for understanding wellbeing in social enterprise contexts. Results are derived from four case studies of social enterprises in two regional cities in Australia. To understand wellbeing at social enterprises, the authors explore the case studies through three theoretical lenses: spaces of wellbeing theory; social capital theory; and diverse economies theory. These help to explain how wellbeing is realised at the individual and community levels. Each of these theories presents a different model to understand wellbeing, and all provide valuable insights as applied to social enterprises.

Keywords
Social enterprise; Wellbeing; Social wellbeing; Community development; Australia