Research launch: Understanding the impact costs of work integration social enterprises
The sector was invited to attend the online launch of research by the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, commissioned by Social Enterprise Australia and funded by the Westpac Foundation: Understanding the Impact Costs of Work Integration Social Enterprises. The launch was held on Thursday 30 November 2023. To catch the presentation of the research and its findings the panel discussion and Q&A, click on the video below.
Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) or jobs-focused social enterprises exist to provide employment, or pathways to employment, for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.
They play a vital role in creating employment opportunities for people facing complex barriers to work. However, because they prioritise their social purpose, they incur costs that standard businesses do not.
With the growing focus on outcomes funding from government, philanthropy, and impact investment, understanding the nature of the Impact Costs that WISEs face has become increasingly important.
This research - to understand these WISE ‘Impact Costs’ and to provide a framework so that all WISEs can estimate their Impact Costs, is now available.