Our 2023 Trailblazer and Game Changer awards have been announced! Let’s commemorate the innovative social enterprises, businesses and governments leading the charge in #Business4Good.
Social procurement Trailblazer - National winner
Assembled Threads and Icon
Certified social enterprise Assembled Threads and business member Icon have demonstrated how manufacturing can achieve meaningful impact. Together Assembled Threads and Icon are removing barriers and providing long-term employment to people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the manufacture and supply of PPE and hi-vis equipment.
Social procurement game changer - VIC & TAS region
Winner: Assembled Threads and Icon
Certified social enterprise Assembled Threads and business member Icon took out the VIC & TAS Game Changer award and the Social Procurement Trailblazer - national title - see above.
Finalists: WomenCAN and Kinetic, and Traveller's Aid and Yarra Trams
Kinetic has partnered with WomenCan to facilitate the employment of women facing barriers to work as bus drivers and mechanics. They have also engaged WomenCan's construction and maintenance services to upgrade depot facilities as they work towards a 50% women driver workforce by 2027.
Certified social enterprise Traveller's Aid and Yarra Trams came together to assist those living with a disability to attend the Australian Open. Utilising wheelchairs and personal guidance, Traveller's Aid removed barriers and assisted patrons with exiting trams and entering the Australian Open. Due to the project's success the partnership has now extended to include Moomba, the Grand Prix, Anzac Day Dawn Service, St Kilda Festival, and Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
Social procurement game changer - NT & QLD region
Winner: Natura Pacific and Lendlease Communities
The partnership between certified social enterprise Natura Pacific and business member Lendlease has been delivering remarkable outcomes for the environment since 2016. Natura Pacific and Lendlease have been working together to collect native seeds from development areas in South East Queensland and grow them into young plants through certified training at three local prisons. To date, over 7 million seeds from 136 species have been saved and so far, over 43,000 plants have been planted across 54 locations.
Finalists: Yoga on the inside and QLD Corrective Services, and The Multicultural Professional Network and Brisbane City Council (the Brisbane Business Hub)
Certified social enterprise, Yoga on the inside has teamed up with QLD Corrective Services to provide trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness programs in QLD prisons. Classes have improved inmate's impulse control, reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep and fostered better relationships with others.
The Multicultural Professional Network (MPN) and the Brisbane Business Hub have successfully collaborated to champion diversity, inclusion, and social impact, creating a transformative model that benefits both the business community and broader society. Brisbane Business Hub provided their venue to MPN to host a variety of network events, bring together professionals and businesses committed to social responsibility, enable community development and create jobs.
Social procurement game changer - NSW & ACT region
Winner: Plate it Forward and Mirvac
Certified social enterprise Plate it Forward and business member Mirvac have joined forces to provide training, employment, financial security and wellbeing for vulnerable community members. To date the partnership has donated over 443,000 meals to those in need, paid wages of over $2,775,000 and provided over 58,000 hours of employment to refugees, people living with disabilities and asylum seekers.
Finalists: Muru Mittigar Limited and Transurban/Ventia, and Youngster.co and ISPT
In 2022, Transurban and Ventia enlisted the help of certified social enterprise Muru Mittigar on the Hills M2 motorway project. The partnership enabled staff to work whilst studying a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens resulting in financial independence and long-term employment outcomes.
Certified social enterprise Youngster.co and business member ISPT came together to bridge the digital divide between young people and seniors. The partnership successfully connected young people with seniors to provide technology assistance at 5 shopping centres across Australia. 88 young people held a total of 1,032 sessions assisting over 1,000 seniors with a range of technological issues.
Social procurement game changer - WA & SA region
Winner: Blend Creative and business member Australia Post
Certified social enterprise Blend Creative and business member Australia Post continue to unlock inclusive employment through their rewarding social procurement partnership. During the process of creating an easy-read accessibility and inclusion plan for Australia Post, Blend Creative was able to provide 8 staff members an invaluable 96 hours of design training, learning and development.
Finalists: Taboo and City of Adelaide, and Dismantle and Kardan
To address period poverty in Adelaide, certified social enterprise Taboo Period Products teamed up with Youth Inc. Through the development and implementation of a community impact project funded by a council grant, the collaboration has enabled workspaces, community groups, schools and universities to support their community with high quality period products.
In a remarkable effort to break the cycle of social disadvantage, certified social enterprise Dismantle and business member Kardan are combining forces to create more inclusive opportunities for young people at risk. Dismantle and Kardan have teamed up to supply and install active transport systems, such as bicycle racks for the Department of Transport, creating meaningful employment. The collaboration has achieved game changing financial outcomes and provided one-on-one case management support, including mentoring around financial literacy, work-readiness, mental health, relationships, and healthy living to ReNew youth employees.
Social Traders | Hall of Fame
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