| One of the major challenges facing civil society organisations in both Australia and Latin America is achieving financial sustainability. Coupled with this problem, the enterprise dynamic of many organisations is hampered by dependence on grant funding, which is turn leads to short-termism and instability in the services they provide and the benefits to citizens and communities.
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The social enterprise sector in Australia has developed rapidly in recent years both in its size and sophistication. In Latin America, there is growing interest in the potential of social enterprise, but very little practical information is available in a form that can be adapted to local contexts. In particular, organisations are seeking knowledge and insights on legal frameworks that support the growth of the so-called fourth sector, approaches to business modelling and ways to select and support income-generating activities that contribute to organisational objectives.
Enormous scope exists for sharing with Latin American organisations knowledge drawn from social enterprise within the social-economic and business culture of Australia, including best practices, case studies and successful experiences. At the same time, existing social enterprise initiatives in this field in Latin America would benefit from analysis that draws out insights on the key factors that have led to their success.
Download the article "Six essential questions for social entrepreneurs" written bySteve Fisher, Community Works. |
