New study helps Australia's social economy thrive

• CEOs and senior leaders are invited to participate in the Center for Social Impact's first annual Socioeconomic Survey.
• The resulting socioeconomic report will provide insights that can help inform policy, drive growth in the sector, and drive greater impact for targeted organizations.

CEOs and leaders from across Australia's social economy are being invited to join a major new longitudinal study, with the Center for Social Impact Research's findings helping to inform policy and drive growth within the sector.

The CSI Socioeconomic Report is a triennial study that analyzes the nature, role and changing needs of the country's socioeconomics over time.

As part of the survey, the Center for Social Impact recruits more than 200 nonprofits to participate annually in a new socioeconomic survey.

The study joins a global movement to embrace the use of the term 'social economy' and better recognize the incredible value and contribution of non-profits, philanthropy, social enterprises, cooperatives, mutuals and more.

This shift in perspective takes on particular importance when considering that nonprofits make an economic contribution equal to 8.5% of GDP, and employ 1.42 million people. In addition, cooperatives and mutuals contribute approximately $90 billion to Australian income levels.

Despite this incredible contribution, the field is held back by a lack of data and evidence-informed insight into what is happening in the social economy.

At a time when Australia's social economy is facing unprecedented challenges, this inaugural survey will identify challenges and opportunities and address knowledge gaps on how to make the sector as a whole work better.

The survey will provide us with insights into some of the key areas affecting socioeconomic systems;

1. Measuring impact and demonstrating evidence of outcomes
2. Reforming the legal framework and reforming regulations for social economic enterprises
3. An Analysis of Emerging Funds and Funding Sources for the Social Economy
4. Exploring forms of collaboration and partnerships across the sector and beyond

These findings will be used to develop a longitudinal report that will help mission leaders and policy makers make informed decisions, implement targeted strategies, and foster growth in the social economy. After participating in the survey, participants can join forums to get first-hand access to survey results and engage with other senior leaders on emerging trends, aspects of the operating environment that enable success, and measuring the positive impacts they are having on communities.

„Social purpose organizations are vital to Australia's fabric and well-being. Their tireless efforts to address social, environmental and cultural needs contribute to our nation's overall resilience and progress, providing essential services, advocating and effecting positive change. But a lack of data holds back knowledge and support for further development. ” said Associate Professor Melissa Edwards, lead researcher on the Socioeconomic Report.

„Findings from our research will address this gap by empowering industry stakeholders and providing valuable insights to policy makers, researchers and advocates so social purpose organizations can build and deepen their extraordinary contribution to our society.”

Participate in research

Directors of Social Impact Centers across Australia have welcomed the Socioeconomic Report and the opportunities it brings to the not-for-profit sector:

„The Socioeconomic Report will create a national review of challenges, trends and opportunities. It will link to global work and provide important comparative insights into how policies and approaches can be improved in Australia” – Prof Daniel Locke Director, CSI University of New South Wales.

„Due to the sector's high workload and insufficient resources, it has always been difficult to obtain data on the challenges faced by the sector and the outcomes it collectively produces. However, when we had this data in the past, we were able to use it to highlight areas of need for investment,” – Prof. Erin Wilson Director, CSI Swinburne University of Technology.

„The Social Economy Report is a rare opportunity for CEOs and leaders to aim to shape the future of their sector. We encourage everyone to join the collective effort to build a thriving social economy in Australia,” – Prof. Ian Goodwin-Smith Director, CSI Flinders University.

„We know that non-profits, social enterprises, philanthropic foundations and other purpose-driven organizations are doing incredible work for our communities. We see this in the evidence we collect in project evaluations with the Social Purpose Organization. Ask at our workshops, and in the data we analyze in our economic analyses. Socioeconomic What the study will help us do is identify trends and challenges facing social purpose organizations across Australia, which are critical to ensuring the positive potential of social economy and social change,” – Prof. Paul Flatau Director, CSI University of Western Australia.

¹Australian Charities Report (2023), Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission

²BCCM 2021. National Mutual Economic Report BCCM-2021-NME-Report.pdf

³Social entrepreneurs. 2023. Pace 2023: Profile of Australia's Certified Social Enterprises