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Community enterprise

The Department of Planning and Community Development encourages the development of community enterprises because they play a part in building stronger and more connected communities.

Community enterprise includes a variety of non-profit initiatives that combine business principles and practices with social objectives. For the not-for-profit sector, community enterprise can be a mechanism for innovation and financial sustainability, or a vehicle for local development and employment creation.

The success of community enterprises is based on their ability to meet a particular community need or social objective. These objectvies can be creating local jobs and training, retaining a community asset, or providing services for children, people with mental illness or a disability.

Although profitability is not the main objective, financial viability is very important in developing strong enterprises that can meet their social objectives over the longer term. For this reason, understanding and using business principles and practices is an essential element.

Role of the Department of Planning and Community Development

Community enterprises support the development of local approaches and initiatives to meet local needs and help to establish links between communities, business and government. DPCD encourages the creation of local employment, work experience and training opportunities that can be achieved through enterprise development.

The Department is developing a number of initiatives to assist community enterprises and the non-profit sector:

Funding the development of enterprises

DPCD is funding three organisations to develop different enterprises:

• Brotherhood of St Laurence –enterprises in Neighbourhood Renewal sites
• Adult Multicultural Education Services – enterprises for recently settled communities in inner and South East Melbourne
• Social Firms of Australia – enterprises for people with mental illness

Research and case studies

DPCD is undertaking research to profile social enterprises and not-for-profit business ventures in Victoria. The Department will also publish case studies identifying key success factors of social enterprises across the State.

Legislation and regulation reform

The Victorian Government is developing long term plans to improve non-profit law and regulation. DPCD recognises that this issue is important for strengthening the capacity of community organisations.

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