General News
7 February, 2025
Centre for Participation aims to grow social enterprises with grant
Grant to help Centre for Participation grow social enterprises.
Horsham-based non-profit organisation, the Centre for Participation, has received a $120,000 grant from the federal government's Department of Social Security's Social Enterprise Development Initiative.
Centre for Participation chief executive Robbie Millar said the money would aid the organisation, along with its partners Societal Outcome Solutions, Disruptive Media and Think Impact, in growing its three social enterprises.
"All three of [our] enterprises that have been established, they've got different roles in the community, but they [each] support marginalised people into the workforce, particularly people with a disability," Mr Millar said.
The Wimmera Food Collective, located at the Centre for Participation in Urquhart Street, focuses on bringing together quality produce to boost healthy eating and sustainability in the local region and beyond.
Meanwhile, My Care Crew helps people live independently, build connections, and be active in their community.
Additionally, Laneway Cafe without Borders is primarily designed to offer opportunities for marginalised people to get hands-on hospitality experience.
"Now that we've got them established, what we're really looking at doing is consolidating the business models for growth," Mr Millar said.
"[We're] looking at where we can get more sales, more outcomes for people with a disability, more employment outcomes, and looking at growing our businesses.
"This grant will work with those three key partners to look at that."
Think Impact will work on the business development of the three enterprises and their individual business plans.
Disruptive Media will help with the marketing and distribution of those brands.
And, Social Outcome Solutions will look to help set up larger contracts through social procurement.
"By mid-year, we should have finished the business plans, and then we'll look at the next five years of how we can grow those business models, both from a fee for service point of view, but also employment outcomes," Mr Millar said.