By David Jones | Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Business Sydney | Mob: 0448 285 996

Business Sydney today urged the business community to make purchasing from social enterprises part of their procurement policies, with the call coinciding with the release of an in-depth paper hailing the social enterprise sector.

Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said businesses could follow the lead of the NSW Government, which has made social enterprises part of the “if not, why not” policy of supporting NSW businesses in purchasing procedures.

The NSW Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos launched the paper titled, ‘Social Enterprises — Unlocking Life-Changing Economic Power’.

The paper includes a five-step action plan to build the social enterprise sector.

Mr Nicolaou said the government and the business community could join forces to ensure social enterprises are seen as a valued part of the state’s economic life in creating jobs and opportunities.

“With 4,000 social enterprises in NSW contributing $9 billion to the state economy in the year to June 2025, our state is the leader in this growing sector,” Mr Nicolaou said.

“Social enterprises help vulnerable groups in the community to find work and career opportunities that might not otherwise exist, and we must do everything possible to help them prosper.

“It is imperative that businesses give due consideration to engaging with social enterprises by making them part of their supply chain procurement policies.

“We would like to see businesses follow the government’s lead in recognising social enterprises as one of the most innovative and inspiring sectors of the business community.”

The social enterprise paper features nine social enterprises that are active in a number of fields. They are:

  • The Bread & Butter Project
  • Plate it Forward
  • Hotel Etico
  • The Freedom Hub
  • Jigsaw Australia
  • The Reconnect Project
  • Community Construction
  • Revolve ReCycling
  • The Social Outfit

Mr Nicolaou said the paper shines a light on how business and entrepreneurship can have a life-changing impact on people and how they can make their way in the world.

“Social enterprises build our society in such a positive way whether it is opening job opportunities for the disabled or offering a way forward for people who have come to our country seeking refuge and a new life,” Mr Nicolaou said.

“They are making a strong and measurable contribution to the NSW economy but, with tangible encouragement, they could do so much more.

“The paper includes recommendations that can drive the sector further including the government and the private sector setting procurement targets.”

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David Jones --- Public Affairs Manager | 0448 285 996

David is a Walkley Award-winning journalist with a distinguished career spanning more than half a century in print, television and radio journalism, political and corporate affairs and high-level media relations including incident and issues management. Media Enquiries - David Jones M: 0448 285 996