Match social outcomes with economic reality

With the pressures of economic realities, social enterprises have entered a new phase in the Australian landscape. Working towards often seemingly clashing goals, the sector has seen the need to regularly review and revisit social objectives.

Harnessing these thoughts, the Social Traders SES project team headed to the north eastern coastal areas of Byron Bay and Nambucca Heads.

Armed with 17 years of small business financial management, and a desire to make things right, Social Traders Business Development Advisor Mahesh with public relations expert Jessica arrived in Byron Bay on a sunny afternoon to spend time with the crew at the Byron Bay Community Centre.

If looking for an example of how community has pulled together the vital ingredients to build a cultural and social hub for a town bursting with transient people, here it is. Byron Bay Community Centre is a refurbished original building in the centre of town. It plays host to a delicious choice of arts and theatre productions, cultural creations in artisan markets, is the home for community businesses including local radio and counselling services. Add to the mix 200 homeless regulars - who arrive weekly to collect fresh produce from local farmers, feast upon the warming foods of local cooks and have a place to be welcomed - the building is central to Byron Bays sense of purpose.

And if all that is not enough - just ask the 300 volunteers who work every month in making the centre open, close, be warm, be happy and safe.

Amongst all this activity and intent is the Community Table Cafe - a burgeoning social business which creates freshly baked goodies, brews chai tea over two days to enhance the flavours, and presents the funkiest chilli choc this side of Barcelona.

Heading South towards Sydney, the team slid through the rain delighting Mahesh with a brief viewing of native 'roos to the area. Taking a right off highway no.1, Nambucca Pride Cafe appears through drips of water.

This training and employment cafe works with disadvantaged people from the local area providing a formal and practical training experience, driving skills leading to licensing, and most importantly, the exposure to real employment opportunities.

Using this training platform to create healthy low cost meals for the community, preparing homemade packaged meals to take away, and skilling groups of young people in budgeting and cooking, has enabled this cafe to make a place for itself in the Nambucca community.

Facing the barriers of matching social objectives with economic sustainability has meant so many social enterprises need to review, revisit and re-engage with their social aspects to achieve the long term goals. It is tough, it is challenging - however with the right focus and skills the balance between the social and economic will become complementary.