This year’s Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) was held in Brisbane, Australia. Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS), in partnership with SEWF via the International Social Enterprise Observatory (ISEO) were able to support delegates from the Scottish third sector to attend SEWF22 in-person. Included in those receiving support was Aimee, our Rural Social Enterprise Coordinator.
To kick off the SEWF, delegates were given the option of 3 social enterprise tours to attend on Monday the 26th of September. Aimee took part in Brisbane Tour B which focused on 6 social enterprises scattered throughout Brisbane.
The first stop on the tour was to the Lovewell Café on Mt Gravatt Mountain which works with women who are rebuilding their lives and
provides a safe place and community for them to grow into their purpose. Participants were treated to a complimentary coffee and nibbles and heard the inspirational story of the café’s barista who had turned her life around with the support of the Lovewell Foundation.
Next, participants were taken to TAFE Queensland, a technical and further education college where they met 2 different social enterprises. They first looked at Jigsaw, an NDIS funded employment skills training and paid work experience program for people with disability that prepares them for employment. They were also taken to Mantua Sewing Studio which provides amazing opportunities for people with refugee and migrant backgrounds.
It was then onto the Food Connect Shed for a tour of the premises and a complimentary lunch. The Food Connect Shed home to over 20 good food organisations and businesses who collaborate together to create something very special. The group then proceeded to Bee One Third, a social enterprise that works with local beekeepers, and the surrounding community, to increase the local bee population. Participants were provided with some samples of the different honey produced at the organisation.
The final stop on the tour was to the Worlds Biggest Garage Sale by Circonomy for a tour of the factory floor and their impact within the community. Circonomy is a a national recovery and repair service which looks at reducing waste by repurposing or refurbishing products which are unable to be sold in their current condition.
Following the tour, a few delegates were invited to a civic reception with the Lord Mayor of 
Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner in Brisbane City Hall. The civic reception provided the Lord Mayor with an opportunity to welcome participants to the SEWF22 and gain more insight into the work that is being done in social enterprises throughout the world. The Scottish delegates then met for some dinner and drinks at Southbank Beer Garden.