LikeWISE Launches at the Purpose Precinct
New Melbourne Initiative Set to Test How Investing in Social Enterprises Can Increase Employment Impact
“By bringing organisations together through the Purpose Precinct at QVM, we’re creating a practical demonstration of how place-based collaboration can generate stronger employment outcomes, stronger enterprises and stronger communities.”
– Rebecca Scott, OAM (Co-Founder, CEO, STREAT)
STREAT has officially launched LikeWISE, a six-year pilot designed to strengthen Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) through enterprise development support, collaborative ecosystem building, shared infrastructure and an innovative trading-linked funding model. The program is anchored at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market, one of Melbourne’s most visited destinations to test how place-based collaboration can create opportunities for social enterprises to trade, connect and grow in a high-profile commercial environment.
Across Australia, thousands of people face barriers to employment due to factors such as homelessness, substance addiction, disability, limited access to education and training. WISEs help address this challenge by providing real jobs, skills development and supportive pathways into long-term employment. However, many WISEs face ongoing pressure to balance their social mission with the commercial realities of running a sustainable business.
LikeWISE will explore whether investing in the business foundations of WISEs can lead to stronger employment outcomes for people facing barriers to work. Over six years, the pilot will build an ecosystem of up to nine WISE organisations, as lead by Social Enterprise leader, STREAT.
“For more than 15 years, STREAT has worked alongside over 400 social enterprises across Australia to share our learnings and strengthen their impact and sustainability. LikeWISE is the next evolution of that work. It’s about creating a connected ecosystem where social enterprises can share infrastructure, opportunities, learning and pathways to employment, enabling all of us to achieve more together than we ever could alone.”
— Rebecca Scott, OAM (Co-Founder, CEO)
The inaugural LikeWISE cohort brings together three organisations working with different communities and approaches:
- Purpose Precinct (co-founded by STREAT), creating employment pathways for young people facing barriers to work;
- Killara Foundation, supporting First Nations economic participation through enterprise and innovation; and
- WomenCAN Australia, supporting women’s financial independence through education and employment.
Together, they will help test whether collaboration, enterprise support and shared infrastructure can accelerate employment and impact outcomes across diverse communities.
In image, L to R: Llawela Forrest (GM of the Purpose Precinct),Troy Crellin (CEO of Killara Foundation) and Heather Saunders (CEO of WomenCAN Australia).
“Being part of the inaugural LikeWISE intake provides an incredible opportunity to learn, collaborate and grow alongside other purpose-driven enterprises. We see tremendous value in building stronger pathways for economic participation while contributing to a model that can benefit communities far beyond Melbourne.”
— Troy Crellin, CEO, Killara Foundation
The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Social Equity Institute will conduct research over the six-year period to assess the efficacy of the program and its suitability to create impact within an ecosystem of other WISEs.
“LikeWISE represents the kind of bold, collaborative thinking cities need. Over the coming six years this ecosystem of connected social enterprises will help create opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, support circular economy outcomes and generate new solutions to complex social challenges. We’re proud to see this work happening at Queen Victoria Market and within the City of Melbourne.”
— Councillor Andrew Rowse
Heather Saunders, CEO of participating WISE, WomenCAN Australia, said:
“LikeWISE brings together organisations that understand the power of meaningful employment to transform lives. We’re excited to contribute our experience and learn from others in an ecosystem focused on creating greater impact through collaboration.”
Organisations interested in joining future LikeWISE cohorts are encouraged to get in touch using this form to explore whether the program is the right fit.
LikeWISE is proudly supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and delivered by STREAT.