Annual Report 2024 Over 10 Years of Rural Rejuvenation
Acknowledgement ACRE would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the land on which we stand has never been ceded and we respectfully work with Indigenous people across the country to learn and grow together. We also acknowledge the deep and enduring care and connection to the land, waterways and culture for over 2000 generations and that this knowing and being is the very basis and origin of contemporary social enterprise principles and practices. We thank the traditional custodians for allowing us to work, live and share this sacred place. ACRE is proud to be a certified Social Enterprise – nationally through Social Traders and globally through Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF).
Message from the Chair It is with great pride that I reflect on the incredible progress ACRE has made over the past year. After more than a decade of unwavering commitment, we are now witnessing a significant shift in the awareness and understanding of social enterprise and entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for unlocking opportunity and social change. This shift underscores the vital contribution ACRE continues to make developing the social infrastructure across rural and remote Australia for communities to lead their own rejuvenation. In 2024, we achieved significant growth, taking our revenue to over $2.4 million. This growth not only reflects the increasing demand for our programs but also our ability to deliver meaningful impact across Australia. As we look ahead, we remain committed to scaling our operations to reach more communities and extend our influence nationally. A highlight of our efforts continues to be the Social Enterprise Schools program, which has now empowered over 70,000 young learners. This program continues to be a beacon of inspiration, equipping students with the entrepreneurial skills and confidence to create lasting change within their communities, experiencing the transformational opportunity to trade. Seeing the program thrive reinforces our belief that entrepreneurial education is a cornerstone of rural rejuvenation. Beyond our work in schools, ACRE has made a tangible impact in over 45 communities across Australia this year. Through a diverse range of learning and development programs, we have helped individuals and organisations build foundational knowledge of social enterprise, develop and accelerate new business ventures, and explore models for community asset ownership. These programs are instrumental in creating sustainable, locallydriven economic development opportunities that benefit rural Australians. Our progress would not be possible without the generosity and vision of our philanthropic partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to the AMP Foundation and the Paul Ramsay Foundation for their steadfast support over the longer term, enabling us to build capacity, innovate, and extend our reach to those who need it most. Likewise, we are profoundly grateful to the many individuals, organisations, community groups, schools, advisors, and consultants who have contributed to our journey. Your support fuels our mission and strengthens the impact we can achieve together. On behalf of the Board I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Matt Pfahlert the CEO of ACRE, and the entire ACRE team for their passion and drive in furthering the understanding of social enterprise and entrepreneurship in rural and remote communities, with the ultimate objective of creating thriving regional and rural communities. As we move forward, we do so with a solid foundation and a clear vision for the future. We are poised to expand our operations further, deepen our partnerships, and drive a truly national impact. The journey ahead is filled with opportunity, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that rural communities across Australia have the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we will continue to unlock the potential of social enterprise and build a thriving rural Australia. Sincerely, Lachlan Baird Chair - ACRE ANNUAL REPORT 2024 3
Message from the Chief Executive Officer Hi folks, what a year! It’s been cathartic to pause and reflect on the achievements across the organisation. We remain focused on our work to unlock the power of social enterprise and entrepreneurship to forge a thriving future for rural Australia. I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made towards delivery of our strategic priorities and continuing to deepen our impact. There are a few highlights in particular that I would like to call out: Manifesto for Rural Social Enterprise The Manifesto serves as both a policy roadmap and a global call to action for rural social enterprise. I’m proud of the stewarding role we have played in partnership with Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), from its origins in rural Australia with Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC) Local Leads to the SEWF Rural Gathering that ACRE hosted in Beechworth in 2022. In 2023 the Manifesto was presented at the World Forum in Amsterdam and has since been strengthened by voices from over 100 organisations and 37 countries, making it a truly global document. The Manifesto was expertly launched by Mary-Anne Scully at the SEWF Policy Forum. Community Asset Ownership There are currently over forty rural communities across Australia that are either actively progressing or interested in community asset ownership. Our experience advising and guiding a number of communities, together with our first-hand experience leading a consortium of local families and philanthropic investors to purchase the Old Beechworth Gaol in 2016, has proved invaluable for rural communities wanting to retain essential services. This year, we have delivered more Community Asset Ownership Workshops as interest continues to grow. For the Old Beechworth Gaol (OBG), the site is fast becoming an Action Learning Centre for Social Entrepreneurship – a sign of the potential of Community Asset Ownership projects, when the conditions are right. We’re excited to be working with partners on the potential of a national advisory service for this work. Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurs This year more young people took part in Social Enterprise Schools, than any other year. We also worked in more rural communities than any previous year. I want to highlight the pivotal role of educators who embrace entrepreneurial learning and welcome our Social Enterprise Schools team into their schools and communities. We continue to be the proud delivery partners of Social Enterprise Schools in Australia, part of the global Social Enterprise Academy Network, where its great to progress global learning exchanges with students around the globe including Malaysia, South Africa, UK and Egypt. Advocating for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia In September 2024 we launched a campaign calling for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia - in partnership with Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC) and endorsed by Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF). The campaign is a unified effort to ACRE 4
continue the Manifesto’s call for transformative change in rural. Through a dedicated network, we can give rural social entrepreneurs a stronger collective voice and unlock new resources and opportunities. Across the broader social enterprise sector, it’s exciting and rewarding to see Social Enterprise in Australia finally gaining the recognition it truly deserves. For those of us who have long advocated for and worked to elevate its profile, this moment has been a long time coming. I’m proud of the active role we’ve played in field building for more than a decade and I’m excited for the momentum we can continue to build through collaboration and unity. I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to our ACRE Board of Directors, including our interim Chair, Anne Gripper, and newly appointed Chair, Lachlan Baird, for their leadership, dedication and guidance. I would also like to thank the ACRE Executive Management Team and our organisational staff for their hard work, passion and dedication. I would like to recognise the invaluable contributions of fellow ACRE Co-Founder, Clayton Neil, who departed the organisation in October 2023. Clayton’s leadership was instrumental throughout ACRE’s first ten years and his deep knowledge and skills continue to benefit the sector in his role at Merriwa Industries, a local organisation to the north-east and one of the largest social enterprise disability employers in Victoria. I’d also like to express my sincere thanks to our funding partners that have believed in us, trusted us, and invested in our vision. Your support is instrumental in the work we do. Lastly, to the rural communities and organisations that have engaged our services, thank you for your support. Sincerely, Matt Pfahlert Co-Founder and CEO - ACRE Uncle Phil Murray and Matt Pfahlert with a young person at TYPO station, work on crafting a traditional spearhead. ANNUAL REPORT 2024 5
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Accelerating a new culture of rural entrepreneurship Developing current and emerging local leadership and talent Building enterprise capabilities in the next generation Capacity & capability building Mindset: Enterprise education awareness and early application Skills: Social entrepreneurship skills development in schools & with young adults Behaviour: Trading, self-employment and increased employability becomes part of school and community culture Capacity & capability developing Mindset: Learning and ‘impact skills’ Skills: Incubators & accelerators, coaches, spaces and appropriate finance Behaviour: Collective action, catalytic projects and buybacks including seizing fresh opportunities Capacity & capability accelerating Mindset: Community wide learning and commitment Skills: Ecosystem approach and commitment by local actors Behaviour: Cross sector strategy & action, monitoring and impact Generational transfer of wealth and leadership ACRE takes a whole of community approach to building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, working across three layers; the next generation, local leadership and the broader community, ensuring it has a lasting and deep impact. The Essential Pillars for Change Entrepreneurship to drive social change. Experiential learning, starting young and leveraging the world’s best social enterprise content. Building a community culture and ecosystem (not just programs) that are self-sustaining. Utilising community asset ownership to galvanise action. Cross-sector collaboration to drive place-based change. 1 2 3 4 5 The Five Essential Pillars for Change, developed from findings gathered in over 100 rural communities worldwide during a 2013 Churchill Fellowship, guide our work at ACRE. ACRE is a globally recognised social enterprise dedicated to unlocking the power of entrepreneurship and social enterprise to forge a thriving future for rural Australia. We take a systems and partnerships approach that builds the capacity of local people to drive community-led rejuvenation. As an Intermediary, ACRE provides capability-building learning and development programs, along with expert advice and support to individuals, enterprises, communities, and governments. Our focus is on fostering new cultures of social entrepreneurship, communityled revitalisation, and community asset ownership. About ACRE ACRE 6
Our People ACRE Board of Directors Lachlan Baird – Chair Anne Gripper – Board Director Brady Cronin – Board Director Jacyl Shaw – Board Director Tiffany Winters – Board Director Matt Pfahlert – Board Director Kerrie O’Brien – Board Director ACRE Organisation Matt Pfahlert – Co-Founder and CEO Mary-Anne Scully – Executive Director of Services Pete Ekstedt – Executive Director of Business Development Jamie Meyer – Executive Director of Marketing Vanessa Huxley – Executive Director of Finance & Operations Tom Colcott – Program Manager Next Generation Meg Allan – Advocacy and Market Development Lead Rebecca Iliffe – Project Coordinator Social Enterprise Schools Michelle Anderson – Impact Lead Michelle Leggat – People and Culture Advisor Sheree Mullen – Program Coordinator Sarah Bingle – Program Manager Samantha Menzies – Facilitator Lead Colin Bowey – Finance Coordinator Our Values BE THE CHANGE We embrace our entrepreneurial spirit and take risks to achieve meaningful change. CONNECTED TO PLACE We’re proudly rural, humbly learning from First Nations ways of caring for people and place. BOOTS ON We walk alongside communities in an authentic and grounded way. IT’S A LONG GAME We are unwavering in our pursuit of generational change, requiring tenacity and perseverance. RELATIONSHIPS MATTER We take care of our people and partners, our greatest assets. ACRE board members, staff and families at the 2024 Christmas get-together. ANNUAL REPORT 2024 7
ACRE 8 Our work would not be possible without the enduring support and collaboration of key partners. We extend our gratitude to our impact partners, supporters and clients, who have supported our work or engaged our services this year. Philanthropic Partners Global Social Enterprise Partners National Social Enterprise Partners Business & Government Our Partners
ACRE Products & Services As a social enterprise, ACRE trades to pursue its impact mission. By engaging ACRE services, you are investing in the rejuvenation of rural communities and supporting young people to access entrepreneurial education. ACRE offers the following products and services: ACRE INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS REJUVENATE Community-Led Accelerator Program REJUVENATE is Australia’s first accelerator for community-led initiatives – a new way of connecting, supporting, and guiding rural people who want to address a local problem or create an opportunity. Accelerator program delivered over six-months. BREAKOUT Accelerator Program Breakout Accelerator offers rural and regional innovators access to resources, infrastructure and networks to accelerate their exposure and entry into international markets. Accelerator program delivered over six-months. ACRE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Understanding Social Enterprise Workshop Develop your knowledge of Social Enterprise – understand fundamental principles, best practices and bring your learning to life with a local social enterprise field trip. Two-day experiential workshop, with local field trip. Social Enterprise Schools Program Social Enterprise Schools is a practical, student-led program that develops citizenship and enterprise capabilities. Taster at Cool.org, Self-Guided Online or Immersive programs. Facilitator Training Develop advanced skills in workshop, meeting and process facilitation – employ a proven, evidencebased methodology to engage participants and support action learning. 4 day residential program, plus supervised/supported co-facilitation experience. Community Asset Ownership Workshop Gain knowledge and insight around the benefits, challenges and considerations of Community Asset Ownership. Full day workshop – delivered in place. CONSULTING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT Community Asset Ownership consulting, coaching and mentoring Gain advice tailored to your community asset ownership project. Customised service based on community needs. Rural Social Enterprise Development Service Support rural social enterprises to grow their impact, and new rural impact organisations to become established. Customised combination of workshops, mentoring, coaching, project management, business modelling/planning and auspicing. ACRE’s Pete Ekstedt facilitating a session with the 2024 cohort of AMP Foundation SPARK Tomorrow Makers. ANNUAL REPORT 2024 9
22,000+ Young Learners In 2024, ACRE reached more students than any other year, with over 1,260 students participating in immersive learning with ACRE co-facilitation and 21,018 students reached through Cool.org digital resources.* 198 Teachers In 2024, 198 dedicated teachers enabled Social Enterprise Schools with their students, 85 of those through immersive learning with ACRE co-facilitation. 115 Schools In 2024, Social Enterprise Schools reached 115 schools, 40 of those through immersive learning with ACRE co-facilitation. 45+ Communities In 2024, ACRE worked in more communities than any other year, working alongside over 45 communities, prioritising rural and remote communities. 100+ Voices Advocating for a Rural Social Enterprise Network Within just twelve weeks, over 100 people have added their voice to our call for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia. 37 Countries Collaborate on Policy and Advocacy For the first time social enterprise work initiated in Australia, is shaping global policy. Stewarded by ACRE and Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), 37 countries and 100 organisations contributed to the global Manifesto for Rural Social Enterprise. ACRE Impact - 2024 ACRE 10
70,000+ Young Learners Since 2015, Social Enterprise Schools has reached over 70,000* Australian students, including almost 7,000 through immersive learning with ACRE co-facilitation. 800+ Teachers Since 2015, over 800 dedicated teachers have enabled Social Enterprise Schools with their students, including 324 teachers engaged in immersive learning and the remainder through Cool.org digital resources.* 500+ School Cohorts Over 500 Australian school cohorts have taken part in Social Enterprise Schools learning, either through immersive learning with ACRE co-facilitation (179 cohorts), or through Cool.org digital resources.* 3,230 Rural Leaders Trained Since 2012, over 3,230 adults have joined enterprise education and training opportunities led by ACRE. 400 Rural Enterprises Incubated Since 2012, ACRE has directly supported over 400 entrepreneurs and communityled initiatives through planning, development and/or implementation. *As calculated and provided by Cool.org ACRE Impact – Since 2012 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 11
Highlights REJUVENATE – Australia’s first community-led accelerator program Designed and facilitated by ACRE and made possible by Emergency Recovery Victoria, the inaugural REJUVENATE program supported eleven community-led initiatives from Victoria between September 2023 to May 2024. REJUVENATE provides a new way of connecting, supporting, and guiding rural people who want to build and sustain communityled initiatives that address a local problem or create an opportunity. The inaugural REJUVENATE cohort during the Accelerator Forum at the Old Beechworth Gaol. Strategic Doing capability to support community-led action Through 2023 and 2024, ACRE partnered with the Agile Strategy Lab (Alama, US) to bring world renowned training in Strategic Doing methodology to Australia. The training equipped the ACRE team and local leaders in a skillset to guide collaborative action planning to better support community initiatives or projects struggling to make traction. “The Strategic Doing workshop fast forwarded a lot of what we wanted to do with community, and the work towards creating a food network” Rebecca Crawley A community workshop uses Strategic Doing to imagine a Thriving Food Network. ACRE 12
ACRE Executive Director of Business Development, Pete Ekstedt, facilitating a workshop. The Wilderness Collective’s Tricia Hiley and Paris Brooke, with ACRE’s Tom Colcott with young entrepreneurs from Mallacoota P-12 College. Local rejuvenation through community owned assets From July 2023 – February 2024, East Gippsland Shire Council engaged ACRE to deliver a series of Community Asset Ownership workshops, coaching and 1 to 1 mentoring sessions. Participants were given the opportunity to explore different examples of community asset ownership, governance, income streams and enabling structures, before applying these experiences to mobilise and re-activate their community asset or enterprise. AMP Foundation backs Social Enterprise Schools to empower rural youth In February 2024, ACRE and the AMP Foundation announced their partnership to expand the Social Enterprise Schools program. Nicola Stokes, GM of AMP Foundation said “We’re proud to be partnering with ACRE to provide $2.5 million over five years so that many more schools can be involved, and many more children with creative ideas, energy and innovation can make a positive difference in the communities that they live and hopefully work in the future.” Wooragee Primary School teachers and students with AMP Foundation’s Lucy Watson and Nicola Stokes with ACRE’s Matt Pfahlert. Community-led rejuvenation partnership – The Wilderness Collective, Mallacoota Throughout 2023/24, ACRE continued to support Mallacoota community-led initiative, The Wilderness Collective. A highlight was securing multiyear funding for continued partner development and initiatives with The Wilderness Collective from Helen McPherson Smith Trust. Social Enterprise Schools also continued in Mallacoota P-12 College, part of the broader entrepreneurial education and development program. ANNUAL REPORT 2024 13
ACRE 14 Highlights Through April and May 2024, Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) commissioned ACRE to deliver a series of two-day Understanding Social Enterprise programs in Bundaberg, Townsville and Lismore. The immersive sessions explored social enterprise as a sustainable business model that blends people, planet and purpose for good, integrating knowledge of First Nations practices and existing social enterprises operating in the region. Participants in the two-day Townsville Understanding Social Enterprise workshop visit ABIS Community Co-Operative Society. A participant from the Townsville workshop shares their reflections. Meg Allan, Paris Brooke and Matt Pfahlert at Parliament House, ACT. Advocating to alleviate rural disadvantage – Parliament House, Canberra In April 2024, ACRE in partnership with The Wilderness Collective represented rural, regional and remote Australians at the SEGRA In-House session at Parliament House, Canberra. Matt Pfahlert, Meg Allan and Paris Brooke discussed social entrepreneurship as a key lever of change, helping to build economic, social and cultural wellbeing of rural communities and overcoming rural disadvantage. The importance of recognising and supporting community-led initiatives was also explored and their distinction to a place-based approach more broadly. Understanding Social Enterprise workshops in Queensland and Northern NSW
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 15 2024 Social Enterprise Schools program This year ACRE extended its reach and impact through Social Enterprise Schools, reaching over 22,000 young people through a combination of open access digital resources hosted by cool. org and delivery of immersive learning by ACRE facilitators to 1,260 young people. Our gratitude to National Program Partner, AMP Foundation, who are supporting our work to allow more young people to experience the power of social entrepreneurship education. Our thanks also to the NSW Department of Education Student Wellbeing Innovation Fund and the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, for supporting state-based cofacilitated programs to develop entrepreneurial mindsets, skills, and behaviours. Proudly delivered by ACRE and part of the global Social Enterprise Academy network, Social Enterprise Schools continues to empower students to address issues they care about through social enterprise. The social causes selected by students this year were diverse and impactful, ranging from mental health prevention and youth homelessness to cancer research, wildlife and environmental causes, health services, education, and supporting local community assets. Among the creative student-led social enterprise ideas were the establishment of a girls-only gym, a range of cooking spices, the production of toy car kits to paint or construct solar panels, and the development of an integrated supply chain for growing and selling local produce. A few of the highlights for the 2024 cohort of students: International exchange between Australian and Malaysian students, connecting more than 100 students online. Musterclass in Northern Rivers, NSW, bringing together 200 students across four schools, alongside local social entrepreneurs. Students proudly showcasing their creations at transformational trading days held at the Purpose Precinct Melbourne, Old Beechworth Gaol and the Mallacoota Community Markets. Movember continue to engage ACRE and Social Enterprise Academy as global learning and development provider for key program, Ahead of The Game ACRE and Social Enterprise Academy were the proud co-design and delivery partners of Movember’s Train the Trainer facilitation skills program. Ahead of the Game revolves around preventative mental health support. A multi-year engagement, the program enables participants from Movember’s key implementation partners to deliver Ahead of the Game – a global preventative mental health program that uses sport to teach athletes, parents and coaches how to talk about mental health. The program reviews how to recognise mental health issues, what to do and when to get help. Athletes learn how to build resilience and overcome challenges in sport and life. Busby Public School students. 2024 Market Day at the Old Beechworth Gaol. “Today was so amazing! Thanks so much for making this available to our kids - they are different people because of it.” Jess, Teacher – Wooragee Primary School “Social Enterprise Schools really rounds out how we can help our students think about the social and community side of their interest, projects and business.” Danielle Demetrios, Teacher - Liverpool Boys High School
ACRE 16 Community buyback of Old Beechworth Gaol leads to National Heritage Listing In August Beechworth’s Heritage Precinct was confirmed, including the Old Beechworth Gaol. It was almost a decade prior that Beechworth’s significant role in Australian history was acknowledged and safeguarded by a group of local residents and ACRE. ACRE led the $2.7 million community buyback across 19 local families and four philanthropic organisations, the largest rural town community buyback in the world at the time. Today, the Old Beechworth Gaol is being repurposed as a globally recognised cultural tourism destination and education centre for social entrepreneurship, creative industries and community-led rejuvenation. ACRE continues to guide rural communities on community asset ownership projects. Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto – from origins in rural Australia to the world stage From the Manifesto’s inception in rural Australia with SENVIC and delegates at the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in 2022, to its further development at the SEWF World Forum in Amsterdam in 2023. SEWF led global collaboration to further progress the Manifesto, gaining inputs from 100 organisations and 37 countries, making it a truly global representation. The Manifesto was expertly launched by ACRE’s Mary-Anne Scully at the SEWF Policy Forum. ACRE is proud of the stewarding role we have played alongside SEWF, in development of the Manifesto – the document serves as both a policy roadmap and a global call to action for rural social enterprise. The Manifesto highlights 11 ways in which policy makers can accelerate sustaining and enterprising communities. ACRE HQ at the Old Beechworth Gaol. Huda Jaffer and Mary-Anne Scully discuss the Manifesto for Rural Social Enterprise during the SEWF Policy World Forum. Highlights “The launch of the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto is an important step in policy advocacy for rural communities around the world.” Gerry Higgins Founder and Managing Director - Social Enterprise World Forum
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 17 ACRE and Centre for Just Places partner on impact measurement In November 2024, ACRE and Centre for Just Places announced a partnership to enhance collective efforts to alleviate disadvantage in rural communities. The collaboration will focus on the proactive interventions that shift communities out of disadvantage, leveraging and enhancing ACRE’s Thrive Framework as a key tool for understanding and measuring the impact of a place-based ecosystem for social entrepreneurship. ACRE calls for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network In September 2024, ACRE launched an advocacy campaign in partnership with Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC) and endorsed by Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), calling for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia. By calling for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network, we can give rural social enterprises and entrepreneurs a stronger collective voice and unlock new resources and opportunities. Already, over 100 people have added their voice to the campaign, with representation from every State and Territory. Add your voice at acre.org.au/ ruralsocialenterprisenetwork. ACRE team members with Llewela Forest, GM of Purpose Precinct Melbourne, planning a Social Enterprise Schools pop-up. SENVIC Board Director Alyson Skinner, joins ACRE’s Mary-Anne Scully and Matt Pfahlert at Social Impact in the Regions, calling for the co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network. ACRE’s Pete Ekstedt with John Ryks, Director - Centre for Just Places.
Key Milestones 2012 - 2024 OVER A DECADE OF 2012 ACRE established and co-founded by Matt Pfahlert & Clayton Neil. 2014 Signed global partner agreement with world leading education provider – Social Enterprise Academy Scotland. 2013 Matt Pfahlert awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study youth entrepreneurship education and rural communities. 2016 Led $2.7M community buy-back of the Old Beechworth Gaol. 2016 Developed the world’s first place-based Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Measurement Tool. 2018 Launched the first Social Enterprise Network for Victoria (SENVIC) including five regional networks. 2018 Social Enterprise Schools expands into 20 schools and reaches 3,000 students. 2018 Speaker and panellist at the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland. 2017 Social Enterprise Schools independent evaluation reveals exceptional results for building student engagement and enterprise capabilities. 2017 Awarded ‘first of its kind’ contract to deliver Understanding Social Enterprise programs across all 38 rural Councils in Victoria. 2015 Commenced 3-year pilot and independent evaluation of ‘Social Enterprise Schools’ with 11 schools and over 600 students and teachers. ACRE 18
RURAL REJUVENATION 2019 Launched Victoria’s first rural Incubator Support Program– ‘Breakout Accelerator’. 2019 Mapped Social Enterprise Schools to the Victorian Curriculum and the newly introduced ‘Critical and Creative thinking’ assessment task. 2019 Teacher toolkit developed for SES with global researchers, principals, teachers, students and the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA). 2021 Led the development of a National Social Enterprise Strategy which has morphed into Social Enterprise Australia, the newly formed peak body for social enterprise nationally. 2023 Mary-Anne Scully launches Australian Rural Manifesto on world stage in Amsterdam at SEWF World Forum. 2022 Social Enterprise Schools was awarded the 2022 Innovative Project Award by SPERA – Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia. 2022 First iteration of Manifesto for Rural Social Enterprise developed with SENVIC Local Leads & furthered at Rural Gathering. 2022 Hosted the Social Enterprise World Forum Rural Gathering across the North-East Victoria. 2023 Inaugural REJUVENATE program, accelerating rural community-led initiatives. 2024 Global launch of Manifesto for Rural Social Enterprise stewarded by ACRE and SEWF. 2024 Community-owned Old Beechworth Gaol added to National Heritage Register. 2024 Commenced advocacy campaign for co-design of a Rural Social Enterprise Network for Australia. 2020 National Finalist in the Australian Impact Investment Awards for pioneering work leading the Old Beechworth Gaol buy-back. ANNUAL REPORT 2024 19
Financials 2023/24 Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income For the Year Ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 ($) ($) Sales revenue 2,462,286 1,348,711 Other income 5,215 1,488 Employee benefits expense (1,490,314) (759,525) Consulting and professional fees (137,558) (248,763) Depreciation and amortisation expense (57,334) (66,846) Other expenses (748,202) (485,812) Surplus/(deficit) for the year 34,093 (210,747) Other comprehensive income Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss - - Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss when specific conditions are met - - Other comprehensive income/(loss) - - Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 34,093 (210,747) ACRE 20
Financials 2023/24 Statement of Financial Position As At 30 June 2024 2024 2023 ($) ($) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 224,406 1,195,634 Trade and other receivables 914,125 307,341 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,138,531 1,502,975 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Investments 50,000 50,000 Property, plant and equipment 901,475 907,622 Intangible assets 25,705 30,359 Right-of-Use - Buildings 15,433 46,297 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 992,613 1,034,278 TOTAL ASSETS 2,131,144 2,537,253 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 177,044 128,453 Other financial liabilities 1,337,533 1,839,837 Employee benefits 86,779 51,304 Lease liabilities 13,559 34,177 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,614,915 2,053,771 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Borrowings 143,000 143,000 Lease liabilities - 13,559 Employee benefits 12,213 - TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 155,213 156,559 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,770,128 2,210,330 NET ASSETS 361,016 326,923 MEMBERS’ FUNDS Members’ funds 361,016 326,923 TOTAL MEMBERS’ FUNDS 361,016 326,923 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 21
Financials 2023/24 Statement of Changes in Equity For the Year Ended 30 June 2024 2024 Members’ Funds Total ($) ($) Balance at 1 July 2023 326,923 326,923 Surplus for the year 34,093 34,093 Balance at 30 June 2024 361,016 361,016 2023 Members’ Funds Total ($) ($) Balance at 1 July 2022 537,670 537,670 Deficit for the year (210,747) (210,747) Balance at 30 June 2023 326,923 326,923 ACRE 22
Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 30 June 2024 2024 2023 ($) ($) CASH FLOWS USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Receipts from customers 1,369,714 2,687,749 Payments to suppliers and employees (2,294,925) (1,519,678) Interest received 5,215 1,488 Net cash used in operating activities (919,996) 1,169,559 CASH FLOWS IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (15,669) (9,052) Net cash used in investing activities (15,669) (9,052) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: (Repayment of)/proceeds from borrowings - (100,000) Payment of lease liabilities (net) (35,563) (49,320) Net cash provided by financing activities (35,563) (149,320) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents held (971,228) 1,011,187 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,195,634 184,447 Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 224,406 1,195,634 Financials 2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 23
acre.org.au Printed on 100% recycled paper Gerry Higgins Managing Director Social Enterprise World Forum (2020) The issues facing rural communities in an uncertain world are complex and as such our solutions require multipronged approaches. Wherever rejuvenation is occurring we see local communities activating their entrepreneurial spirit with a focus on equipping the next generation. With globally renowned partners ACRE has been building the ecosystem for this important work to scale across Australia.
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