EmpowerHER Program: Northern Rivers

Receive support to grow your impact

A NSW Government funded program delivered by Sefa

 

An opportunity to transform your purpose-led business into a thriving, impactful enterprise. For regional visionaries like you, growing a social enterprise may feel daunting (and expensive). But this fully funded program can give you the skills, networks, support to achieve sustainable impact. 

Overview

Sefa is partnering with the Byron Community College to support purpose-driven enterprises in the Northern Rivers grow their impact. If you are a social enterprise that is seeking to make a positive impact on women experiencing disadvantage, the EmpowerHer Program can help you build the resilience of your organisation and reach your impact goals sooner.  

Delivered over 4 months, the EmpowerHer Program will help you:- 

  • Understand how your enterprise generates social and financial value 

  • Crystalise and articulate the social impact you wish to create 

  • Equip you with the skills and tools to sustain your enterprise 

  • Collaborate with likeminded enterprises in the region 

If you’re in the early stages of your social enterprise journey, the EmpowerHer program can be the launchpad to your success.  

Places are limited to 12 enterprises operating in the Northern Rivers, and selection is merit based. Priority will be given to First Nations women-focused social enterprises and women led social enterprises.  

The Program

The Program will be delivered via a mixture of online and in person modules. The in-person modules will be delivered at the Byron Community College, Mullumbimby. The time commitment for each module is approximately 4 hours.  

Each enterprise will  be paired with a coach who you can meet once a fortnight to check in on your progress and apply learnings as they relate to your business. You will be supported with regular online, peer reflection sessions where you can share your journey in a community of likeminded organisations.  

More details on the learning modules are provided below:

Key Dates 

  • Application Deadline:

    • 24 March 2024 at 5pm. 

  • Exploration calls with shortlisted candidates:

    • 25 March 2024 to 12 April 2024.  

  • Decision Notification:

    • Application outcomes will be communicated by 12 April 2024.  

  • Program dates:

    • 14 May 2024 – 27 August 2024 

  • Key program delivery dates: 

    • Welcome to EmpowerHer: 14 May 2024 (2-hour online onboarding) 

    • In person workshop: 17 – 19 June 2024 

    • Showcase Graduation: 27 August 2024 (in-person) 

Applications for the Northern Rivers EmpowerHER program have now closed. Any enquiries, please contact us at empowerher@socialenterprisefinance.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We accept applications from solo founders as well as teams. However, the number of participants in the program is limited to 2 people per enterprise. 

  • Social enterprises are businesses that trade so they can tackle social problems. Social enterprises do the following three things:

    • Have a defined social purpose 

    • Derive a portion of income from trade; and 

    • Invest efforts and resources into their purpose.  

  • The Program is tailored to support women-focused social enterprises. However, social enterprises that support a broader cohort but have specific programs / activities that seek to have a positive impact on women, or have a cohort that is predominantly women, are encouraged to apply. If you're unsure whether your enterprise meets our eligibility criteria, please apply anyway as we will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. 

  • The Program is open to enterprises that have at minimum a business model and demonstrated initial traction in the market and are seeking to accelerate their development and path to impact. 

  • Participating enterprises will be provided with a course pack outlining the dates for the learning modules and events.  You'll schedule your fortnightly meeting with your coach at a time that suits you. 

  • We recognise that your number one priority is running your enterprise and that you may have other time constraints. You and your designated coach will work towards your goals in fortnightly sessions. You will together determine the best times for you to connect. We will also be hosting fortnightly on-line learning modules with a time commitment of 4 hours. There will be 2 key in person events (the multi-day workshops and Showcase Graduation), which aim to deepen your learning and connection with peers and partners. 

  • The Program is completely FREE, due to the generous support of the NSW Office of Social Impact Investment. Travel costs for the face-to-face sessions will need to be self-funded.