ACRE - Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship

13/10/2026

🚀 Young changemakers prepare to trade!

Far more than a market, Social Enterprise Schools Market Day is a celebration of youth entrepreneurship, social purpose and community spirit.

The day marks the culmination of a transformative 10-step learning journey, as students turn their ideas into action and launch their very own social enterprises.

And this year is particularly special as we celebrate 10 years of Social Enterprise Schools in Australia - a decade of young people creating opportunities and driving positive change in their communities.

If you're in the area, we'd love to see you!

📅 Wednesday 21 October
🕥 10:30am–12:00pm
📍 Old Beechworth Gaol

Come and support more than 200 young entrepreneurs from seven schools as they put their enterprise skills into practice, trade with the community and raise funds for causes that matter to them.

100% of profits go towards the students' chosen social causes.

Proudly supported by our National Program Partners, AMP Foundation and Brian M Davis Foundation.

02/10/2026

Thinking about becoming an ACRE Delivery Partner in Victoria?

We’ve had some great questions come through since opening our Delivery Partner EOI.

In this short video, Matt Perfect chats with ACRE’s Pete Ekstedt to answer three of the most common:

✅ Can we collaborate without leading delivery?
✅ How does the Day 2 social enterprise field trip work?
✅ What does the partnership look like beyond Year 1?

If you’re considering applying, this is a good place to start.

📅 EOIs close Monday 12 October
👉 Find out more and apply: https://acre.org.au/get-involved/delivery-partners/

https://youtu.be/u79KU9TLSyE

Thinking about becoming an ACRE Delivery Partner in Victoria? We’...

23/09/2026

Partner with ACRE to grow social enterprise knowledge and practice in your region.

📣EOI now open. Visit acre.org.au/deliverypartners to find out more.

We’re seeking regional delivery partners in Victoria - Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians and Loddon Mallee for our flagship Understanding Social Enterprise program.

The program is deliberately grounded in place. It brings together people from across sectors, connects learning with local social enterprises, and works with challenges and opportunities participants recognise in their own communities.

Selected organisations will be trained and supported by ACRE to become accredited delivery partners — creating capability that stays within the region, with year one fully funded by the Victorian Government (DJSIR).

Could that be your organisation?

👉Find out more: acre.org.au/deliverypartners

🗓️EOI close 5:00pm (AEST), Monday 12 October 2026.

📩Contact Perfect at [email protected] for a confidential conversation.



East Gippsland Winter Festival Gippsland Social Enterprise Collective

02/09/2026

✨️ACRE is seeking four regional delivery partners for our flagship Understanding Social Enterprise program, with year one fully funded by the Victorian Government (DJSIR).

Developed by the global Social Enterprise Academy and delivered more than 50 times across rural and regional Australia by ACRE, the program builds practical social enterprise capability through learning grounded in local communities.

ACRE delivers the program across Hume and is now seeking regional delivery partners for Barwon South West, Gippsland, Grampians and Loddon Mallee.

Selected partners will receive fully funded facilitator training at the Old Beechworth Gaol, two co-delivered workshops toward accreditation, and year-one licensing and quality assurance costs covered.

If your organisation is already engaged in social enterprise, or delivers learning and development and is looking to expand its offer, we’d love to hear from you.

➡️ Find out more: acre.org.au/deliverypartners

📧 Contact Matt Perfect at [email protected] for a confidential conversation.

26/08/2026

Congratulations to the Amplify Alliance Australia team on a brilliant National NFP Summit 2026.

It was a privilege for ACRE to deliver Social Enterprise Fundamentals in collaboration with Amplify Alliance. A workshop specifically designed to equip NFP leaders, boards and teams with practical knowledge and tools to start or accelerate their social enterprise journey.

ACRE CEO and Co-founder Matt Pfahlert and Facilitator Lead Samantha Menzies delivered the fringe workshop to a full room of inspiring leaders exploring how social enterprise can generate income, strengthen sustainability and sustain impact.

Alongside an incredible line-up of keynote speakers and conversations across the Summit, we left Canberra energised by the people, ideas and momentum across the NFP sector.

Thank you to everyone who joined the session, Amplify Alliance for having us, and Wendy Bezzina for providing a powerful, action-oriented bookend to the Summit.

We look forward to continuing to support the network through social enterprise learning and development.

20/08/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, to the Old Beechworth Gaol.

Together with Indigo Power and Indigo Shire Council, we discussed some of the challenges facing rural and regional communities, the growing movement of communities seeking to own and sustain the assets that matter to them, and the role of social enterprise in creating locally led solutions.

We also shared the story of the Old Beechworth Gaol - from community buyback to its evolution as a thriving, locally owned social enterprise and the careful stewardship of one of Beechworth’s most significant historic places.

A fitting place to explore what becomes possible when communities have greater ownership and agency over their future.

We thank the Governor for her deep interest and for taking the time to visit while in the region.

Governor of Victoria Old Beechworth Gaol Indigo Power Indigo Shire Council

20/08/2026

📢 EOI's Closing this Sunday 23 August - Regional Business Growth Program - don't miss the chance to apply!

⭐️ FREE to participants
⭐️ 10 week program - 2 hrs per week (online)
⭐️ Pitch your strategy for a share of the $10,000 prize pool

Strengthen the foundations of your business and plan confidently for the future! 🌿

Unsure if you are eligible? Please reach out!

Applications close Sunday, 23 August 2026

Apply here
https://bit.ly/3Tkvrt5

RMIT Activator
Geelong Chamber of Commerce
Geelong Support Local Small Business and people
Creative Geelong

14/08/2026

Applications are closing soon for the next GPG x RMIT Business Activator - EOI Close Sunday August 23rd 💫

Connect with expert advisors, grow your network and pitch your idea for a chance to win a share of the $10,000 cash grant pool!

If you live, operate a business, service customers or supply businesses in Corangamite Shire or Golden Plains Shire, this program is FREE for participants.

Over the 10 week program, you'll gain:
✨ Clearer business decision making
✨ Stronger business foundations and strategic direction
✨ More effective brand positioning and communication
✨ Greater confidence to identify and pursue growth opportunities

📅 Applications close Sunday 23 August 2026

Apply here 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/3Tkvrt5