Launch Pad program back in 2023

Central Coast Council’s popular Social Enterprise Launch Pad Program is back for an eleventh straight year with the community encouraged to register for an online information session to find out more about the exciting project.

The annual program supports the development of innovative new enterprise models within the region and helps to turn community focused business ideas into a reality.

An online information session will be held on Friday, February 10, where participants can learn more about the free program, and about a series of workshops running from February to May.

Council’s Director Community and Recreation Services

Melanie Smith said the program has an emphasis on encouraging ideas from those with a lived experience of a disability to become involved this year.

“The free program provides a step-by-step guide to research, plan, seek funding and establish a social enterprise that benefits our community –whether it be social, environmental or creative,” Smith said.

“This annual program has helped start-ups, entrepreneurs, not for profit organisations and new businesses with a social vision go on to successfully launch community focused ventures. It has created a sense of community which is so important for the Central Coast.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the continued growth of the program highlights its importance.

“There has been a major shift in recent years with businesses and individuals wanting to use their skills and talents to help others and service their evictions by requiring them to be given a lawful reason for terminating their lease; banning the practice of secret rent-bidding which pits tenants against each other in bidding war; implementing a Portable Bond Scheme to allow tenants to apply their current bond to their next lease; making it easier for renters to have pets in their homes; hosting a renters’ roundtable to hear from stakeholders and community groups; charging the Greater Cities Commission to rebalance population and housing growth by setting new housing targets on Metro lines to the city; introducing a mandatory requirement for 30 per cent of all homes built on surplus government land to be set aside for social, affordable and universal housing; and providing longer term funding certainty for homelessness and housing support organisations and tenancy advocacy services dealing with the fall-out from the housing crisis. community,” Hart said.

“The increasing number of participants and their diverse professional background is impressive, and I look forward to seeing what social enterprise ideas will come to the table for the benefit our region in 2023 and beyond.”

This year’s development program will be delivered in partnership between Council, The Business Centre and Community Compass.

For more information search “social enterprise” at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

To secure a spot for the online information session on February 10, email Gregory. Combes@centralcoast.nsw. gov.au.

Source: Media release, Jan 19 Central Coast Council