ACRE is this week co-hosting the 2022 Social Enterprise World Forum Rural Gathering (2-5 October).
The first ever Rural Gathering to be held in the Southern Hemisphere presents a landmark opportunity to accelerate change for rural communities in Australia and internationally.
Approximately 120 social enterprise founders, policy makers and impact investors drawn from rural and remote Australia, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and India will gather in North East Victoria to explore pioneering approaches to community-led rejuvenation being used in rural Australia and rural communities across the globe.
The Rural Gathering commenced with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony conducted by Uncle Allan Murray and Uncle Phil Murray at The Old Beechworth Gaol on Sunday 2 October.
The program continues this week with
- an immersive field trip (Monday 3 + Tuesday 4 October) across North East Victoria – a rural region that is a hot bed for social enterprise in Australia. Participants will meet founders of diverse and vibrant rural social enterprises based in Yackandandah, Corryong and Bright that are solving local issues and creating opportunities.
- a Social Enterprise Schools marketplace organised by primary and secondary students at Old Beechworth Gaol (Wednesday 5 October)
- a full day Rural Gathering Forum also at Old Beechworth Gaol (Wednesday 5 October) that will bring together experienced and effective social enterprise policymakers and practitioners, philanthropy and government to jointly develop a Rural Gathering Manifesto that will identify core principles for accelerating community-led rejuvenation in a rural setting. Read more about presenters and panel members here
The 2022 Social Enterprise World Forum Rural Gathering is supported by Bendigo Bank ,Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal)