Across NSW, women-led social enterprises are creating powerful solutions to some of society’s toughest challenges – from domestic violence and trauma recovery, to youth unemployment and cultural sovereignty. Many of these enterprises are early-stage, focused on their local community and/or led by people with lived experience. They regularly experience deep and persistent barriers to accessing mainstream support systems and funding.
The NSW Government engaged Sefa to design and deliver a capability-building program focused on women-led, First Nations, and regionally based social enterprises that are contributing to better outcomes for women experiencing disadvantage. The goal: build strong foundations for growth, support organisational investment readiness, unlock impact – and help shift structural barriers facing women entrepreneurs.
The EmpowerHER Program
Sefa designed and delivered the EmpowerHer program across two streams:
Early-stage capability building program: A six-month cohort-based program for 15 early-stage enterprises in the Northern Rivers and Riverina regions
Established capability building program: Tailored 1:1 support for 10 established enterprises focused on strategic growth and investment readiness
The program was designed with flexibility at its core – meeting each enterprise where they’re at, while ensuring all participants had access to practical tools, coaching and peer support.
We focused on what matters most for founders: business clarity, confidence, community and connection.
“The program gave me the language of the social enterprise field that has significantly enhanced my capacity to advocate effectively – to customers, donors, funding providers, media and politicians.” – Early-stage participant
Early-stage support grounded in place
Wagga Wagga intensive face-to-face workshop
We established two regional hubs (Northern Rivers and Riverina), where 15 early-stage enterprises received:
Three months of support through blended learning, including:
online modules covering business model design, impact frameworks, financial foundations, and legal structures
peer learning and reflection sessions, guest speakers and case studies
intensive face-to-face workshops, delivered locally
One-on-one tailored coaching from Sefa staff and trusted delivery partners
The program was delivered in partnership with local changemakers – Byron Community College (Northern Rivers), Riverina Community College (Riverina), and Yarpa Hub (First Nations coaching and cultural safety).
Participants included:
D’Vine Creations: producing biodegradable woven coffins from invasive vines
Haus of Armour: using upcycled fashion to support survivors of domestic violence
Big Picture Health: promoting wellbeing and leadership through sport and mentoring
Bush Food Education: delivering Aboriginal-led health and culture programs through native foods
Whole Picture Permaculture: building sustainable housing and enterprises for veterans and single mothers
Embrace Care Solutions: offering culturally safe mental health care for CALD women with disabilities
Fig Tree Farm Collective: Provides safe, stable and dignified housing to vulnerable women, creating pathways to independence and community connection.
Sisters Are Doing It For Ourselves: reducing isolation of women and empowering them through outdoor wellbeing programs
Mend and Make Do Crew: builds inclusion, dignity and resilience by creatively repurposing goods and redistributing resources to those most in need.
Muddy Duck Tapas & Events: providing a vibrant community space that supports local employment, economic activity, and social connection, particularly for women facing disadvantage.
Mojo Theatre Productions: enriching the lives of students with disabilities by making creativity and culture accessible to all through immersive, multi-sensory experiences enhancing cognitive, social, and communication skills.
Kerri Weymouth Art Gallery and Studio: uses artistic expression and therapy to support mental health, social inclusion, and community engagement, particularly for women, elderly, First Nations people, and individuals with disabilities.
Boas Language Academy: bringing language education to the NSW regional area around Albury, providing accessible language courses for all ages and supporting migrant women as teachers.
Taster Property: creating a space of belonging where young people and the wider community can build skills, confidence, and social connections through intergenerational programs and shared resources.
Most founders were sole operators juggling caregiving, trauma recovery, or limited access to funding. EmpowerHer helped them develop practical business models, clarify their purpose, test revenue options, and establish structures that support growth.
Established enterprises: stabilising and strengthening
In the second part of this program, 10 established organisations received up to six months of bespoke advisory support, tailored to:
Strategic business planning and revenue diversification
Governance and board development
Investment readiness, including financial modelling
Impact strategy and organisational resilience
This one-on-one support enabled busy leaders to step back, reflect and plan for the future – with Sefa acting as a trusted sounding board.
This included:
ShoreTrack: Gathered employer feedback on their service offering, improving organisational structure and job descriptions, and designing a pilot program for youth work placements and traineeships.
Afghan Women on the Move: Developed an impact framework, strengthen governance and finance, and communicate impact more effectively.
Consent Labs: Defined parent and carer segments, tested product ideas, and assessed revenue opportunities to inform new service development.
Habitat Women: Delivered a value-for-money analysis, refined the social enterprise model, and advised on Social Traders Certification.
Kyogle Together: Developed a Theory of Change, mapped data for efficiency, and explored sustainable operating model options.
Media Diversity Australia: Strengthened revenue sustainability by improving membership services, diversifying income, and engaging the board.
Stitches Collection: Built a Theory of Change and impact framework, developed a growth-focused business plan, and explored funding pathways.
Wagga Women’s Health Centre: Developed a Theory of Change, explored revenue diversification, and supported HR and governance functions.
Women and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC): Conducted a market scan, strengthened governance processes, and assessed social ROI.
What Were You Wearing: Provided board establishment advice, designed a mentor strategy, and explored funding options to support growth.
“The clarity they [Sefa] provided – being able to clearly present all the information stored in our brains but never have time to write down.” - Established participant
The results
Stronger enterprises
Every enterprise in the program reported that Sefa’s support helped them grow or stabilise. Founders were better equipped to make strategic decisions, pursue funding and lead with purpose. Early-stage participants built viable business models and impact frameworks from scratch. Established organisations developed new strategies, revenue streams and governance systems to support long-term sustainability.
“Without EmpowerHer, my social enterprise wouldn’t exist yet!” - Early-stage participant
Deep social impact
EmpowerHer supported enterprises working at the intersection of gender, culture, geography and disadvantage, many of which were founded by women with lived experience.
Themes included:
Domestic and family violence services and prevention
Mental health and trauma recovery
Cultural preservation and First Nations knowledge
Employment pathways for women, youth and CALD communities
Inclusive education and sustainability
Designing for and with women had tangible results. By embedding a gender lens across every element from program structure to facilitation style, EmpowerHer built environments where women felt heard, valued, and equipped to lead. The program demonstrated that gender-aware design is not an add-on, but central to achieving lasting impact.
Innovation and visibility
Participants used EmpowerHer to test new models, sharpen their offerings and gain exposure to wider networks. Highlights included:
D’Vine Creations: Biodegradable coffins woven from invasive vines – addressing environmental and cultural needs
Haus of Armour: Upcycled fashion and styling for domestic violence survivors – restoring dignity and reducing textile waste
Stitches Collection: CALD-focused children’s mental health tools – including therapy dolls and storybooks
Whole Picture Permaculture: Eco-housing and enterprise models for single mothers and veterans
Voices of Change: Driving Impact Event
Voices of Change: Driving Impact
Sefa’s Voices of Change: Driving Impact event was a highlight of the program, giving EmpowerHer participants a high-profile platform to tell their stories, connect with funders, and build strategic relationships. In collaboration with the Judith Neilson Foundation and Future Generation Women, the event featured a dynamic panel of women entrepreneurs who discussed the challenges and successes of running purpose-driven businesses. This panel served as a catalyst for thought-provoking conversations around funding and investment in the sector, sparking new funding discussions that are expected to shape future opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Australia. By bringing together thought leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs, the event not only celebrated the achievements of EmpowerHer participants but also laid the groundwork for continued sector growth and cross-collaboration.
“Knowing that professional help was available whenever I needed it made me feel supported throughout the journey.” - Early-stage CBP participant
What worked well
Tailored delivery: Two distinct streams for early and established enterprises allowed support to be targeted and relevant
Place-based partnerships: Community colleges and Yarpa Hub brought cultural safety, trust and local knowledge
One-on-one coaching: Trusted relationships enabled meaningful, context-specific support
Cohort model: Peer reflections and networking built lasting community and shared learning
Gender lens: Every stage of the program applied an intentional gender equity approach, from design to delivery
“The program really gave a much needed boost of confidence and professionalism to our staff, to know that the work we were doing was valuable.” - Established CBP participant
Lessons learnt
Access to capital remains a gap: Many enterprises were investment-ready, but lacked aligned funders or capital pathways
Solo founders need more support: Leadership burden and lack of backup limited some enterprises’ ability to absorb and implement learnings
Alumni support is in demand: Participants requested follow-on mentoring, advisory and funding support to maintain momentum
Looking ahead:
EmpowerHer proved what’s possible when we invest in women with vision, courage and local insight. These leaders aren’t just building enterprises, they’re building communities.
At Sefa, we believe that capability support must go hand-in-hand with access to capital, trusted relationships, and a deep understanding of place. And we know that designing for and with women leads to stronger, more sustainable impact.
We’re calling on funders, policymakers, and ecosystem partners to join us. Let’s back women-led social enterprises with the capital, care and community they need to thrive, and grow the ecosystem to support them.
If you want to strengthen the next wave of women social entrepreneurs in Australia, we’re ready to work with you.
“Being included in the program gave me confidence that what I am trying to build is a valued and credible operational structure.” — Early-stage CBP participant
Join Us in Empowering Change
We’re calling on partners to help fund future EmpowerHer cohorts. Your support can unlock potential, spark innovation, and create lasting pathways for women to lead impactful change.
Together, we can challenge the status quo and build an ecosystem that champions growth, equality, and opportunity.
Contact us below:
