Aboriginal Business Development Network (Gippsland)
Economic development driven by our community is the key to self-determination, self-management and economic prosperity, owning our own businesses
and determining our futures will lead to healing
and healthy families and communities.
The Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy for Gippsland aspires to facilitate and progress the economic development aspirations of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community and to support established businesses to grow and flourish.
Whilst GLaWAC is the host organisation for this strategy, it has been developed with a full invitation for the whole of Community, its organisations and Aboriginal business to contribute during the consultation phase.
We recognise that not everyone would have contributed given the limitations during COVID19 and that is why we have developed a ‘living strategy’ that will grow and allow ongoing engagement with those wishing to contribute to the economic future of Aboriginal Gippsland.
The Strategy has been designed to assist and promote opportunities for the Aboriginal Community of all ages and throughout Gippsland to make a significant contribution to the economic development of the region, drawing on the vibrant cultural heritage and knowledge systems, encouraging the Community to establish connections, partnerships, and collaborate in developing shared enterprises.
The skills and knowledge of Aboriginal people living in Gippsland can add significant value to the economic growth of the region particularly through the growth of key industry sectors such as Caring for Country, cultural tourism, environmental management, food and hospitality, and arts and design.
Getting down to business
The purpose of the Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy for Gippsland is to facilitate and progress the economic development aspirations of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community and to support established businesses to grow and flourish.
A strong Aboriginal business sector is an important factor in empowering Aboriginal communities and contributes significantly to self-determination, wealth creation, and health and well-being.
Building on the Legacy
The purpose of the Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy for Gippsland is to facilitate and progress the economic development aspirations of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community and to support established businesses to grow and flourish.
A strong Aboriginal business sector is an important factor in empowering Aboriginal communities and contributes significantly to self-determination, wealth creation, and health and well-being.
We are witnessing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led economic development across Australia in many forms through the establishment and growth of not for profit and profit driven Aboriginal and Torres Strait organisations.
These organisations are creating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, building their skills, acting as role models and creating pathways, particularly for young people, to establish their own businesses.
As businesses grow and develop, they allow the next generation of entrepreneurs to step forward. Over time, this strengthens the economic position of Aboriginal communities.
The success of this strategy will require the transfer of power and resources to communities through robust pathways that support school leavers to understand and support their future economic security and builds leaders who can step into all sectors to promote the value of Aboriginal contribution to economic growth.
This in part will be achieved through local Community pathway initiatives but ultimately this transformation will occur through partnerships with mainstream services who are willing to commit to employment targets, succession planning and inclusive policies and strategies.
Strategy at a Glance
Values
The Strategy has been developed based on the strengths of the Community and what is required to ensure its success. The following values have been adopted based on input from many community members and other stakeholders and interest groups and are as follow:
+ Cultural knowledge and skills about caring for Country belong to and are the exclusive territory of Aboriginal people.
+ Connecting to Country is an important contributor to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and their ability to live prosperous lives.
+ The importance of providing inclusive and culturally safe spaces is needed for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to heal the divides of the past and work together to achieve individual and collective business goals.
+ Self-determination is a central component to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s ability to freely determining their political status and pursuing their economic, social and cultural development.
+ Sharing skills and knowledge between Aboriginal people, organisations and Traditional Owner groups and non-Aboriginal people is critical to ensuring the benefits of economic growth across Gippsland are shared equitably.
Getting on with Business
For the strategy to succeed, it must secure resources (funding and people) to achieve the goals of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community and economic
development activities included in the strategy.
A new and inclusive governance structure will be developed comprising of community members and business operators to oversee the rollout of the Strategy and will be supported by a dedicated Business Support Officer to implement the actions. The goals that will enable the action to be realised are:
+ Setting up the infrastructure and resources needed to implement the strategy, including a steering committee and Business Support Officer
+ Raise the awareness of the Gippsland Aboriginal Community about potential opportunities in business and entrepreneurship
+ Increase the knowledge and interest of young people exploring opportunities to business ownership and entrepreneurship
+ Build and promote Aboriginal businesses – private and Community enterprises to mainstream businesses and Community in Gippsland
Relationships and Connections
The need for long term investment and commitments from a wide range of stakeholders must be in place to support Community enterprise and businesses
to assist with the efforts to increase employment and economic development opportunities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Gippsland.
The goals that will enable the action to be realised are:
+ Improve the relationships between Aboriginal businesses and Community with non-Aboriginal businesses.
+ Build greater coordination of government, industry bodies, philanthropy, business and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation investment and initiatives in Aboriginal business/ economic development.
+ Improve understanding, knowledge and skills of non-Aboriginal businesses and organisations to work successfully with and support Aboriginal business
Business Support
A range of support programs will be developed to help overcome the barriers that stop people from starting a business, particularly during the idea and start-up phase as this is where culturally appropriate and professional advice is hard to access, and
community are reluctant to pursue mainstream business programs and other opportunities.
The Strategy has been designed to improve communication and engagement with existing and potential Aboriginal business owners, with the view to increase skills, knowledge, and confidence in decision making and risk management.
The goals that will enable the action to be realised are:
+ Provide a range of training and information sessions on business ownership for Community members exploring pathways and options for business ownership
+ Establish partnerships and collaborations with existing organisations and businesses who provide a range of supports to build business capability and success particularly in the Indigenous business sector
+ Provide and facilitate access to culturally appropriate and informed support such as business planning, mentoring and coaching, networking, and start up and capital funding relevant to all stages in the business life cycle to help businesses to build skills and grow.
+ Support ACCOs to build their community enterprise capability.
Business Innovation and Growth
New businesses have popped up with products specifically developed to address emerging demands from people, communities and businesses and were forced to conduct their operations online.
There will be many opportunities for Aboriginal people to explore new and innovative approaches to grow their hobbies and interests to conduct business in the online space.
It is expected this era of innovation will continue, because it can and will bring many opportunities for young people and particularly women who are likely to face barriers limiting their abilities to gain access to funds and/or dedicate the hours needed to operate a full-time physically based business.
The goals that will enable the action to be realised are:
+ Support businesses to expand markets using e-commerce and other technologically based platforms
+ Establish an Aboriginal Business Innovation Fund to support businesses start or scale up in areas identified as contributing to the economic growth of Gippsland
+ Support Aboriginal businesses and ACCOs to explore joint venture opportunities to create innovative businesses, Community enterprises and unique culturally based consumer experience
+ Invest in demonstration projects in caring for Country, cultural tourism, and creative arts
