Budding entrepreneurs win bursaries to attend Social Enterprise World Forum

The John Villiers Trust (JVT) is delighted to announce the winners of the JVT-funded bursaries to attend the Social Enterprise World Forum being held in Brisbane in September.

With SEWF22 coming to Brisbane for the first time, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for budding social enterprise leaders from across Queensland to learn from their global peers and be inspired by the potential of sustainable economic initiatives.

JVT is funding these bursaries to develop leaders of social enterprises in rural, regional and remote Queensland and boost understanding about their potential to increase economic productivity, inclusion, capital, and wellbeing for both individuals and the community.

Our winners

• Isabella Mizzi currently based on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) is a young marketing and public relations professional with a passion for promoting gender equality and the fight against systemic racism. Isabella would like to create a social enterprise to tackle these issues and is excited about connecting with and learning from like minded entrepreneurs at SEWF.

• Sean O’Gorman is  works with Mayi Market, a not-for-profit Indigenous enterprise delivering quality, fresh food to remote Cape York communities at fair prices. Sean believes access to affordable, nutritious food is key to improving the health and wellbeing of communities. Living in remote Queensland, Sean is excited about the opportunity to connect in-person with a global network of social entrepreneurs and share ideas about solving wicked problems in remote communities.

• Paul Mead is the CEO of She Maps based in Cairns. The She Maps team are growing the diversity in how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) is perceived and who does it. They work closely with youth in regional areas to inspire a generation to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges with STEM.

• Andrew Lui works with Education Queensland and is looking to open a youth drop-in centre to empower and engage the youth of the remote town of Bamaga QLD.

JVT CEO Lea-Anne Bradley said social enterprises are an important way to counter the urban drift that saps the vitality of country communities.

“Social enterprise can build opportunities for locals by tapping into the unique strengths of a community, whether that is environmental, geographical, industrial or cultural,” Ms Bradley said.

“SEWF22 has a strong focus on social enterprises in rural areas and these bursaries will allow attendees to learn more about their potential to provide inclusive, flexible and local employment.

“Policy makers from all levels of government will be attending SEWF, so the bursaries also provide opportunities for the perspectives of young people from country Queensland to be represented in the forum discussions.”

As well as bursaries for young leaders from country Queensland sponsored by JVT, other bursaries are being funded by other supporters. These include bursaries for social entrepreneurs who are First Nations people; from low income or conflict-affected countries; or leading a social enterprise that is experiencing financial hardship.

Congratulations to Isabella, Sean, Paul and Andrew from everyone at JVT.