Centre for Social Impact's Wave 2 Report
The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) has released the latest findings from its Social Economy Survey Wave 2 Report, providing one of the most comprehensive insights yet into the opportunities and challenges facing Australia’s social economy.
Now in its second year, the three-year national survey continues to build a clearer picture of how social purpose organisations are responding to increasing community needs, changing operating conditions and evolving expectations. Wave 2 attracted participation from 219 organisations, representing a 56% increase from the first year, with almost one-third of Wave 1 participants returning to contribute further insights.
The findings reveal a sector navigating significant pressures while continuing to deliver essential social impact. Funding remains the biggest challenge, with many organisations still heavily reliant on traditional funding sources despite recognising the need to diversify income streams.
Workforce challenges have also intensified. Recruiting and retaining staff and volunteers has become a leading priority, while building workforce capability has moved higher on the agenda as organisations seek to strengthen their capacity to respond to growing demand.
The report also highlights emerging concerns shaping the future of the social economy. Cybersecurity has become a growing priority, alongside concerns about increasing social polarisation and its impact on communities and organisations.
A further challenge is the growing expectation for organisations to demonstrate their impact. Nearly half of surveyed organisations reported that they do not have dedicated funding to measure outcomes effectively, creating a gap between expectations for evidence-based impact and the resources available to achieve it.
The Wave 2 findings provide important insights for governments, funders, social purpose organisations and ecosystem partners. The report calls for stronger support systems, more sustainable funding approaches and investment in the capability needed for the social economy to continue creating positive change across Australia.
