Social Shifters is a new online space for impact
Following the launch of a new online platform for impact-focussed businesses, Kareena Harris takes a look at what Social Shifters is all about.
The next few months will be a time for social enterprises to be flexible and opportunity focused as we move into the recovery phase of the Covid-19 crisis.
You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the resources, articles and instructions for how best to tackle this time personally and for your business. We think our latest project can help with that.
For the past six months we’ve been working to bring a trial version of a new online platform to New Zealand, called Social Shifters, which aims to create an online space just for social enterprise. This will be the new home of the most relevant and up-to date resources for you.
Social Shifters was created by Canada’s Social Enterprise Institute. It supports online learning through downloadable tools and resources. We’ve tailored the platform even more, creating a New Zealand version, designed with the needs of our social entrepreneurs and impact focused businesses in mind.
We’ve brought across Social Shifters for two key reasons
Our research as part of The Impact Initiative, shows that we need better accessibility and awareness of tools, resources and support that are designed with social enterprise in mind.
A custom platform focused on New Zealand, means we can build up a vast array and diversity in resources that are useful for New Zealand and reflective of our culture. We recognise this will take time to build up, so we’re starting now.
This New Zealand version is a pilot – which means we’re testing it as a potential solution for creating a more connected, accessible and relevant way for social enterprises to grow their capability.
How does it work?
The platforms’ key purpose is to host tools and resources, including short videos, on the five key topics that are important for social enterprise.
Mission (Your purpose or why you’re in business)
Measure (impact management)
Manage (business management)
Markets (social procurement)
Money (finance and investment)
There’s also a new Covid-19 category
The blue Ākina tag indicates the tools and resources made by us, and at this stage all other content is provided by Social Shifters. Over the five month pilot, we’ll be sourcing the best content from our partners and social enterprise friends to grow the variety and diversity of resources on the platform.
Every time you sign in to Social Shifters, you’ll get a refreshed ‘recommended’ page with new stuff just for you.
There will be more features and new content coming out regularly, so keep checking back!
For more information on Social Shifters, and to sign up, head to: https://www.theimpactinitiative.org.nz/social-shifters