Rural Social Enterprise Network

Building a global community at the speed of trust

Building a resilient and connected rural social enterprise ecosystem

The Rural Social Enterprise Network is a peer-led community that supports rural social enterprises and the people who power them. Created in response to the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto, it exists to address systemic challenges and opportunities in rural communities. The Network prioritises people and planet over profit, supporting the shift to a new economy. Its purpose is to strengthen rural social enterprise ecosystems, foster global connection and create space for shared learning, reflection and support. It works to embed the Manifesto’s principles in practice and policy. 

Activities include online meetings, working groups, exchanges and in-person gatherings like the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering. Members engage as they’re able, with flexibility and care for context. The Network is grounded in reciprocity, transparency, co-creation and inclusion. It honours Indigenous and local knowledge and encourages respectful, non-extractive sharing across different ways of knowing, being and doing.

Why a Rural Social Enterprise Network?

The Network exists to:

  • Strengthen the rural social enterprise ecosystem

  • Foster global connection and collaboration

  • Create a space for mutual learning, reflection and practical support

  • Embed the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto in policy and practice internationally

  • Accelerate cross-cultural and intergenerational knowledge and practice

  • Accelerating the journey of the next generation in social enterprise

Learn more about the challenges that rural communities face in the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto.

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Why a Rural Social Enterprise Network? Image

Our key objectives:

The Rural Social Enterprise Network operates under five key focus areas:

Knowledge commons and sharing

Support and solidarity

Working groups and advocacy

Learning exchanges and immersion

Community building to accelerate practice (The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering)

Get involved

The Network welcomes:

  • People exploring or curious about rural social enterprise
  • Community builders and organisers
  • Young people involved or interested in the social economy
  • Individuals starting a rural social enterprise
  • Rural social enterprises
  • Rural social enterprise networks and support agencies
  • Policymakers with a rural social enterprise remit
  • Researchers and academics with a rural social enterprise remit


Policymakers and researchers should respect the fact that this is primarily a peer network for rural social enterprises and most participants are not paid to attend.

 

Partners

Terms of reference

1. Overview
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The Rural Social Enterprise Network is a peer-led community that supports rural social enterprises and the people who power them. Created in response to the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto, it exists to address systemic challenges and opportunities in rural communities. The Network prioritises people and planet over profit, supporting the shift to a new economy. Its purpose is to strengthen rural social enterprise ecosystems, foster global connection and create space for shared learning, reflection and support. It works to embed the Manifesto’s principles in practice and policy. Activities include online meetings, working groups, exchanges and in-person gatherings like the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering. Members engage as they’re able, with flexibility and care for context. The Network is grounded in reciprocity, transparency, co-creation and inclusion. It honours Indigenous and local knowledge and encourages respectful, non-extractive sharing across different ways of knowing, being and doing.

2. Values
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The Network is grounded in the values of reciprocity, transparency, co-creation and inclusion. These values shape how we work, share knowledge and build community together. We recognise and honour the value of Indigenous and local knowledge systems. Members are encouraged to engage with humility, avoid extractive practices and approach all knowledge sharing in a spirit of respect and mutual learning. This includes recognising different ways of knowing, being and doing and making space for lived experience and place-based knowledge to sit alongside academic, policy or practitioner perspectives.

3. Membership
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3.1 Who can join
The Network welcomes:

  • People exploring or curious about rural social enterprise
  • Community builders and organisers
  • Young people involved or interested in the social economy
  • Individuals starting a rural social enterprise
  • Rural social enterprises
  • Rural social enterprise networks and support agencies
  • Policymakers with a rural social enterprise remit
  • Researchers and academics with a rural social enterprise remit

Policymakers and researchers should respect the fact that this is primarily a peer network for rural social enterprises and most participants are not paid to attend.

3.2 Membership model
To join the Network, participants are asked to provide some basic information, including their email address. We also request details about your social enterprise and/or your role in supporting rural social enterprise. This helps us plan, connect members and better understand shared learning needs, exchange opportunities and advocacy priorities.

Membership is flexible. Members contribute as they are able and are welcome to step back or rejoin at any time. There is no expectation of ongoing participation, only an open invitation to connect.

From time to time, we may also invite members to complete short surveys to support our policy, advocacy, learning and impact work.

4. Purpose and focus of the Network
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The Network exists to:

  • Strengthen the rural social enterprise ecosystem
  • Foster global connection and collaboration
  • Create a space for mutual learning, reflection and practical support
  • Embed the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto in policy and practice internationally
  • Accelerate cross-cultural and intergenerational knowledge and practice
  • Accelerating the journey of the next generation in social enterprise

It operates under five key focus areas:

  • Knowledge commons and sharing
  • Support and solidarity
  • Working groups and advocacy
  • Learning exchanges and immersion
  • Community building to accelerate practice (The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering)

3.1 Knowledge commons and sharing
A core purpose of the Network is to foster open, practical knowledge sharing across diverse contexts and cultures. This is grounded in our shared commitment to transparency, reciprocity, and mutual respect.

To support this, all materials shared within the Network should be freely accessible to members. Please avoid sharing links to paywalled resources or materials that require a paid subscription.

If a resource has any limitations on public use, these should be clearly stated. While we trust each other to share respectfully, we recognise that control beyond the Network cannot be guaranteed.

Members are encouraged to credit the original sources of any tools, models or knowledge they share or adapt. This helps foster a culture of visibility and recognition across the community.

Finally, if you wish to publish or widely share a case study or story from within the Network, please seek the consent of the person or organisation who shared it.

3.2 Support and solidarity
Many rural social enterprises face common challenges, even in vastly different contexts. The co-creation of the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto highlighted how connected these experiences are.

The Network provides space for reflection, mutual understanding and emotional support within an inclusive community. For leaders of rural social enterprise agencies, the Network offers a peer support forum where contexts are complementary rather than competitive.

3.3 Working groups and advocacy
Thematic working groups have been identified based on shared priorities. These provide structure for deeper collaboration and exchange.

Any organisation can initiate and lead activity within a group to advance collective efforts on a global scale.

Working groups are fluid. They may evolve, pause or conclude as needed. There is no expectation of permanence. Members are encouraged to reflect on their energy and impact and step back when the time is right.

3.4 Learning exchanges and immersion
Participating organisations may engage in mutual or one-way colleague exchanges. The format is flexible and shaped by those involved. These exchanges draw on established models from the social enterprise sector and can be adapted as needed.

3.5 Community building to accelerate practice (The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering)

An important part of community building within the Network is the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering. It is an in person event that brings together people involved in rural social enterprise from around the world. It provides a space to build relationships, share learning and explore common challenges and opportunities.

While the Gathering is open to anyone working in or supporting rural social enterprise, many Network members choose to attend. It usually takes place every two years, although the timing and format may vary.

5. Roles and responsibilities
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The Network is peer-led and intentionally flexible. However, members may volunteer to take on informal roles such as:

  • Facilitating a working group
  • Hosting a quarterly meeting
  • Coordinating learning exchanges or digital resources
  • Supporting a colleague exchange

These roles can rotate over time, depending on members’ interests and availability.

 6. Meetings and gatherings
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The Network meets quarterly online. Additional meetings are held as required for working groups and exchanges.

Some Network members may also gather in person at the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering, typically aligned with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF). These in-person meetings help to strengthen relationships and build momentum.

7. Governance and decision-making
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7.1 Stewardship
Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) serve as stewards of the Network. However, the Network is primarily governed by its members. 

7.2 Decision-making
Decisions are made by consensus. Ideas can be brought to ACRE or SEWF, who will include them on the agenda for an upcoming meeting or circulate them through other channels to seek input and agreement from the Network.

7.3 Proposing new initiatives

Members are encouraged to propose initiatives that align with the Network’s purpose. When doing so, members should consider:

  • Does it align with our values?
  • Does it invite participation across geographies?
  • Is it additive rather than duplicative?

7.4 Amending the Terms of Reference
To suggest changes, members may contact SEWF of ACRE, who will bring proposals to the Network for group discussion and agreement.

8. Funding and partnerships
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8.1 Shared ownership model
The Network is built on shared ownership and mutual exchange. Members contribute tools, knowledge and resources for collective benefit. Support structures may evolve in response to the changing needs of the Network.

8.2 External funding and partnerships
The Network welcomes external partnerships and funding that align with its principles of co-creation, equity and autonomy. Funders must not seek to direct the Network’s agenda.

9. Conflict resolution
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If conflicts arise, members are expected to address them collaboratively and in a spirit of mutual respect and shared accountability.

10. Review and evolution
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These Terms of Reference will be reviewed every two years, ideally at the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering, to ensure they reflect the needs and values of the Network.

While the Network is currently informal and flexible by design, its structure and function may evolve to meet future needs. Any changes will remain grounded in the Network’s values and shaped by its members.