Support local changemakers this Thursday at Canberra’s Big Day Out

Posted on 18 November, 2025

Canberra is full of amazing social enterprises working to make the community – and the world – a better place. And this World Social Enterprises Day is your chance to celebrate the work they do.

Held annually on the third Thursday in November, World Social Enterprise Day is an internationally recognised day that draws attention to the positive social impacts that social enterprise businesses create in communities.

Social enterprises exist specifically to make the world a better place, putting people and the planet first – whether it’s through creating employment opportunities, fostering community engagement or empowering disadvantaged individuals.

And with a growing number of social enterprises in Canberra, the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) is celebrating them this World Social Enterprise Day with Canberra’s Big Day Out.

A free, self-directed tour that showcases the innovation, creativity, and impact of local social enterprises across the Capital, Canberra’s Big Day Out is held on Thursday 20 November and is all about supporting their work and showcasing what the Canberra community has to offer.

It kicks off at 8 am at Little Luxton – a local coffee shop that donates one dollar from every coffee to local community programs – then moving on to the Women’s Shed Canberra to learn how practical skill-building empowers individuals and strengthens community ties, before finishing at Café Stepping Stone where they’ll enjoy a Business for Good Afternoon Tea.

Cafe Stepping Stone.

For those keen to continue into the evening, She Shapes History will also be holding a Spies in the Capital walking tour, where attendees will walk in the footsteps of extraordinary women who were both spies and spied upon.

Hosted by Katie Puttock and Karen Hedley, the SECNA Women in Social Enterprise Champions for Canberra, it’s a unique chance to learn about the growing social enterprise movement.

“We encourage Canberrans to come along, experience social enterprises firsthand and commit to understanding more about the impact these enterprises are making, right here in our backyard,” says a SECNA spokesperson.

“When you purchase from or support a social enterprise, you’re contributing directly to local impact.”

With any purchases made on the day directly contributing to the ongoing community impact of the featured social enterprises, you know you’ll be supporting some amazing causes.

Make sure to register your spot here and – if you can’t make it on the day – follow @SECNA and visit their online service directory to find an enterprise near you.

Images supplied.