Understorey
Understorey[1] is an Australian digital commons designed to enhance participation, learning, and connection within the social enterprise sector. Developed by Social Enterprise Australia (SEA)[2] as part of the Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI), Understorey provides curated educational resources, a sector guide, learning communities, and way-finding tools to help organisations and individuals navigate the ecosystem.
History
Understorey was launched on 30 June 2024, delivering its first version with curated educational resources and sector information. The platform was developed in response to sector-wide consultation that identified the lack of a single, reliable source for quality resources, definitions, and peer-to-peer connections in the Australian social enterprise landscape.
By December 2024, Understorey had attracted 6,700 active users, growing to 11,800 users by June 2026. User data showed strong engagement, with average session times of 14 minutes and 4.6 pages viewed per visit.
Subsequent iterations expanded the platform to include a searchable Sector Guide,[3] enhanced educational resources, and integration of learning communities. These developments were co-designed with sector representatives and informed by advisory structures, including the Learning Design Group (LDG), Advisory Circle, and First Nations Reference Group.
Structure and Governance
Understorey is coordinated by Social Enterprise Australia under the SEDI program, which is funded by the Australian Department of Social Services. The platform is designed as a sector-owned digital commons, meaning that its content and evolution are shaped by contributions from practitioners, intermediaries, funders, and community organisations. Three key advisory groups inform its direction:
- Learning Design Group (LDG): Educational specialists, including representation from neurodiverse, migrant, refugee, and regional communities, focusing on pedagogy and learning design
- Advisory Circle: A broader group of sector practitioners providing practical insights on sector needs and gaps
- First Nations Reference Group (FNRG): Established in 2025 to guide the integration of First Nations perspectives, ensuring cultural integrity and appropriate use of Indigenous knowledge
Features
1. Key Terms
Understorey hosts a glossary of key terms used in the social enterprise sector. The glossary, first published in June 2024, includes over 190 terms, updated bi-annually to reflect evolving usage. It incorporates sector consultation, advisory input, and First Nations contributions, with attribution under a Creative Commons licence.
2. Sector Guide
The Sector Guide maps actors across the Australian social enterprise ecosystem, categorised by role, area of activity, and geography. By late 2024, over 150 organisations had participated in the design and the inclusion of their organisation, providing users with searchable profiles and directories for sector navigation.
3. Educational Resources
Understorey curates resources across themes such as Starting and Running a Social Enterprise, Working in the Impact Economy, and Challenge Areas for the Sector. By the end of 2024, over 143 resources had been uploaded.
4. Learning Communities
The platform hosts learning communities commissioned through SEDI, structured around four types:
- Open Learning: Webinars and public forums for sector-wide learning.
- Peer Learning and Support: Informal, theme- or place-based communities.
- Deep Experience: Advanced communities tackling complex sector challenges.
- Innovation Collaboration: Experimental groups focused on systems change.
By 2025, more than 30 learning communities had been commissioned, covering themes such as Indigenous governance, circular economy enterprises, ethical storytelling, rural social enterprise development, and climate action.
5. Way-finder and Exchange
A way-finder tool was launched in February 2025 to help organisations "find and connect" with each other. It features opt-in organisation profiles searchable by keywords, roles, and geography.
Building on this, the exchange component (scheduled for release September 2025) combines learning communities with a support service (human and AI), to support peer learning, navigation, and knowledge exchange.
First Nations Learning Communities
Dedicated funding was allocated in 2025 to support First Nations-led learning communities under SEDI. These communities focus on priority themes identified by Indigenous leaders, including First Nations funding models, land activation, data sovereignty, employment and mentoring, climate action, and Indigenous governance. The approach reflects a commitment to self-determination, relational practice, and decolonising procurement methods, with convenors drawn from trusted First Nations organisations and practitioners.
Technology
Understorey is built with modern web technologies, including React, Next.js, Astro, and GraphQL, providing scalability, flexible integration, and reduced reliance on custom development. The architecture enables non-technical staff to update resources and organisation entries, ensuring sustainability without excessive ongoing costs.
Since launch, Understorey has been described as a "digital commons", a sector-led, living resource shaped by its users. Early adoption has been strong.
See also
References
- ↑ "Understorey". understorey.org.au. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Social Enterprise Australia". Social Enterprise Australia. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Sector guide | Understorey".
External links
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