The Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) will deliver the 2026 Social Enterprise Summit & Festival in Sydney this November; a two‑day program designed to showcase the strength, diversity and economic contribution of social enterprise across the state.

Held across Friday 13 November (Summit) and Saturday 14 November (Festival), the event brings together government, corporates, investors, social enterprises and the general public to explore how purpose‑led business models are shaping the future of NSW’s visitor economy, regional development and community wellbeing.

The Social Enterprise Summit is a full‑day industry event featuring two streams and three “spice levels”, offering tailored content for government, corporates, procurement leaders, funders and social enterprise operators. Sessions focus on social procurement, circularity, community‑led enterprise, innovation, and the role of social enterprise in strengthening NSW’s economic resilience.

The Social Enterprise Festival (Saturday) is a free public event showcasing ethical makers, circular goods, social enterprise services, workshops and family‑friendly activities. The Festival provides an accessible entry point for visitors to discover NSW social enterprises and support local impact‑driven businesses.

Taking social enterprise statewide

Following the Summit and Festival, SECNA will deliver a Social Enterprise Roadshow across regional NSW - a series of free community events designed to spotlight local social enterprises, strengthen regional ecosystems and build connections between operators, councils, business chambers and community organisations.

Supported by MTC FutureReady, the Roadshow brings practical workshops, storytelling, and enterprise showcases to towns across the state, ensuring regional communities share in the momentum and visibility generated in Sydney.

Event summary

Social Enterprise Summit 2026

Date: Friday 13 November 2026
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Belinda Hutchinson Building, University of Sydney, Darlington NSW 2008
Format: Full‑day industry conference with two streams and three “spice levels”
Cost: $300+ GST + booking fee. Discounts apply for students, concessions, and social enterprises
Summit tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/social-enterprise-summit-2026

Social Enterprise Festival 2026

Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Belinda Hutchinson Building, University of Sydney, Darlington NSW 2008
Format: Free public event featuring market stalls, workshops, social enterprise showcases and family-friendly activities
Cost: Free. Registrations required
Festival tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/social-enterprise-festival-2026

Social Enterprise Roadshow 2026

Dates: 11 locations across NSW. 19 to 22 November 2026
Times: Typically half‑day or full‑day community events
Locations: Multiple regional NSW towns (to be announced; delivered in partnership with regional social enterprises, local councils, business chambers and community organisations)
Format: Free regional activations including workshops, storytelling sessions, enterprise showcases and ecosystem‑building activities
Supported by: MTC FutureReady

The 2026 program is supported by NSW Government through the Women in Social Enterprise Program, alongside the City of Sydney, Xero for Good, MTC FutureReady, The University of Sydney, Gateway Bank, The Peregrine Centre, Bambuddha Studios, Cercle, and presented by SECNA.