The Big Issue is Australia’s longest standing and most significant social enterprise. It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that delivers solutions to help homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people to positively change their lives.
What is The Big Idea?
The Big Issue has launched a national competition between undergraduate students at participating universities – The Big Idea – inviting students to develop a concept and business plan for a social enterprise that might become the next ‘Big Issue’.
The Big Idea offers students unprecedented access to social entrepreneurs, Australian ‘Thought Leaders’ and experts across a variety of business sectors, whose guidance, advice and direction will ensure students are well placed to develop their ideas into business plans for viable social enterprise.
In 2012 the winning team was a group of students from the University of New South Wales! Their social enterprise involved setting up mobile bike storage facilities. This idea would see homeless and disadvantaged people work as bike attendants, assisting with the storage and maintenance of bicycles for inner-city commuters.
What’s Up for Grabs?
There are plenty of reasons to get involved! You will:
- meet some of Australia’s most influential business leaders
- have the opportunity to develop a life changing social initiative; and
- the winning team, (up to 5 members in total) will each receive
- An Apple iPad
- A professional immersion day at The Big Issue head office
- Other prizes TBC
Where to Next?
Students from Deakin University, Flinders University, La Trobe University, Murdoch University, Swinburne University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, University of New South Wales and the University of Western Sydney – stay posted! Access to resources and webinars will be available from July 1, 2013.
For Universities, visit the About page to find out more on this ground-breaking initiative and how your students can get involved.
For Media, please contact Eszter Vasenszky on (03) 9663 4533 or 0415 319 421, or complete the form in our Contact page.
