Jawun: 2017 Learnings and Insights

Jawun builds capacity of

organisations by providing direct

business and strategic advice

Jawun leverages the capabilities of corporate and

government partners to directly support Indigenous-

led enterprises.

These enterprises create vital economic and

employmen

t 24

opportunities, and often deliver a

broader set of gains. These span cultural, social and

even environmental gains for Indigenous individuals

and communities.

Many of Jawun’s Indigenous partner organisations

are prioritising enterprise, as part of a broader

context where the momentum of Indigenous

entrepreneurship is growing

. 25

Jawun’s role has been described as the provision

of ‘accelerator and incubator’ environments, critical

for advancing or proofing ideas, yet often out of

reach for Indigenous entrepreneurs

. 26

Secondees

bring ‘fresh eyes’, analytical skills and a structured

approach to solving complex problems, designing

solutions and communicating with multiple

stakeholders and audiences.

This injection of professional capacity is particularly

powerful given the complexity of the problems

Indigenous organisations are grappling with, and the

difficulty of attracting and retaining skilled staff in

remote locations. It also responds to a recognised

‘enterprise gap’, which poses a significant hindrance

to Indigenous empowerment:

In order to play fairly and equally in the future of

enterprise, Indigenous Australia needs to have

the same skills, capabilities, and access to capital

as other Australian entrepreneurs. Without this,

Indigenous Australians will not be able to access

the commercial opportunities presented by new

technologies, business models, and a digitally

connected world

. 27

The vignettes and case study in this section

demonstrate Indigenous-led enterprises driven by

Jawun’s partner organisations, and supported by

Jawun secondees.

Nelson Mandela said, ‘Money doesn’t give you freedom, the

freedom to make it does’. And that’s what I’m trying to inspire

as best I can.

—WAYNE BERGMANN,

FOUNDING CEO, KRED ENTERPRISE CHARITABLE TRUST

40 JAWUN

2017 LEARNINGS AND INSIGHTS