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The UWA Business School Centre for Social Impact (UWA CSI) and Bankwest Foundation have partnered to produce a long-term series of research projects that will transform the way that social impact is assessed in the WA community sector.

The five-year research program has been made possible by the partnership between the Bankwest Foundation and UWA CSI , with the aim of supporting the development and growth of the community sector in Western Australia.

Outcomes of the research program will be delivered through a series of launch events and panel discussions, known as the Social Impact Series , and in community and policy workshops. The research program focuses on the key themes of ‘Measuring outcomes in the Community Sector' and ‘Improving the financial resilience of Social Enterprises.'

The series was officially launched at a Bankwest Foundation breakfast attended by key public policy decision makers, social program funders, community sector organisations and business supporters.

The first report in the Social Impact Series provides an introduction to the outcomes measurement field and examines the international trends as well as exploring the evolving relationship between funders and community organisations to establish an outcomes measurement framework.

Director of UWA CSI, Professor Paul Flatau, said that programs of research such as this were essential to the longevity and success of the WA community sector and social enterprises in delivering programs.

"The WA community sector provides critical services on very limited funds and with the help of Bankwest Foundation, we want to give this sector a much needed helping hand in understanding exactly what programs and services are having the most impact, and why," Professor Flatau said.

‘Measuring Outcomes for Impact in the Community Sector in Western Australia' was launched on 5 March 2015. The report is authored by Paul Flatau, Kaylene Zaretzky, Sarah Adams, Alexander Horton and Jessica Smith.

A full copy of the report is available at:
www.bankwest.com.au/bankwestfoundation

Media references

Karen Della Torre (UWA Business School)                                 (+61 8) 6488 8538
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)                                               (+61 8) 6488 1346