Halifax-based Common Good Solutions, a consulting firm that fosters the social enterprise movement, is behind an expansion that sees its Social Enterprise Institute (SEI) partnering with the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) to deliver online training across that country.

The group says it’s another step toward positioning Nova Scotia as a pivotal link in the global social enterprise movement.  A social enterprise is one that addresses a social or environmental good.

SEI and ACRE will work together at the practitioner and community level to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to launch and scale social enterprises. This partnership is one of many on the horizon for SEI, the group said in a statement.

“We saw a great fit and opportunity in ACRE with their rural focus,” said SEI COO Stephanie Pronk, in the statement.

“Rural is a huge priority for all of us as our small towns and villages search for solutions to dwindling long-standing industries and businesses.”

Caz Humby, the Operations Manager at ACRE said: “This is very exciting – we are really looking forward to working with SEI to open up global opportunities.”

Common Good Solutions offers a full range of social enterprise training, mentoring and consulting services, and devotes 60 per cent of its profits toward its mission of growing the social enterprise sector in Nova Scotia. The group is committed to paying its employees a living wage and retaining Nova Scotia’s youth.  Of its 20 employees, 15 are under the age of 29.