Supporting marginalised women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to start their own business or learn more about the financial systems and structures in Australia has been at the core of the Enterprising Women program.

The project was funded by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund, and ran in partnership with Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre. Taking a community development approach to business education and financial literacy amongst CALD communities, the Enterprising Women project aimed to improve and cultivate women’s social and economic choices.

Women involved in Enterprising Women were those who may not have otherwise had opportunities to start small businesses or to participate economically in their communities. Their barriers were not a lack of ability, experience, or skill; rather marginalisation as a result of language, gender, ethnic or cultural background, income, education, immigration status, unemployment, or a combination of these factors.

The project involved two main areas: business education with no interest loans and financial literacy education.