SIRU 2.0 Case: Green Connect

"Creating jobs that are good
for people and the planet"

Increase Employment by decreasing waste

Green Connect is a non-profit social enterprise founded in January 2011, with the aim of reducing two of the biggest problems in the Illawara region of New South Wales, Australia: employment and waste. Since launching, Green Connect has managed to create a platform that provides employment opportunities for refugees and young people in need, to reduce waste and grow fair food.

Key Facts

Company: Green Connect

Website: green-connect.com.au External link, opens in new window.

Country: Australia

Location: Wollongong, NSW

Case author: Guènola Nonet Opens in new window.

What they do:

Green Connect collaborates closely with the Wollongong community to achieve its two main goals: creating job opportunities and reducing food waste. The social enterprise offers job opportunities on its urban permaculture farm, which focuses on zero-waste services and fair-trade food production. Local community members can purchase a weekly box of fresh seasonal fruit, vegetables, and herbs delivered by young people and former refugees. Green Connect's business model is centered on waste reduction and fair food: food that is good for those who eat it, those who grow it, and the planet. Green Connect is a social innovation /enterprise and is key in assisting those who face barriers to employment, overcome them.

How do they do it:

Trainees start at the farm taking part in a 6 session / 6 week work placement where they interact with the farm, local community and country, as well as learning how to grow food in Australia. The training is hands on with the farmhands and the farm managers who, together with the trainees, asses if they have the strength and the ability continue with the placement.

They also spend time with the Zero Waste project learning about waste management. Trainees are briefed by the project managers. Then there is the opportunity to engage in further training or employment where they are offered a paid contract.

"We give people who are often excluded from the workforce, particularly former refugees and young people, employment experience and support. From new staff appointments, to long term projects and few hour jobs, we strive to place the right staff in your workplace."

Green Connect’s mission is to support their team whilst training and equipping them for mainstream employment/workforce.

Green Connect' methodology includes providing a lot of support as many of those involved face employment barriers and may have mental and physical traumas. The 14 Green Connect managers work very closely with their 85 (approx) employees and volunteers.

Potential next steps:

Australia continues to expect more refugees in the coming years. Regional placement of refugess is a common practice and new arrivals will likely be placed in a different region. Green connect will potentially expand in these regions.

The Process:

Notable Achievements

Most notable achievements over the course of 2021-2022:

In 2021, Green Connect reported that it provided jobs for more than 100 former refugees and young people, prevented around 150 tonnes of waste from ending up in landfills, and distributed around 35,100 kg of chemical-free food

• Green Connect employed 131 young people and former refugees
• Green Connect kept 160 tonnes of waste out of landfill
• Green Connect grew and distributed 55,000Kg of fair food