The Bunya Fund Impact
The Bunya Fund was established by the BCCM to support the next generation of co-operatives and mutuals that demonstrate high economic, social, cultural and environmental impact potential.
This is the Impact Report for Round 2 of The Bunya Fund, supported by Australian Unity, Bank Australia and CBH Group. The foundational contributors committed a total of $137,500 per year for a period of three years. Grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 support education, training, advisory services, mentoring and infrastructure essential to start-ups, helping co-operatives and mutuals take on challenging economic, social, cultural and environmental problems in Australian communities and to thrive. For Round 3, APS Benefits Group joined as a funder alongside Australian Unity, Bank Australia and CBH Group.
This ground-breaking fund – the first of its kind in Australia – was launched by the BCCM in June 2022. The first round of funding applications opened in September 2022, followed by the second round in April 2023.
In the 2023–24 round, six recipients were selected covering diverse industries:
- Broomehill Village Co-op (town centre rejuvenation)
- Cohousing Australia (co-operative cohousing)
- Co-operation Housing (co-operative housing investment)
- ORICoop (organic and regenerative agriculture)
- SHACC (affordable housing for artists and creatives)
- SuppHorticulture (inclusive horticulture training and employment)
The Bunya Fund Impact Report 2023–24, prepared by Professor Emmanuel Josserand, outlines the impact of the fund, derived from two key factors. First, for the majority of co-operatives supported, the fund intervenes at an early stage, when resources are scarce. In doing so, it can accelerate the delivery of impact. Second, the fund has supported a strong proportion of projects that are replicable or scalable. Three projects are local initiatives with replication potential, one has a regional scope, and two have national coverage, with one having international implications.
The majority of the co-operatives supported by the fund are in their early stages, where resources are typically scarce – the fund’s intervention at this crucial juncture can accelerate the delivery of their impact, making a meaningful difference in their development and success.
Bunyan stories
Growing together: Ceilidh Meo on co-operatives, olives and the power of patient collaboration
Solidarity in action: Colin Long on a lifetime of co-operation, climate justice and the power of The Bunya Fund
Building a workplace for all: How Caboolture Workers Co-op is changing employment
Championing co-operative growth and sustainability
Revitalising rural life through GNP360: Cassandra Beeck’s inspiring journey
Rebel Black’s journey into community wealth building
Leigh Bowden: Champion of social justice and co-operatives
Tim Riley: Pioneering community-led property development in Australia
Gaining momentum through The Bunya Fund: Zane Alcorn's experience
Reinventing music streaming: The Pack Music Cooperative
