Unveiling success: The Bunya Fund Showcase and Impact Report reveal transformational results

20 March 2024

The Bunya Fund, Australia’s first co-operative development fund, has today celebrated the success of the first two rounds of the program with a co-operative showcase and the release of the Bunya Impact Report. Generously hosted by Australian Unity in Melbourne, the event brought together funders, Bunya participants and community leaders to recognise the fund’s achievements and its transformative impact on communities across Australia.

“The Bunya Fund Showcase is a testament to the resilience and spirit of co-operation” said Melina Morrison, CEO BCCM. “Through strategic investment in scalable and replicability of projects, the fund is generating a wave of positive change, empowering communities to thrive and prosper.”

Central to the event was the release of The Bunya Fund Impact Report by UNSW’s Professor Emmanuel Josserand. The document outlines the fund’s impact to date, providing a report on how each co-op is making an impact in its community and contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“As we reflect on the journey thus far, The Bunya Fund Impact Report and associated stories highlight the power of co-operative ownership in driving meaningful change,” stated Antony McMullen, Bunya Fund Manager. “From empowering First Nations communities to supporting sustainable shared-ownership in housing, the report showcases the breadth and depth of the fund’s impact.”

The Bunya Fund, established by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM), has emerged as a pioneering force in the co-operative landscape. With a focus on fostering inclusive economic growth and empowering marginalised communities, the fund continues to pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future through co-operative enterprise. The foundational funders, Australian Unity, Bank Australia and CBH Group, have committed a total of $137,500 per year for a period of three years; over the first two rounds 16 projects have received packages of support ranging from $2,500 to $24,000 each.

One Bunya Fund recipient, Co-operation Housing, declared, “The Bunya Fund has been a game-changer for us.” Eugenie Stockman, Business Development Manager at Co-operation Housing, shared, “[The Bunya Fund] has allowed us to navigate the complexities of funding and legislative requirements, making projects like Kyloring not only possible but successful,” Eugenie states. The fund’s support underscores the potential of social investment to foster housing solutions that prioritise social, environmental and cultural outcomes.

Find out more about The Bunya Fund and how to contribute.

Browse some highlights from the event in our showcase photo gallery.