Report of the workshops on Supporting livelihoods and small businesses: Identifying clever ways of creating and supporting better livelihoods for desert Australia

Report of the workshops on Supporting livelihoods and small businesses: Identifying clever ways of creating and supporting better livelihoods for desert Australia Report

DKCRC Research Report

• Author(s): Rola-Rubzen, MF, Newman, W, Burritt, RL, Mapunda, G, Norris, G, Vemuri, S
• Published: 2011
• Publisher: Ninti One Limited
• Volume: 73

Link to resource Report broken link

Abstract: DesertBiz™ researchers held a series of workshops on supporting livelihoods and small business in desert Australia. The key theme of the workshops was ‘Identifying clever ways of creating and supporting businesses and better livelihoods for desert Australia’. The aim of the workshops was to identify government programs and initiatives that work, understand why some programs worked well and others were less successful, and identify factors that are likely to make them work better. Researchers invited government agencies, industry bodies and organisations operating in the desert to participate in the workshops. The workshops were held by the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre’s project DesertBiz™. The aim of DesertBiz™ is to find out how small businesses and business networks can effectively deliver livelihoods for desert people. The workshops were held in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. The objectives were to: 1. find out about the initiatives by industry, government, companies, and organisations operating in desert regions in Australia that aim to enhance economic development and deliver livelihoods for desert residents 2. identify the challenges that inhibit effective businesses and livelihoods of desert residents 3. identify possible solutions to improve livelihoods for desert residents 4. foster networking among program providers and workshop participants. The key themes that emerged from initiatives profiled in the workshops included: • the diversity of initiatives by various government departments • the confusing processes and departments for customers • the philosophical conflict between economic and social developme nt • the key ingredients for success in establishing and operating micro- and small businesses • the opportunities that arise from skills shortages • the importance of programs that focus on cultural change and foster independence • the role of effective networking

• Urls: http://www.nintione.com.au/resource/NintiOneResearchReport_73_IdentifyingcleverwaysofcreatingandsupportingbetterlivelihoodsfordesertAustralia.pdf
• Publisher Location: Alice Springs
• Keywords: business, small and medium enterprise