Sefa
Empowering regional innovation: Sefa’s data-driven approach
Challenge
Sefa planned to deliver an early-stage Capability Building Program (CBP) across two regional hubs in NSW, targeting up to 24 early-stage enterprises. However, they faced a significant challenge: limited data on the location and demand for women-focused social enterprises in regional NSW. Without this insight, selecting appropriate hubs and tailoring the program to local needs was difficult. To address this, Sefa sought to gather data on local context, economic drivers, and demand before launching the program.
Solution
To address the data gap, Sefa initiated a desktop review of eight potential regional locations across NSW. They engaged ImpactInstitute to examine key datasets, including demographics, business activity—particularly among women-led and First Nations women-led enterprises—and other regional indicators. This analysis aimed to inform hub selection based on evidence. To ensure accessibility, the findings were translated into user-friendly infographics, enabling stakeholders to quickly interpret and compare regional strengths and suitability for the Capability Building Program.
Outcome
The project culminated in a comprehensive report that was used as part of the decision-making process for the location of the regional hubs. The data analysis process was collaborative and insightful. The infographics supported informed decision-making and were useful to communities that were visited by the Sefa team. They presented complex information in a clear, engaging format that resonated with both internal stakeholders and new audiences. The work made a meaningful contribution to the for-purpose ecosystem.
Regional infographics
