The Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) is helping rural communities reimagine their futures through community-led entrepreneurship and ownership.
By nurturing entrepreneurial thinking, building local capability and creating pathways to community ownership, ACRE is supporting communities to build lasting social, economic and environmental prosperity.
Discover how ACRE is supporting community-led rejuvenation through entrepreneurship, social enterprise education and community ownership, empowering rural communities to own their assets and build sustainable, local wealth.
Putting Rural Communities in the Driver’s Seat
ACRE's fundamental mission is rooted in the belief that rural communities hold the key to their own prosperity. Instead of imposing external solutions, the organisation focuses on empowering local leaders and youth to solve local issues through entrepreneurial thinking.
As a Collaborating Partner of the Business for Good Network (BFGN), ACRE shares a vision of connecting rural and regional changemakers with the broader national ecosystem.
Geography should not determine whether innovators can access the relationships, knowledge and opportunities they need. Through this collaboration, ACRE helps ensure that rural and regional perspectives are not just included but are central to the "Business for Good" movement. Their approach acknowledges that genuine revitalisation requires a deep connection to place.
As Co-Founder and CEO Matt Pfahlert observes, this connection is critical to authenticity and purpose. By nurturing this local dedication, ACRE is strengthening local capability, ownership and self-determination, supporting rural communities to design and lead their own futures.
Raising the Next Generation of Rural Changemakers
A cornerstone of ACRE's strategy is the integration of social enterprise education into the rural learning landscape.
Through initiatives like Social Enterprise Schools, they are providing young people with the practical skills and mindset needed to navigate and shape the future economy.
This program has reached significant milestones, recently celebrating 10 years of impact and reaching more than 100,000 young learners.
Furthermore, the launch of Project Compass in early 2026, developed with Girl Guides Australia and supported by the Carla Zampatti Foundation, expands this reach to empower up to 11,500 Girl Guides with enterprise capabilities.
By focusing on youth, ACRE is building a pipeline of future leaders who view business as a tool for positive change.
Pfahlert has long championed the importance of moving beyond traditional funding models towards sustainable, entrepreneurial approaches that generate both economic and social value.
This philosophy underpins the program’s educational foundation, equipping the next generation to build enterprises that are both financially viable and driven by social purpose.
Turning Community Ownership into Lasting Wealth
Beyond education, ACRE is pioneering structural changes through community asset ownership. The establishment of Community Owned Australia in April 2026 marks a significant milestone in this pursuit.
This Australian-first support service and rural fund provides the essential guidance and access to appropriate capital rural communities need to own, operate and sustain the physical assets they rely on.
This initiative addresses a critical gap, creating opportunities for communities to take greater ownership of the assets that underpin their local economies.
The landmark community buy-back of the Old Beechworth Gaol serves as a powerful precedent for this model. By repurposing this heritage site into a hub for social enterprise and action learning, ACRE demonstrated the profound economic and social benefits of community-led asset management.
This focus on tangible infrastructure ensures that wealth generated within the community remains there, providing a stable foundation for long-term growth and resilience.
It is a practical application of systemic change, altering the fundamental economic structures of rural towns.
Connecting Rural Changemakers to a Global Movement
ACRE understands that rural communities cannot thrive in isolation. Their work is heavily focused on building strong, interconnected networks that amplify local efforts on a national and international stage.
The organisation played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Social Enterprise Network Victoria (SENVIC) and was instrumental in the global launch of The Rural Manifesto for Social Enterprise.
This manifesto, now endorsed by international bodies, highlights ACRE's influence in shaping policy and practice far beyond Australia's borders. By acting as a bridge, they connect isolated rural entrepreneurs with essential resources, mentorship and peer support.
This collaborative spirit is central to their partnership with BFGN, working to identify and welcome rural leaders at scale.
These networks provide the critical structure required to support sustainable growth, ensuring that local innovators have the backing of a robust, unified ecosystem. It is through these connections that individual efforts are transformed into a powerful collective movement.
Building a Future That Outlasts the Programs
Looking ahead, ACRE's legacy will be defined by the enduring capacity they are building in rural Australia. They are nurturing entrepreneurial thinking, that will serve communities for decades to come.
Their advocacy for female-led social enterprises and continuous engagement with global forums demonstrate a commitment to inclusive and forward-thinking economic development.
Authentic connection to place and a willingness to tackle systemic barriers are essential for genuine impact.
By treating community development as a strategic investment in human and physical capital, ACRE is proving that rural Australia can be a powerhouse of the new economy.
Their ongoing work ensures that the regions are not left behind in the transition towards purpose-driven business, but are instead leading the charge, armed with the skills, assets and networks necessary to thrive.
To learn more about ACRE and their initiatives, visit acre.org.au or follow their impact journey on LinkedIn at Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship.
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