Addressing Indigenous issues is one of Australia’s most urgent leadership challenges, intersecting deeply with global efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Platforms that empower women economically enable them to support their families and communities, connect to markets, and access critical financial services. The Menzies Foundation, in collaboration with visionary partners, is working to create transformative systems that champion Indigenous women entrepreneurs and strengthen community resilience.

The Maganda (Tomorrow) Makers Business Club stands at the forefront of this work, empowering over 150 Kimberley Indigenous women to build wealth and self-determination through sustainable business practices. Through partnerships with Kimberley Jiyigas, Good Return, First Australians Capital, and Violet Co Legal Consulting, the initiative builds understanding of the unique ecosystems in which Indigenous women entrepreneurs operate in rural and remote Australia.

This research-driven approach is delivering crucial insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by these women, culminating in a systems eco-mapping process. This collaborative effort identifies synergies and pathways for growth, shaping an incubator for innovation and collaboration. The outcomes will inform a Forum agenda to guide future workshops, unlocking new opportunities and creating vehicles for Indigenous women to thrive as entrepreneurs.

Internationally, our partnership with Trust Waikato (New Zealand) and the Criterion Institute extends this work by exploring blended finance models to sustainably support Indigenous women’s enterprises. Released in 2023, the Maganda Makers Research Report provides a blueprint for advancing gender equality and promoting a circular economy through Indigenous entrepreneurship. Its recommendations focus on leveraging blended capital approaches that integrate traditional knowledge and economic innovation, empowering women to drive intergenerational wealth and community transformation.