Business Engagement
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London Borough of Hounslow, GB elevates small businesses with Advance for Growth competition
Advance for Growth seeks applications from locally registered businesses with less than 25 employees and £5 million in annual income. The winning business receives one year of free Digital Out-of-Home advertising across the borough. Outdoor advertising partner JCDecaux provides personalized audience insights, planning, and creative consultations. Additional benefits for the winner include one year of business mentoring from the council and a front-page feature in Let's Talk Business magazine.
London Borough of Hounslow, GB
United Kingdom
Yarra, VIC promotes zero-carbon commerce with the Business Renewables Buying Group
Victoria businesses using at least 500 mWh of electricity per year were recruited to the pilot group. A facilitator was selected to leverage the group's purchasing power for 100% renewable electricity contracts. Participating businesses benefitted from reputational boosts, reduced energy costs, and streamlined procurement processes. The Business Renewables Buying Group was led by Yarra in collaboration with Darebin, Melbourne, and Merri-bek councils.
Yarra, VIC
Australia
Darebin, VIC
Australia
+2Auckland Council, NZ Future Fit tool for carbon footprint reduction expands into business community
Auckland Council introduced Future Fit in 2019 as an online tool for residents to measure and reduce their environmental impacts. A recently introduced version encourages emission-reduction efforts among corporate teams and small businesses. Future Fit uses questionnaires and national data to calculate personal footprints at the outset of participation. Companies track real-time footprint changes as employees complete 30 activities in six categories.
Auckland Council, NZ
New Zealand
Onkaparinga, SA encourages inclusive tourism with Better Access is Better Business program
Council officials identified opportunities for more accessible experiences as local tourism recovers from COVID-19. A best practices guide co-designed with business owners offers suggestions on serving people of all abilities. Onkaparinga's Community Capacity team produced a 15-minute training video encouraging businesses to start small and remain adaptive to customer needs. Additional videos on council and business accessibility measures show the implementation of these recommendations.
Onkaparinga, SA
Australia
Mansfield District Council, GB emphasizes local vendors in procurement decisions with new portal
The council amended its procurement methods in 2019 to prioritize local vendors under certain spending limits. Businesses register their interests in future council contracts with the portal's intake form. Council decision-makers consult the portal for potential partners when posting contracts valued up to £50,000. A series of Meet the Buyer events and a proposed limit increase to £100,000 demonstrate Mansfield's commitment to local business growth.
Mansfield District Council, GB
United Kingdom
eThekwini, KZN produces Durban Business Confidence Index for understanding of economic conditions
eThekwini, the Durban Chamber of Commerce, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal surveyed city businesses in Q3 2022. This survey asked about daily operational concerns and confidence about the economy in the next quarter. Survey responses resulted in a score of 35.47 on a scale from 0 for lack of confidence to 100 for extreme confidence. Quarterly updates to the DBCI will inform economic policies and support programs from the project partners.
eThekwini, KZN
South Africa
Ballarat, VIC opens career opportunities to new immigrants with professional mentoring program pilot
City officials pursued the program because of ongoing talent shortages in key industries. Fifteen local businesses are matched with skilled immigrants for six-week mentoring sessions. Participants learn about Australian work culture, life in Ballarat, and opportunities for career growth from their mentors. Ballarat and HOST International help the families of mentored workers settle into the city in cases where mentoring relationships lead to accepted job offers.
Ballarat, VIC
Australia
Saskatoon, SK develops educational tools for business recycling ahead of new bylaw enforcement
Saskatoon approved a bylaw requiring businesses to separate recyclables from landfill waste starting in October 2023. City staff developed a 22-page Recycling Guide with best practices on waste contracts, storage, and employee training. A short video provides tips for business compliance with the bylaw. The Business Waste Wizard teaches users about the proper disposal of common items. These measures seek improved recovery of an estimated 20% of the business waste that can be recycled.
Saskatoon, SK
Canada
Edmonton, AB Permit and Licensing Improvement Initiative lowers construction and business barriers
Engagement sessions with city employees and businesses led to 400 suggestions for PLI projects. Edmonton focused its 2022-2023 initiatives on streamlined paperwork for renovations and new businesses. Home Improvement Permit applicants were surveyed with new software during a seven-month pilot. An interactive guide helps Home-Based Business applicants fulfill legal requirements for operation. City officials also created development application timelines for improved accountability.
Edmonton, AB
Canada
Kapiti Coast District Council, NZ promotes sustainable practices with new business network
Pakihi Toitū o Kāpiti - Sustainable Business of Kapiti - offers free membership for businesses based in the district. Members can access sustainable business plan templates and case studies along with a toolkit for measuring carbon emissions. The council issues digital badges to members so they can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability on social media, websites, and emails. Future initiatives include networking events and commercial waste reduction projects.
Kapiti Coast District Council, NZ
New Zealand
Nelson City Council, NZ Use Our Loos campaign recruits businesses to open restrooms for public use
City officials recognized the negative impacts of insufficient public restrooms on business patronage. This first-in-New Zealand initiative asks businesses to welcome seniors, patrons with disabilities, and others to use their bathrooms without purchase requirements. Nelson City Council supplies Use Our Loos stickers for display on front doors. The campaign recruited 50 businesses by October 2022 with participating shops displayed on an interactive map.
Nelson City Council, NZ
New Zealand
Regina, SK conducts engagement campaign about potential regulations on cosmetic pesticide use
The Regina City Council seeks public feedback on the reduction of non-essential pesticide use. Workshops in August 2022 invited comments and questions from local businesses about potential impacts on their operations. A public survey through October 10, 2022, asks for residents' thoughts on the proposal. City officials contracted the University of Regina for research into comparable regulations and alternative pest management practices prior to council discussions in 2023.
Regina, SK
Canada