Having successfully established a new social enterprise, Striding Out CIC, Heather Wilkinson is travelling the world, uncovering inspiring social enterprises. In this first installment, she updates us on her findings in Australia and New Zealand.

After five years of building Striding Out CIC, I'm attempting the four hour working week philosophy, encouraged by Tim Ferris, and taking some time out travelling the world, getting inspired, having fun and spotting interesting social enterprise concepts, whilst still working remotely as Chair of Stridng Out (this is turning out to be a bit more than four hours a week though - I haven't mastered it just yet).

In New Zealand there is a clear opportunity for social enterprise to tackle environmental goals. The country generally has a positive green and sustainable image, yet I was surprised to see just how early stage this entire sector is. According to several people I met energy efficiency and sustainable living is only just beginning to take shape. There is a real opportunity for social enterprises to drive forward development in this space and I met two which were doing just that.

On the South Island I came across the beautiful Mistletoe Bay Eco Village. Situated in the spectacular waterways of the Queen Charlotte Sound, this lovely looking holiday resort is a beacon for sustainability. Founded in 2003, the resort was created as part of an attempt to seek alternative ways to manage the Mistletoe Bay Reserve. Managed by a team of volunteer trustees, it now educates visitors  on leading a sustainable lifestyle in a coastal area. It is far more than just a place to stay, it's a real experience.

Continuing the tourism theme was the excellent Trees for Travellers - an excellent project which allows visitors to the popular Kaikoura area to sponsor the planting of a tree. It's managed by Innovative Waste Kaikoura, a not for profit organisation working in the local community to achieve zero waste and improve the district's environmental impact.   We all know importance of tress in absorbing CO2. This project not only helps to cut down on CO2, but just as crucially increases the biodiversity of the region.

Before I moved on, I had time for one more. The CRT Cooperative is doing sterling work harnessing the collective power of its 25,000 shareholders to improve their collective profitability. Each shareholder benefits from rebates and rewards on farm supplies purchased from 31 CRT Farm Centre Stores and from purchases at 4,000 retail stores nationwide. It has even entered into the Real Estate Marketplace and Bulk Fuel Market.

In Australia, the most striking point was the sheer scale of the cost of living. With soaring costs it is now more expensive to live here than in the UK. Although Australia has escaped the global economic crisis relatively unscathed, this will surely have an impact on people living near the poverty line. Here I barely managed to skim the surface of the social enterprise scene, but did stumble upon an excellent organisation addressing one of the most pressing issues in the sustainability sector - disposable coffee cups.

We've all seen the number of people grabbing coffee on the go. For those who are keen on environmental sustainability, the thought of all those disposable cups sends a shiver down the spine. That's what inspired the inventors of the KeepCup who created a stylish looking reusable coffee cup. It's already won the Melbourne Eco Suppliers Award, but this is a company with big ambitions. Its founders plan to take the brand across the world, but to do so in a uniquely localised way. As the company  says itself, local manufacture is  crucial to its own eco credentials which is why it's working to provide local  manufacturing hubs in Europe and the US. It's a great idea and, like all the others, shows the capacity for social enterprises to spearhead innovation - and show the way for the rest of society.

Next month I'm off to Indonesia. I'll report back on my findings soon"

Heather Wilkinson is CEO of Striding Out, a community interest company providing leadership and business training to individuals of all backgrounds.