Roots of Change is a storytelling platform dedicated to the Alumni community of The Funding Network Australia. Here we share their stories of ingenuity, courage, determination, spirit, growth and the impact these grassroots organisations have had, as a direct result of funds and support received from The Funding Network community.

Hotel Etico

Hotel Etico


Hotel Etico is the place where holidays create opportunities.

Established in 2020 in the Blue Mountains in NSW, Hotel Etico is Australia’s first social enterprise hotel employing and training young people with intellectual disabilities and changing community attitudes about the employment of people with disabilities. An important part of Hotel Etico is the Academy of Independence, a dedicated apartment within the hotel where the trainees live on their workdays providing a dedicated setting to experience supported independent living.

2021 Pitch

Funds Raised: $62,871

Andrea, the Founder and Director of Hotel Etico Australia, pitched for funding to expand its Independence Program to employ and train more young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Learn more about Hotel Etico Australia

https://hoteletico.com.au/

2023 Pitch

Funds Raised: $102,976

Valued alumni, Andrea, the Founder and Director of Hotel Etico Australia, pitched at the TFN 10 year anniversary event for funding to expand its Independence Program to employ and train 15 more young adults with intellectual disabilities. They are also expanding and opening a new site in regional Victoria.

The Impact…

The funding has allowed them to continue pay their 13 trainees in the current cohort full award wages during their employment and training program which, as a consequence, has allowed the organisation to dedicate more resources to continuing building its capacity and ability to be more self-sustaining and focus on growth beyond Mount Victoria.

Supporting Sustainable Development Goals:

Green Fox Studios

Green Fox Studios

WomenCAN Australia

WomenCAN Australia