Who We Are

Onward is a social enterprise focused on reshaping how we think about work. We believe employment should do more than provide a paycheck. It should support personal growth, strengthen communities, and promote justice.

We work from the belief that everyone has innate abilities that, when developed even through work, can make a real contribution to society.

We work across sectors, supporting workers, businesses and the government to strengthen rights, reimagine workplace practices and design systems that serve both people and purpose.

Our Vision

We envision a society where all individuals are equally valued, and where no one is exploited for the gain of another.

In this future, economic systems are designed not just to deliver goods and services, but to help people and communities reach their full potential.

We support building job ecosystems that are fair, inclusive, and focused on the common good.

What sets us apart?

We ask the hard questions

What kind of economy do we want? What does meaningful work look like in practice? What if employment were a way to serve and strengthen society?
We go beyond the basics

Fair pay is not just about following the law. It is about recognizing the real value of people’s work and how is shapes society.
We work from the inside out

We work alongside institutions and communities to unlock capacities, shift discourse and design systems that support inclusive progress.

What We Do

We conduct in depth field research and provide strategic guidance on human rights governance, stakeholder engagement, and supply chain management by advising on due diligence processes, designing grievance mechanisms, and developing policies addressing ethical recruitment, labour risks, and workplace standards.
We work with organizations to identify untapped strengths—whether in leadership, management, or workers—and help build the skills and structures needed for people to grow and contribute meaningfully. We do this by equipping stakeholders with the tools, and training needed to improve human rights outcomes through tailored programs, workshops, and collaborative forums.
We work with impacted communities to assist them to claim their labour entitlements and benefits. We collaborate with relevant stakeholders to this end.
We believe lasting change happens when individuals, institutions, and communities are mutually empowered. That’s why we build partnerships that connect people, communities and institutions in ways that promote shared responsibility and lasting impact.