2024 has been a transformative year for SEWF as we moved to an alternate-year model for our hybrid event in response to the climate crisis, expanded our work in policy and research to influence systems change and continued to steward People and Planet First as past of a global collective. It has also been a year marked by global uncertainty, including political and economic instability, the worsening climate crisis and deepening inequalities. Social enterprises are at the forefront of addressing these challenges, driving innovative, inclusive solutions that put people and planet first. SEWF champions, connects and supports social enterprises and the global social enterprise community. Our activities are always grounded in local knowledge and experience and through cooperation and partnerships, we work together to accelerate positive and sustainable change.
We partnered with the World Economic Forum and the Schwab Foundation on State of Social Enterprise 2024 highlighting scale and importance of the global movement.
Together with the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE). we stewarded the creation of the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto – Unlocking the power of rural social enterprise, co-produced by over 100 organisations across six continents. The manifesto outlines three key principles for collaborating with rural populations to identify and create new opportunities that accelerate enterprising and sustainable rural communities. It also presents eight actionable policy recommendations to advance social enterprise in rural areas, delivering economic, cultural, environmental and social value.
SEWF’s Social Investment Working Group launched. The group’s goal is to co-create a social investment action plan in collaboration with the SEWF community. Community consultation coming soon.
Over 320 participants from around 60 countries registered for our free workshop, “Generative AI for Social Enterprises – Become 10x More Efficient,” led by Wouter van Haaften, founder of Generative AI Solutions. The session focused on practical ways social enterprises can use AI to improve efficiency.
More opportunities coming in 2025.
With nearly 1,200 registrations from over 100 countries, this year’s SEWF Policy Forum was a truly global gathering. Discussions focused on the need and importance of rural communities, youth and governments in addressing global issues as well as the policies that support and enable grassroots work.
On 21 November 2024, during People and Planet First Week, SEWF’s Social Enterprise Day delivered a powerful message: the future of the social enterprise movement rests on the strength of local actions and global partnerships. With over 650 registrations from more than 85 countries, the event focused on how we can work together to shape a brighter, more sustainable future. SEWF Social Enterprise Day event was a day for purpose-driven enterprises to unite, collaborate and celebrate the social enterprise movement putting people and planet first.
From 18–22 November 2024, the first-ever People and Planet First Week celebrated enterprises that put people and planet first. The global campaign featured inspiring stories, impactful conversations and the growing influence of verified enterprises.
Key highlights:
Read the People and Planet First Week’s summary blog.
Social Enterprise World Forum 2025 will be co-hosted by Impact Hub Taipei in Taipei, Taiwan, with SEWF25 Week taking place from 27-31 October. As a global hybrid gathering, SEWF brings together the social enterprise community, providing a platform for entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers worldwide to connect, learn and find inspiration.
People and Planet First is a verification and a global collective that is working to accelerate the transition to an economy that puts people and the planet first. SEWF is steward of People and Planet First working with a network of partners around the world to provide a verification system, access to resources and collective advocacy.
Since May 2024, we’ve been organising quarterly online meet-ups for leaders and senior managers of social enterprise intermediaries, network or support agencies.
Earlier this year we started the SEWF Community LinkedIn Group, with the aim to spark a conversation between social entrepreneurs and provide platform to exchange expertise and promote work.
Do you want to learn about the latest developments in social enterprise, access opportunities and promote your work? Join us on LinkedIn and connect with hundreds of like-minded people in the social enterprise space.
