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Empowering rural communities and youth through social enterprise policy: SEWF Policy Forum highlights
“Social enterprise is actually really hard. Anyone who has set up and run a social enterprise knows that it is not a walk in a park. So be open and respectful with rural communities, recognising that social development can take time. I think most rural people are interested in depth rather than scale and they are used to things not going to plan. So being open about that, sharing that and tapping into that tenacious spirit of rural and the acceptance of risk, are real strengths of rural communities.”
– Mary-Anne Scully, Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) (Australia)
In a world faced with escalating climate emergencies, political division and economic instability, rural communities and young people often find themselves at the frontlines as both the first responders and those most affected. Social enterprises that operate in those often marginalised communities are uniquely positioned to drive solutions that address these crises at their roots. At the heart of the SEWF Policy Forum (23 October 2024) was the question of how policy can best support and empower those key actors leading the change.
Policymakers, changemakers and social entrepreneurs gathered virtually at the SEWF 2024 Policy Forum with over 1100 registrations from over 100 countries. Participants had the opportunity to engage in 11 sessions with 27 expert speakers. They discussed 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, including but not limited to rural social enterprises. These sessions emphasised the importance of creating a more equitable and sustainable future by empowering and working directly with those most affected by today’s global challenges on a policy level.
Unlocking the power of rural social enterprise: Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto launched
Rural areas often bear the brunt of global challenges such as climate change, economic marginalisation and limited infrastructure. Yet, these communities are also fertile ground for social innovation and a blueprint for active communities, with social enterprises working to develop localised solutions that address the specific community needs of these regions at a grassroots level. At the Policy Forum, rural social enterprises took the centre stage at the very first session, as Mary-Anne Scully from the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) (Australia) introduced the Rural Social Enterprise Manifesto.
‘Unlocking the power of rural social enterprise’ outlines three key principles for collaborating with rural populations and eight actionable policy recommendations to advance social enterprise in rural areas, delivering economic, cultural, environmental and social value. This six-month effort was stewarded by the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and the Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) and shaped by contributions from over 100 organisations and individuals across 35 countries on six continents. This Manifesto is a truly global reflection of rural communities and features a wide selection of best practice and case studies from social enterprises, networks, intermediaries and policymakers, providing a blueprint for other changemakers to implement the manifesto within their communities.
With 3.4 billion people residing in rural areas, the need for rural economic development is a pressing concern for both local and national governments. Extreme poverty and inequality are concentrated mainly in rural areas. An estimated 79% of those experiencing poverty live in rural areas (World Bank, 2018). Rural populations generally have significantly reduced access to essential services, including education, healthcare and infrastructure (United Nations, 2021). In addition, many rural communities depend heavily on climate-sensitive livelihoods.
Social enterprise is an effective model for many rural communities who are seeking to build localised economies that are resilient, inclusive and enterprising. However, they require tailored, supportive policies to thrive. The discussions stressed the need for policies that address infrastructure gaps – such as digital connectivity, transportation and access to job markets – which often limit the ability of rural communities to implement change. Decentralised policy frameworks that allow local governments to craft solutions in collaboration with rural communities were seen as essential for unlocking the potential of social enterprises in these regions.
“Most social enterprises find that their local government has more bearing on their business than national government. There are hundreds of municipal and regional networks that engage closely with local governments to create impact.” – Gerry Higgins, SEWF (Scotland)
Empowering youth: The changemakers of tomorrow
“Young people are increasingly (and this is backed by studies) prioritising careers with positive social and environmental impact. What we see is that young people see it as a deciding factor. Young people prefer to be self-employed. They seem very entrepreneurial. We observe that in many countries.” – Melis Aslan, OECD (France)
Young people are not just future leaders – they are today’s changemakers, driving social innovation. They are also the most economically affected generation globally, therefore it is no surprise they demand a seat at the decision-making table. The Policy Forum session on “Engaging the next generation as agents of positive change” highlighted the need and readiness of young entrepreneurs in tackling social and environmental issues. Yet to be able to drive the change we so desperately need, young people, especially those in rural areas, need to have access to equal resources and opportunities.
“The basics around access to technology are key because it opens up the world to young people in deep rural areas. [It means] they don’t have to move to the city to access opportunities. So they can stay where they are, with their families.
Most people in rural areas have been left behind because of the infrastructure and where they were born. It’s not fair for them not to be able to access opportunities, open their business and solve problems in their communities. – Luvuyo Rani, Silulo Ulutho Technologies (South Africa)
OECD’s studies suggest that there’s a gap between what’s available for young people and social entrepreneurs and what they actually need. 76% of young people consider access to finances a big challenge but only 44% of policymakers report offering such support.
Speakers stressed the need for youth-specific policies that provide access to education, mentorship and above all, funding. Governments and institutions must ensure youth-led participation in policymaking, recognising the energy, creativity and commitment young people bring to solving global issues as well as their actual needs. Creating an enabling policy environment that is based on understanding is crucial.
Policy action: Bridging the gap between ideals and implementation through data
While the SEWF Policy Forum featured numerous inspiring stories and policy examples, a clear message resonated across sessions: policy must move further into action. More than 30 countries have now adopted policies specifically designed to support the social enterprise movement, but how do we get it across the entire globe?
Despite the evident potential of social enterprises to drive transformative change, many remain constrained by outdated or insufficient policy frameworks. According to Jonathan Wong from United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Thailand), existing social enterprise policy is still in its infancy. To be able to confidently progress it, we first need experimentation and a room to assess what works. This informed approach was reflected by Melis Aslan describing OECD studies. It was also echoed by Jonas Yawovi Dzinekou of Tangaza University (Kenya), who highlighted the need for a data-informed approach in collaboration with universities in order to get government support.
Effective policies must prioritise co-creation that engages social enterprises and local communities in the decision-making process. Such policies must address financing barriers, create legal structures that recognise social enterprises and ensure that support is accessible to those who need it most – particularly young people and rural communities.
Collective action: A path forward for the global social enterprise movement
“This is about people that we want to help. This is about people that we want to empower. So just get things done, talk to people, collaborate. Take the risk you can afford to take. There are a lot more people who want to help you than people who want to see you fail.” – Viviantie Sarjuni, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) (Malaysia)
The SEWF Policy Forum concluded with a rallying call for collective action. The global challenges we face – from climate change to economic inequality – are too vast for any single sector or region to tackle alone. Social enterprises, policymakers and changemakers must work together to build a more equitable and sustainable future for people and the planet.
Empowering youth, rural communities and social enterprises that serve them is key to this effort. The SEWF Policy Forum underscored that by supporting these groups through inclusive and forward-thinking policies, social enterprises can scale their impact, fostering social innovation and economic resilience where it is needed most.
Policymakers, changemakers and social entrepreneurs worldwide must continue to build on the insights shared at the SEWF Policy Forum, pushing for policy frameworks that not only support and empower social enterprises but also address their most urgent needs like access to funding and procurement. The time for action is now – and the solutions lie in the hands of those working tirelessly at the grassroots to create a better world for all.