In 2008 when SEWF was founded, the sector lacked a global context. SEWF provided a platform where people could form long-lasting relationships, draw on and share models of best practice and drive the social enterprise movement together.

Since then, we have built momentum, developed networking opportunities, explored diverse social enterprise models, shared and created policies and exchanged learning experiences.

Our annual events and growing range of activities have allowed social enterprise leaders, practitioners and policymakers to engage and grow the social enterprise movement.

In 2021 we travelled – albeit virtually – to Nova Scotia, where we partnered with Common Good Solutions as 2021 Co-host to shine a spotlight on Canada, while also addressing priorities and issues for social enterprises around the world. SEWF 2021 was our first hybrid event with a network of Community Hubs hosting local events (in person and virtually). 58% of our speakers at SEWF 2021 identified as female, nonbinary or trans; 31% of speakers were under 30 and 72% also were first-time speakers. We recorded a combined 3,142 participants from 131 countries who were in attendance at the Youth Forum (27 September) and at SEWF 2021 (28-29 September). Spread across the year were also different SEWF events including the Policy Forum (27-28 April), Academic Forum (16-17 November) and the Rural Forum (27-28 October).

In 2020, with just a few months to pivot our plans after the pandemic made meeting in person impossible, we hosted our first ever SEWF Digital events. SEWF Digital was our biggest global event to date, with over 5,000 reserved places from participants across 100 countries – 26% of whom were under 30 years old. A total of 234 speakers participated in 94 sessions. Prior to SEWF Digital, we held our first online Policy Forum, which engaged 162 policymakers and sector leaders across 30 sessions, featuring 43 different speakers.

Below you’ll find a list of SEWF past locations and hosts. Click on the location for more information, including participant numbers, reports and videos (available for 2016-2020).