Events / SEWF23
Sustainability statement
SEWF and SEWF23 Co-hosts, Amsterdam Impact and Social Enterprise NL, are committed to planning a sustainable event, including elements that prioritise environmental impact.
Climate change continues to increasingly impact communities around the world with disadvantaged communities, where many social enterprises work, being more significantly affected.
SEWF, Amsterdam Impact and Social Enterprise NL believe that all organisations have a role in taking action to embed sustainability practices into their work. Ahead of our events this year we are working with experts in sustainability to develop the SEWF23 Sustainability Strategy. This statement summarises the key principles and approach to our strategy.
SEWF context
SEWF supports the global social enterprise movement to have local and global impact in the fight against climate change. Many of the enterprises in our community work directly to address sustainability issues, such as through campaigning and education, as well as those developing and delivering climate solutions.
As a global convener of events, SEWF recognises the significant impact the events industry, particularly those requiring international travel, has on the planet. Following consultation with our community and recognising the long-term legacy SEWF events have in the countries they are held for positive social, economic and environmental outcomes, we will continue to offer in-person participation but with a focus on developing a world-class hybrid model to encourage online participation and reduce international travel. We will continue to review our model as technology continues to develop.
Our vision
SEWF23 will demonstrate the potential of sustainable convening by delivering a world-class hybrid event. SEWF aspires to be a leader in sustainable practices and the sustainability measures taken will set new parameters for accessibility and responsible participation and will have an influence within and outside the global social enterprise community.
Our principles
Our approach is guided by commitments to the following principles:
- Leadership
- Inclusivity
- Transparency
- Integrity
- Stewardship
- Co-production
- Continuous improvement
Our approach
SEWF, Amsterdam Impact and Social Enterprise NL have committed to an investment in hybrid technology to ensure a high-quality experience for those joining online as well as in-person to reduce the need for international travel as well as to reduce barriers to access.
The Community Hub model (piloted in 2021 and 2022) enables local groups to self-organise around SEWF23 to meet and network locally without travelling internationally. SEWF will provide guidance to Community Hubs to encourage them to embed similar sustainability practices into their events.
“Planet” is one of our priority themes for 2023, ensuring that “living and trading within planetary boundaries” is at the centre of all programming for selection of session topics, organisations and speakers.
Messaging will be tailored to encourage a minimum of 80% in-person participants coming from the host country and Europe.
To ensure the event is accessible to all, bursaries will be available including Digital Passes for individuals and enterprises experiencing financial hardship and those based in low income, lower middle income and conflict affected countries.
The selection of suppliers, including venues, catering, transportation, technology and accommodation, will be guided by environmental standards adopted for SEWF23. These standards will include commitment to sustainably sourced materials and zero waste practices relating to participant packs, stationery, speaker gifts, PVC-free signs, booth guidelines, water refill stations, waste segregation, composting and recycling.
A mandatory carbon offset is included in the ticket price for Physical and Digital Passes for SEWF23. We will also use a carbon calculator to calculate the overall carbon impact of hosting the event. Following the calculation, we will financially support a range of carbon offset initiatives led by social enterprises.
The SEWF23 Sustainability Strategy includes objectives and targets that we will measure and report against. We will benchmark against other social purpose and commercial sector events to examine the relationship between purpose and sustainability, and to improve future performance. We will publish the results on our website.