Community | Policy

Policy that rises to the challenge: SEWF Policy Forum 2025

by Kasia Kotlarska / May 2025

What I’m optimistic about is where social enterprise is right now. Enterprise and social seems to be a subset, right? We’re a sliver of the enterprise space and what I’m optimistic about is that that will no longer be possible beyond 2030. Social enterprise is enterprise and I think these are the disruptions we’re seeing today…that there’s a potential for us to create a real movement to not be a sub sector or a clean-up sector while there is a much larger mess-up sector. How do we change the idea of what enterprise should be? I think that’s the bigger opportunity, a mission.”.
– Gaurav Gupta, Dalberg Advisors (Singapore)

At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain – marked by conflict, deepening inequality and the accelerating climate crisis – the SEWF Policy Forum 2025 offered something rare: practical ideas rooted in collaboration, shaped by lived experience and backed by action.

Hosted in partnership with Impact Hub Taipei, this year’s virtual Policy Forum was a truly global gathering with over 760 registrations including changemakers, policymakers and social enterprises from over 90 countries. Together, they explored how progressive policy can unlock the full potential of social enterprises to build more inclusive, resilient economies for people and planet, rather than profit. From Indigenous self-determination to youth empowerment, data harmonisation to expanding programmes beyond urban areas, the SEWF Policy Forum offered a well-rounded policy discussion with diverse perspectives.

Asia-Pacific: a region leading with innovation

A standout theme this year was the policy leadership from the Asia-Pacific region. In sessions spotlighting Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Bhutan, Australia and beyond, we heard how governments and organisations work towards embedding social enterprise into broader economic development strategies—not as an afterthought but as a driving force.

Participants heard from Dr. Ting-Yueh (Eva) Kang, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, about how Taiwan’s Social Innovation Action Plan 2.0 focuses on capacity-building, supporting high-potential social enterprises, cross-sector collaboration and global partnerships, with its Social Innovation Lab connecting over 488 organisations and working with 17 government ministries.

Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya from Social Enterprise Thailand Association explained how Thailand’s Social Enterprise Promotion Act (2019) introduced tax incentives, social procurement frameworks and capacity-building programmes developed through government, private sector and civil society collaboration.

Yoshitaka Tabuchi, Zebras and Company Inc. (Japan), described how Japan has incorporated “zebra” enterprise principles—mission-driven, sustainable business models—into national economic policy, supported by multiple ministries. Kinley Tenzin described how Bhutan’s Youth Development Fund aligns social enterprise with the Gross National Happiness framework, pioneering social ventures and influencing new Civil Society Organisation (CSO) guidelines despite lacking formal legal recognition.

Sarah Haigh shared how Queensland’s Office of Social Impact manages an $80 million AUD Social Entrepreneurs Fund. With a $20 million AUD investment mandate over four years to foster social enterprises serving marginalised communities, emphasising partnerships and impact measurement.. These examples highlight how the Asia-Pacific region is advancing social enterprise policy through community-centred, multi-sector approaches.

These national examples showed what’s possible when policy is designed in partnership with communities and tailored to local contexts. From national legislation to impact-linked funding mechanisms, Asia-Pacific is innovating for social enterprise.

“We recognise that the government has a role here but we’re not doing it alone… community, business, social enterprise, investors, philanthropy, faith-based organisations – everyone is part of the ecosystem.” – Sarah Haigh, Office of Social Impact, Queensland Treasury (Australia)

Social enterprises: vital actors in turbulent times

The difference between social enterprises and regular businesses in terms of practices… Is that [social enterprises ] have a transformational engagement with the poor as opposed to a regular business having a transactional engagement. – Marie Lisa Dacanay, Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) (Philippines)

When systems are stretched and communities face compounding crises, social enterprises are often the first to respond. They create jobs where none exist, deliver services where others have withdrawn and rebuild trust where it has been eroded.

This year’s Policy Forum highlighted the urgency of policy that keeps pace with this work, policy that enables rapid action in response to disasters, supports community-led action and recognises social enterprise as playing a vital role for communities.

Since business as usual isn’t working, I think social enterprises are in a better position to actually promote innovation and social innovation. And, as has been pointed out, we are in a better position to respond to grassroots issues despite the global disruption. So, I think we’re in a good space, ironically. Because of the [issues in the] whole world you know, social development is still getting worse and that becomes a very good foundation for the social entrepreneurs and social enterprise. We need purpose-driven enterprise products and services with impact. – Marie Lisa Dacanay, Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) (Philippines)

The SEWF Policy Forum speakers reflected on their optimism for social enterprise amid global challenges. Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya from Social Enterprise Thailand Association sees emerging ecosystems where social enterprises collaborate to drive sustainable missions. Ting-Yueh (Eva) Kang highlighted growing international partnerships and practical collaborations, such as hosting SEWF25 in Taipei in October. Kinley Tenzin is hopeful about the development of a “mindfulness city” as a hub for mindful entrepreneurship. Yoshitaka Tabuchi emphasised valuing traditional companies through new perspectives and international collaboration. Sarah Haigh from Queensland’s Office of Social Impact expressed excitement about leveraging the Brisbane 2032 Olympics to advance social procurement and social enterprise growth.

When discussing geopolitical and economic turbulence, speakers acknowledged the shared challenges with all businesses—rising costs and market uncertainties. Speakers advised diversifying income sources and balancing economic sustainability with social impact by maintaining competitive advantage. They also encouraged continuous innovation and mindful consumption, focusing on scaling impact through networks and resources to help social innovators thrive globally. Viviantie Sarjuni, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) (Malaysia) saw the uncertainty as an opportunity to rethink and regenerate business models, creating new markets and values.

“Where there is a challenge, I believe there’s also an opportunity” – Viviantie Sarjuni, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) (Malaysia)

Policy shaped by those it serves

The Forum reinforced a truth that cannot be overstated: good policy starts with listening. Effective social enterprise policy must be informed by the voices, data and lived experiences of social entrepreneurs on the ground, who navigate complex local realities and dual currencies of financial and social impact. Speakers stressed the importance of decentralising finance and decision-making to better reflect local needs – especially outside of urban areas – recognising that impact is often felt most deeply at community level.

Speakers called for policies that are flexible, adaptive and responsive— rooted in Indigenous wisdom, capable of supporting grassroots innovation while also creating enabling environments for scaling impact. The need to balance global frameworks with tailored, local solutions was emphasised, ensuring that social enterprises receive recognition, resources and valuation beyond traditional financial metrics.

“Capital is important, but it’s only one part. Business has to be about mindset, community and movement – not just growth.” – Yoshitaka Tabuchi, Zebras and Company Inc. (Japan)

The SEWF Policy Forum highlighted that social enterprises play a vital role in shaping policies that enable rapid action, build resilient ecosystems and foster inclusive, sustainable economies.

The Global Social Investment Survey closes on 23 May. In partnership with Dalberg, this global survey seeks insights from social enterprises, networks, intermediaries and support agencies to identify overlooked barriers to social investment and spotlight practical solutions. Have your say and help shape a more inclusive investment landscape.

From ambition to action

Across the programme, a clear thread emerged: we don’t need to start from scratch. Around the world, effective policies already exist—whether it’s Thailand’s emerging social enterprise ecosystems driving sustainable missions, Bhutan’s “mindfulness city” concept fostering mindful entrepreneurship, or Queensland’s innovative $80 million fund and plan to leverage the upcoming Olympics, to advance social procurement and social enterprise growth. The task now is to learn from these examples, adapt them to different contexts and connect them into something greater than the sum of their parts.

With everything going on in the world right now, my mantra would be ‘vocal for local’. So, use global insights but power local action. – Sreevas Sahasranamam, Adam Smith Business School University of Glasgow (UK)

Collaboration is key. Governments, social enterprises, investors and communities from all over the world must work together to break down silos and build connected, supportive ecosystems. This approach will help move social enterprise beyond being a niche sector, making it mainstream and integral to global business practices, balancing profit with purpose and scaling impact globally.

“I’d like to thank SEWF for hosting this important Policy Forum. It’s an honour to share a Taiwanese experience and how we support the social Enterprises and including sustainable growth” – Ting-Yueh (Eva) Kang, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (Taiwan)

Thank you SEWF team for putting together a Policy Forum that brings the spotlight to the Asia Pacific region. – Sreevas Sahasranamam, Adam Smith Business School University of Glasgow (UK)

Join the conversation:

What did you think of the SEWF Policy Forum? Let us know what you thought about the SEWF Policy Forum 2025 on social media. Tag @Social Enterprise World Forum and use #SEWFPolicyForum so we can share your posts.

SEWF: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram