Harmonizing Social Enterprise and SSE Initiatives for ASEAN’s Sustainable Future

The 2024 Philippine Social Enterprise Roadmap Conference brought together key stakeholders from ASEAN and Asia-Pacific under the theme Harmonizing Social Enterprise (SE) and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Initiatives for ASEAN’s Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Held on November 13-15, 2024, the conference provided a platform for SE and SSE stakeholders to synergize efforts towards sustainable development as Malaysia and the Philippines prepare for their respective ASEAN Chairmanships in 2025 and 2026. The three-day event was held at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City, and made accessible to the public via livestream. 

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The Philippine SE Roadmap and ASEAN SSE Efforts towards the SDGs

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The Honorable Joy Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City, opened the conference, which gathered nearly 300 delegates from ASEAN and APAC, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines. 

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“Today's gathering emphasizes the giant strides we have taken and the long journey still ahead for all of us. Through this conference, we are encouraged to foster mutual learning among ASEAN leaders with the sharing of best practices that can be adapted in our local context. This is an opportunity for us to explore ways to fast-track our contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and set a precedent for the region.”

In her address, Belmonte shared the city’s socio-economic initiatives, all anchored on the premise of kasama ka sa pag-unlad, which means you are part of our progress.

“You are part of our progress. This is a promise all of us have made in our own ways as active collaborators in this pursuit of shared progress, sustainable economic development, and of course, inclusive empowerment. Together, let us usher in a brighter future for our communities and ensure that no one is left behind.”

Belmonte was joined by Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, Head of Secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia for the Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG); Dr. Eri Trinurini, Chairperson of the Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC); and Prof. Jay Bernardo, Chairman and President of Bayan Family of Foundations (BFF), in welcoming the diverse body of participants from across sectors.

The SE Roadmap Council, through the chairpersons of its five subsectors - the cooperatives, MSMEs, NGOs, the academe, and corporations - shared their milestones over the past year and their programs’ synergies with SSE initiatives.

Sector-specific discussions were held with experts from cooperatives, the academe, MSMEs, NGOs, and corporations sharing insights into the SE Roadmap’s impact on partner communities and local SSE initiatives, as well as areas with potential for growth and multi-sector.

The Role of Government in the Success of Social Enterprise and Social and Solidarity Economy Initiatives

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The conference spotlighted the crucial role of government in empowering both the citizenry and the institutions that pursue SE and SSE initiatives. In a key session on Day 2 of the conference, Hobi Cortes, Executive Director of Bayan Innovation Group (BIG), shared how the Bayan Family of Foundations is institutionalizing the Philippine Social Enterprise (SE) Roadmap through three pilot laboratories: the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Local Government of Quezon City, and the Municipality of Odiongan, Romblon.  

With the support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), BIG has begun work with BARMM, Quezon City, and Odiongan to embed SE and SSE initiatives into their governance frameworks through localized strategies. The goal is to develop a vibrant cooperative and SE economy; to generate inclusive livelihood and sustainable employment; and to foster peace, prosperity and improved quality of life.

In a dialogue with Hon. Trina Firmalo-Fabic (Mayor of Odiongan), Mona Celine Yap (Department Head, Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office), and Lininding Pangandaman (Chief, CSEA-BARMM Social Enterprise Division), discussion focused on the importance of creating a social enterprise-friendly ecosystem through enabling policies, capacity-building programs, and public-private partnerships. Institutionalizing SE initiatives through local ordinances and building strong partnerships with the community were key in driving real progress.

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“Our goal is to create policies that are not just inclusive but transformative to ensure that our social enterprises have the support they need to thrive and benefit the community,” shared Mayor Trina Firmalo-Fabic.

Following the discussion on the SE Roadmap model LGUs were case studies on policy-driven SE and SSE initiatives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, and the Philippines and their impact on sustainable development.

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Synergies Between SE and SSE Initiatives for the Achievement of the SDGs

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On Day 3, the SE Roadmap Council and the ASEAN Core Group presented their SE and SSE Agenda, as well as joint initiatives forged during the strategic collaboration workshops held on Day 2 of the conference. These commitments will align efforts for  the ASEAN Chairmanships of Malaysia in 2025 and the Philippines in 2026, as well as the 2025 Philippine SE Roadmap Conference on Technology Innovations for the SDGs.

Day 3 also featured a series of panel discussions on critical topics in SE and SSE, namely:  education; women and youth; the care economy, specifically the Filipino migrant workers sector; and investing with impact. The dialogues, led by experts and thought leaders from ASEAN and APAC, showed the potential for SE and SSE initiatives to address multi-faceted socio-economic challenges across sectors.

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A Call for Continuing Collaboration Towards ASEAN’s Sustainable Future

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The 2024 Philippine Social Enterprise Roadmap Conference has opened up a platform for multi-sector, regional collaboration and learning exchange. Realizing the group’s commitments and turning strategy into action are key to shaping a bright, sustainable ASEAN. Speaking on behalf of the SE Roadmap community, Prof. Jay Bernardo reflected on this shared hope and challenge.

“We dream a lot of dreams, we talk a lot of talk. But if we combine dreams with action, then a lot of things can actually happen. We can do this all together in collaboration, in cooperation, so that it's much easier to move.

And this is what we should do, really, put our hands together, put our brains together and come up with better things to improve all our countries and learn from each other."

The 2024 Philippine SE Roadmap Conference was hosted by the SE Roadmap co-secretariat: Bayan Family of Foundations and the Society for the Advancement of Professional Social Entrepreneurship, through the support of its co-organizers: Tatak SE, the Quezon City Government, Ayala Corporation, All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia, the Asian Solidarity Economy Council, Asia Value Advisors Ltd.; and its sponsors: Alagang AyalaLand, BPI Foundation, and BPI Direct BanKo. For more information, visit our site: SE Roadmap Conference or email us at seroadmap@bayanfamilyoffoundations.org.