The Way Forward for Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

Summary

The video explores the concept of social enterprises (SEs) and their role in driving sustainable change. Rhys Fernandez Ruiz, a social entrepreneur, discusses the challenges and impact of SEs, particularly in the Philippines, where SEs address social issues like poverty and environmental concerns. Despite the lack of a formal legal framework, SEs contribute significantly to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The video emphasizes the importance of support systems such as financing, mentorship, and community for SEs to thrive. It also highlights efforts like the national SE development roadmap aimed at fostering a more cohesive SE ecosystem in the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social entrepreneurship is about businesses with a social mission, aiming to address societal challenges while being profitable.
• 😀 Social enterprises (SEs) are legally defined in some countries to ensure their social missions are met, but the Philippines currently lacks such a legal definition.
• 😀 The goal of social enterprises is to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity by 2030.
• 😀 In the Philippines, social entrepreneurs work to solve problems in communities where the market has failed or been ineffective, such as providing fair livelihoods for farmers or creating recycling systems for plastic.
• 😀 Social entrepreneurs often face challenges such as balancing profit and impact, navigating corrupt systems, and bridging gaps in society.
• 😀 The social enterprise ecosystem in the Philippines is fragmented, with various organizations and support systems working together to address social issues.
• 😀 Social entrepreneurs need key resources, including community support, sustainable financing, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities.
• 😀 The Bayan family of Foundations, established in 2009, has been advancing social entrepreneurship in the Philippines and developed a national strategic plan to support SE growth.
• 😀 The National Social Enterprise (SE) Development Roadmap, launched in 2021, aims to unify stakeholders and maximize the sector's impact through a five-year initiative.
• 😀 Social entrepreneurs are encouraged to work together to create positive impact while making a living, and their success is supported by various sectors such as MSMEs, academe, and government.
• 😀 Supporting social entrepreneurs is vital for creating sustainable systems and encouraging more individuals to take part in solving global challenges. Corporations, foundations, and educational institutions can all contribute to this goal.

Q & A

What is a social enterprise, and how is it defined across different countries?

A social enterprise is a business with a social mission, aimed at solving social issues through market-based solutions. While some countries have legal definitions for social enterprises, in others, they can take various organizational forms such as MSMEs, cooperatives, corporations, and NGOs.

How do social enterprises contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Social enterprises help achieve SDGs by addressing urgent social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. They focus on creating positive social impact and work toward ensuring peace, prosperity, and the protection of the planet by 2030.

What are some specific examples of social enterprises in the Philippines?

Social enterprises in the Philippines include businesses that aim to provide fair livelihoods for farmers, create recycling facilities, and address issues like poverty and environmental sustainability. These enterprises tackle problems that are often deeply rooted in systemic challenges.

Why are social enterprises considered crucial for tackling global challenges?

Social enterprises are crucial because they provide innovative solutions to issues that traditional markets have failed to address. By focusing on the social mission, they work to correct systemic flaws and contribute to the collective well-being of communities worldwide.

What are some challenges Filipino social entrepreneurs face in their work?

Filipino social entrepreneurs face challenges like balancing profit and social impact, navigating fragmented support systems, dealing with corruption, and managing the complexities of creating solutions from the ground up in underserved communities.

What support do social entrepreneurs need to thrive?

Social entrepreneurs need community support, sustainable financing, mentorship, and opportunities to develop their leadership skills. These resources help them grow their impact while ensuring the financial sustainability of their businesses.

How has the Bayan Family of Foundations contributed to social entrepreneurship in the Philippines?

The Bayan Family of Foundations has been supporting social entrepreneurship since 2009. In 2021, they developed the National SE Development Roadmap to unify the sector, promote collaboration, and maximize the impact of social enterprises across the country.

What is the National SE Development Roadmap, and how does it aim to help social enterprises in the Philippines?

The National SE Development Roadmap is a five-year initiative launched in 2021 to create a unified and supportive ecosystem for social enterprises in the Philippines. It involves collaboration from various sectors, including MSMEs, NGOs, the academe, and government, to help social enterprises grow and maximize their societal impact.

What role do corporations, foundations, and academia play in supporting social enterprises?

Corporations can support social enterprises by incorporating them into their supply chains. Foundations can provide long-term programs to develop social enterprise leaders, and academia can push for the development of social enterprise programs to nurture future leaders in the sector.

What is the Bayan Family of Foundations’ vision for the future of social enterprises in the Philippines?

The Bayan Family of Foundations envisions a future where social enterprises in the Philippines thrive, creating widespread social impact. They aim to strengthen the ecosystem, raise awareness, and provide necessary support to ensure that social enterprises continue to grow and contribute to solving societal issues.