Bayan Family of Foundations and Quezon City LGU Host 2024 Philippine Social Enterprise Roadmap Conference

The Bayan Family of Foundations, in collaboration with the Quezon City Local Government, hosted the 2024 Philippine Social Entreprise Roadmap Conference from November 13 to 14, 2024, at the Seda Hotel in Vertis North, Quezon City. The event, themed “Harmonizing SE and SSE Initiatives for ASEAN’s Contribution to the SDGs,” focused on uniting Social Enterprises (SEs) within the broader Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) framework. This conference served as a pivotal platform to advance ASEAN’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative and collective approaches.

Keynote and Theme Highlights

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of local governments in fostering social innovation and inclusivity. She highlighted Quezon City’s initiatives to promote sustainable development and support SE and SSE efforts, ensuring that economic growth aligns with social and environmental priorities.

The theme underscored the importance of synergizing SE and SSE initiatives to create a thriving ecosystem where these sectors could mutually reinforce shared objectives. The conference explored strategies for building solid local and regional linkages across various sectors, including cooperatives, mutual societies, and community enterprises.

MLQU Academy’s Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship

A significant highlight of the event was a panel discussion hosted by the Manuel L. Quezon Academy (MLQA), which is spearheaded by the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) in partnership with the Bayan Family of Foundations. MLQA is the Philippine host for the Asian Social Enterprises and SSE Education Program, solidifying its position as a national hub for social entrepreneurship.

The panel featured distinguished speakers:

• Mr. Luke Orbos, Executive Director of Bayan Academy;
• Ms. Lucille Ortile, Executive Vice President of MLQU;
• Mr. Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of Social Ventures Hong Kong;
• Prof. David Bishop, Principal Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong.

Ms. Ortile shared MLQU’s vision for the MLQA, emphasizing the university’s role in leveraging academic expertise to shape MLQA as a transformative platform for capacity-building, mentorship, and innovation in social entrepreneurship.

The Role of MLQU in Operationalizing MLQA

Ms. Ortile outlined MLQU’s strategic initiatives to support MLQA:

1. Tailored Programs and Courses: MLQU is developing specialized training and workshops in sustainability, finance, and impact measurement to equip social entrepreneurs with critical skills.
2. Research and Knowledge Sharing: The university’s research initiatives provide data-driven insights to optimize the operations of social enterprises and maximize their social impact.
3. Extension Services: Through mentorship and advisory programs, MLQU fosters continuous learning and sustainable growth for social enterprises.

Building the SE Ecosystem for Sustainable Development

The conference spotlighted the Philippine Social Enterprise Development Roadmap (SE Roadmap), a comprehensive strategy launched in 2023. The roadmap exemplifies a multi-sector approach, involving collaborations among the academe, MSMEs, corporations, cooperatives, NGOs, and government institutions. Key outcomes of the roadmap include democratizing SSE initiatives, promoting cross-sector partnerships, and aligning efforts with the SDGs.

Participants were encouraged to:

• Explore how the SE Roadmap supports the growth and scalability of SSE initiatives;
• Share best practices and build partnerships with SE and SSE leaders across ASEAN;
• Align impact-driven initiatives to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for ASEAN.

Towards a Collaborative Future

The 2024 Philippine Social Entreprise Roadmap Conference successfully brought together local and regional stakeholders to advance collective action in addressing societal and environmental challenges. Through the collaborative efforts of Bayan Family of Foundations, Quezon City LGU, and partners like MLQU, the event underscored the transformative power of education, research, and innovation in achieving sustainable development goals. As the MLQA continues to grow, it remains committed to fostering a new generation of social impact leaders and strengthening the ecosystem of social enterprises in the Philippines and beyond.