The importance of community ownership, restoring community self esteem, how storytelling can help keep young people in rural areas – and more: the most interesting ideas and insights Pioneers Post heard at the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering 2025.
Campaigners say EU is “moving in reverse” after radical proposal to further limit the reach of flagship corporate sustainability regulations passes key vote in Parliament thanks to support from far-right parties vowing to “stop the Green Deal”.
As the Dutch city of the Hague celebrates 10 years as a self-appointed ‘impact city’ – supporting startups working to make a positive difference – Coos Santing tells us what’s working, what’s not, and why rivalry with other urban centres is softening.
Government says new ‘central point of contact’ for impact economy recognises the ‘untapped potential’ of the country’s social impact sector, while the movement welcomes ‘joined up’ support.
Small rural communities are discovering they can generate sustainable income without compromising their traditions and culture. Visitors from around the world discussed ideas at the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering 2025.
Concerns about virtue-signalling and purpose-washing are widespread – and sometimes justified – in the conference circuit. Big claims or good intentions are no longer enough: sponsors must do all they can to prove their commitment.
SEWF23: Verification scheme launched at this week's Social Enterprise World Forum aims to overcome cultural and language differences, to provide clear identity for businesses focused on positive purpose.
SEWF23: The impact economy is the future. Or is it? In a debate at this week's Social Enterprise World Forum in Amsterdam, progressive economy heavyweights Erinch Sahan and Katie Hill squared up to test the strengths of their theories.
Social enterprise is a significant force in the UK economy – but available data is still incomplete and even contradictory. Tim Thorlby pinpoints three questions to explore, and calls for robust, detailed data-gathering by the government.
Blended finance is no magic wand – and there's little reason to use it in most of Asia, one expert says. Plus, more positive sentiments from speakers at this week's gathering in Spain – but a plea for “more African representation” next time.
SAP, Johnson & Johnson and Siemens among six big-name backers of campaign delivered by SEUK-backed startup Telos – which aims to highlight the “opportunities rather than risks” of supply chains.
Low-key government announcement of latest £350m dormant assets funding allocation falls short of what social investment leaders had been campaigning for, as money will be evenly split between four ‘good causes’.
Fondo de Impacto Social – or Social Impact Fund – is announced at the GSG Global Impact Summit with an aim to further boost Spain’s thriving impact investment market.
Nigerian entrepreneur calls for boldness and ‘deliberate action’ to address inequality – and urges GSG Summit audience to consider how their actions affect Africans, including those fleeing the continent on a ‘journey to nowhere’.
