Thanks to sponsors Amplify Alliance Australia, Matt Pfahlert and Meg Allan recently represented ACRE at the 2025 Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and Rural Gathering.
The Social Enterprise World Forum took place in Taipei, Taiwan 27-31 October 2025 in partnership with Co-host Impact Hub Taipei.
SEWF25 is a global hybrid gathering for the social enterprise community, providing space for entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers from around the world to learn, connect and get inspired. It’s a space to explore ground-breaking ideas, connect with purpose-driven leaders and be part of shaping a more sustainable and fairer world.
Matt joined a debate on whether metro or rural hold the true power to drive social change.
Meg Allan joined fellow panelists at SEWF, discussing place-based solutions to building resilient communities. Meg also co-facilitated a workshop with SEWF’s Eadie Pfahlert at the Rural Gathering.
Following the global form, the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering took place in Sabah, Malaysia November 1-4 2025, bringing together the rural social enterprise community from around the world to connect, collaborate and exchange best practice to shape the future of rural social enterprise.
ACRE CEO Matt Pfahlert shares some reflections.
It’s been a huge couple of weeks for social enterprise globally – from the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) in Taipei to the Rural Forum in Sabah, Malaysia. Momentum is building.
What I love about SEWF – Social Enterprise World Forum C.I.C. is how the host country sets the agenda, ensuring the legacy of the event drives long-term impact. Just look at SEWF Brisbane 2022, which helped catalyze a recent $160M commitment to social enterprise and the creation of the Office for Social Impact.
In Taipei, Asian social enterprises showed up with cultural authenticity, excellence, and razor-sharp business models. They are being led by savvy and highly connected social entrepreneurs focussed on a global marketplace. I love this from Helianti Hilman,“go high (highest quality for international markets) or go home.”
“A recurring theme? Women leading the charge. Time and again, we heard stories of women stepping into leadership, weaving trust & ingenuity with fierce commitment & determination, always against the odds. Their ventures are driving deep impact, fostering collaboration, and passing knowledge across generations.”
On a field trip to rural social enterprises like DumoWongi, Kokoria, Pace a Voi, and Tonibung, we saw women-led ventures thriving in tough conditions across Sabah, Borneo. Huge thanks to Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC) – for curating and hosting this powerful experience.
We kept coming back to the 3 principles of the Rural Manifesto, shaped by communities in 40 countries and 100 anchor organisations:
· Build trust first
· Let those closest to the issue have the say
· Co-design the metrics for success
“The next generation is not waiting. They’re not token voices- they’re whip smart, focused, and channeling frustration into constructive leadership, especially in the face of broken systems.”
Special shout-out to Gerry Higgins, the founder and Managing Director for championing social enterprise convening for practitioners since 2008. From an idea into a movement, you and your team do an extraordinary job!
Also thanks to Amplify Alliance Australia for sponsoring me to participate.
“My call to action: To leaders, policymakers, and funders – now is the time to back women-led social enterprises at scale. They break silos, work collaboratively, and drive systemic change for people and the planet.”
Matt Pfahlert