Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia: Empowering social entrepreneurs to drive positive change in Malaysia

• SEAM to address issues of support, resources in the social enterprise ecosystem
• Partnership aims to empower marginalised communities, promote sustainable development 

In a move to catalyse positive change and empower communities across Malaysia, Biji-biji Initiative and Ikea Social Entrepreneurship have announced a partnership and the creation of Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia (SEAM), aimed at fostering innovative and sustainable solutions that prioritise social impact.

In a statement, the parties stated that despite the rapid growth of the social enterprise sector in Malaysia, and its ability to generate impact for various beneficiaries, many social enterprises in Malaysia face difficulties in accessing the necessary resources and focused support systems that are vital for nurturing and strengthening the social enterprise ecosystem. This gap not only hinders the growth potential of these enterprises but also limits their capacity to address critical social and environmental issues such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, deforestation, pollution, waste management, and the effects of climate change, they added.

Social enterprises are instrumental in this effort, focusing on solving these challenges while seeking sustainable financial returns. Thus, recognising the urgency of this challenge, Biji-biji Initiative and Ikea Social Entrepreneurship, with support from Ikea Malaysia, have joined forces to create SEAM to bridge this gap and empower social enterprises across Malaysia. By contributing to and enriching the ecosystem through financial support and value sharing, it empowers social enterprises to better serve and uplift marginalised communities, as well as safeguard the environment and promote sustainability. 

At the heart of this partnership lies a shared vision to catalyse positive change in empowering marginalised communities and drive sustainable development in Malaysia. Juliana, the CEO of Biji-biji Initiative, envisions SEAM not only strengthening the social enterprise ecosystem in Malaysia, but also fostering a harmonious, symbiotic relationship among social enterprises, the government, corporate or private bodies, and grassroots players. 

“We believe in the value of this programme and its capacity to address the urgent needs of the ecosystem,” she asserts, adding that she hopes to create a collaborative environment where each stakeholder contributes synergistically, ultimately maximising social impact and creating a more inclusive society.

“SEAM continues IKEA Social Entrepreneurship's work to enable social enterprises already working to create social impact to scale their efforts. We’re thrilled to launch a new programme in a new country with the Biji-biji Initiative. Together, we’re not just launching a programme; we’re continuing a movement that champions innovation, collaboration, and social impact in Malaysia”, said Åsa Skogström Feldt, managing director of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.

“Our contribution to this new accelerator programme is part of our commitment to drive meaningful change across Malaysia, said Malcolm Pruys (pic), country retail director of IKEA Malaysia. “By engaging and connecting our co-workers with these social enterprises, we not only foster mutual learning and exchange but also contribute actively to their scaling efforts. We're excited to see how this partnership unfolds and to witness the collective local impact we can achieve together.”

He added “As we embark on this journey, we invite both government sectors and private sectors to join us in shaping the future of social entrepreneurship in Malaysia. Together, we can foster a culture of partnership across sectors and other entities, promoting shared prosperity for a more sustainable tomorrow.”