Over the past few years, social enterprises have gained a lot of momentum in the business world. These businesses are unique in that they are focused on addressing social and environmental issues while also generating profits. In an effort to promote sustainability and encourage the growth of social enterprises, an Asia regional workshop on Sharing and Learning Event for Social Enterprises and Financial Sustainability was organized in Cambodia from 25th to 27th April 2023.

The workshop was held in Phnom Penh city and was attended by 33 representatives from different countries. The goal of the event was to provide a platform for these organizations to come together, discuss and learn to promote social enterprises from each other’s experiences. It also aimed to foster a strong coalition of Caritas members for working towards achieving the social enterprise agenda. The workshop focused for empower participants with knowledge-sharing and learning through interactive discussions and also helps to strengthen connections and potential partnerships among Caritas members for future collaboration.

Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director, and Dr. Mukund Deshmukh, Assistant Lead, F&NS program represented Caritas India to share the Indian perspectives on Social Enterprises and Financial Sustainability, especially from the organizational point of view.

Fr. Jolly during the first session focused on Catholic principles and Social Enterprises. Quoting Mathew 25:14.30, he explained the need for a good heart and commitment to achieve the greater good. He shed light on major topics like the Church’s Social Vision, Dignified Life, and Human Dignity, Promotion of Common Good, Promotion of Family & Community, Defending Human Rights, Dignity of work and rights of workers, Options for the poor, and vulnerability, Solidarity and social friendship, Promotion of PEACE, and Care for Creation. He further stated that “In the changing scenario of resource mobilization for social development arm of the catholic church.”

Bishop Kike Figaredo, Chairman of Caritas Cambodia reinforced the need for Caritas to own the evolving changes around us, including technology, markets and sustainability, following the catholic principles of love, compassion, kindness, and social justice, esp. for the most vulnerable.

Dr. Mukund shared the current Social Enterprise Initiatives promoted by Caritas India. He highlighted the approach, target community, with an example of current Social Enterprises with a focus on community. He emphasized Social Entrepreneurship challenges and strategy for sustainability which need to support existing flagship programs and community participation through an inclusive approach.

“The global vision of Caritas Australia, the bigger picture of the start-up ecosystem and social enterprise, and an outlook on the funding scenario,” shared Ms Leigh Mathews, Impact Director. She focused on the evolution of the donors like DFAT are undergoing and how it is necessary for all of us as the Caritas family to evolve alongside, with a strong focus on the paradigm of Laudato Si.

The three days session bought out the need to treat people (men and women) as equal and ensure that women have the deserved space and representation in all entrepreneurial roles. The speakers spoke about the need to ensure proper recognition of low wages of labor, the need to ensure digital training for youth and access to legal care.

The final Caritas definition of social enterprises was achieved after a common understanding and the combined affirmation of the following statement:
“Social Enterprise is the sustainable and innovative response to the church’s inclusive and holistic social responsibility by engaging in ethical, legal, and revenue-generation activities to serve marginalized communities and the common good effectively.”

The groups also provided their inputs for a set of key commitments/non-negotiable/codes for social enterprises that they would want each Caritas to follow at the macro and commit to improvise/ contextualize and improve for use in their own respective countries.

The final wrap-up sessions were covered by the reflections from Caritas Asia, Caritas Australia Cambodia and a vote of thanks. Overall, the workshop was a huge success, providing a valuable platform for the member organizations to come together and discuss ways to promote sustainability through social enterprises.

It is clear that there is a growing interest in this field, and we can expect to see more and more social enterprises emerging in the coming years as people look for ways to make a positive impact on the world while also generating profits.