- SEAM to tackle issues of aid, assets in the social organization habitat
- Partnership aims to motivate marginalised communities, promote sustainable growth
Biji-biji Initiative and Ikea Social Entrepreneurship have announced a partnership and the establishment of Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia ( SEAM ), a program that places a premium on social impact, in an effort to promote positive change and empower communities across Malaysia.
The parties stated in a statement that some social enterprises in Malaysia struggle to access the required resources and focused help systems, which are essential for caring and strengthening the social organization habitat, despite the rapid growth of the sector and its ability to have an impact on various beneficiaries. This difference not only hinders the growth potential of these companies but also limits their capacity to address important social and environmental issues such as poverty, unemployment, social isolation, forest, pollution, waste control, and the effects of climate change, they added.
Social companies play a significant role in this work, focusing on achieving responsible financial returns while addressing these issues. So, recognising the necessity of this problem, Biji-biji Initiative and Ikea Social Entrepreneurship, with help from Ikea Malaysia, have joined forces to create SEAM to bridge this gap and enable social businesses across Malaysia. It empowers social enterprises by improving the lives of marginalized communities and safeguarding the environment by contributing to and enriching the ecosystem through financial support and value sharing.
ment and promote sustainability.
A shared goal at the heart of this partnership is to promote sustainable development in Malaysia and inspire positive change in marginalized communities. 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 think that this program is valuable and capable of meeting 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 expands IKEA Social Entrepreneurship’s efforts to enable social enterprises that are already making social impact to expand 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 support of this new accelerator program is a part of our commitment to make significant changes in Malaysia, according to Malcolm Pruys ( pic ), IKEA Malaysia’s country retail director. By interacting with and connecting with these social enterprises, we not only encourage one another’s learning and exchange, but we also actively contribute to their scaling efforts. We’re eager to see how this partnership develops and to see how the local impact we can all achieve. ”
He continued,” We invite both the government and the private sectors to join us in shaping the future of social entrepreneurship in Malaysia as we embark on this journey. Together, we can foster a culture of partnership across sectors and other entities, promoting shared prosperity for a more sustainable tomorrow. ”