"Social Entrepreneurship Herald"
December 2025
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Social Entrepreneurship Herald
December 2025 Newsletter
Reflecting on 2025: Lessons and Aspirations for Social Entrepreneurship.
Dear Social Entrepreneurship Enthusiasts,
welcome to the December 2025 edition of The Social Entrepreneurship Herald! As the year comes to a close, we turn our focus to Reflecting on 2025: Lessons and Aspirations for Social Entrepreneurship, a chance to pause, take stock of the incredible journeys we’ve witnessed, and chart a course for the year ahead.
Throughout 2025, social enterprises have broken new ground, tackling urgent global challenges with creativity, resilience, and impact. From bold innovations to quiet, steady transformations, these ventures have shown us what’s possible when purpose and entrepreneurship meet.
The featured article, “2025’s Greatest Success Stories: What Can We Learn for 2026?,” highlights some of the year’s most inspiring achievements and the key lessons they hold for the future. Together, we’ll explore how these successes can guide us towards even greater progress in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable world in 2026.
2025’s Greatest Success Stories: What Can We Learn for 2026?🚀
A Year of Breakthroughs in Social Entrepreneurship.
A Year of Breakthroughs in Social Entrepreneurship.
As 2025 draws to a close, the world of social entrepreneurship stands at an exciting crossroads. Over the past twelve months, we have witnessed bold experiments, powerful collaborations, and breakthrough innovations redefining how purpose-driven enterprises can transform societies and economies. From climate-focused ventures to community-driven finance models, 2025 has been a year in which social enterprises not only thrived but also demonstrated that scalable impact is both possible and necessary.
The central question now is: what can we learn from these success stories to guide us into 2026?
In the bustling streets of London, millions of coffee cups are discarded daily, creating mountains of organic waste. Bio-bean, a UK-based social enterprise, saw an opportunity in this everyday problem. By collecting coffee grounds from cafes and industrial suppliers, they transform what would be waste into advanced biofuels and biochemicals. Today, Bio-bean not only helps cut landfill emissions but also generates sustainable energy products, creating local jobs and demonstrating how circular economy principles can thrive at scale.
Across rural communities in Latin America and Africa, organic waste from livestock and crops often goes unused, while energy access and soil fertility remain persistent challenges. Sistema.bio stepped in with a simple yet transformative solution, biodigesters that convert this organic waste into clean biogas for cooking and electricity, while producing nutrient-rich fertilizer for agriculture. Communities have begun to see kitchens lit with clean energy, fields nourished naturally, and greenhouse gas emissions reduced. This ripple effect demonstrates how technology, when thoughtfully combined with community-centered practices, can turn everyday waste into a source of sustainable opportunity, benefiting both people and the environment.
Lessons for 2026:
Circular and regenerative solutions can scale effectively when they combine innovative technology with community engagement.
Environmental interventions that generate co-benefits such as energy access, agricultural productivity, or job creation, achieve greater long-term impact.
Cross-sector collaboration between startups, governments, and local communities is key to amplifying climate and sustainability outcomes.
Health Innovations: From Access to Equity.
Health Innovations: From Access to Equity.
In 2025, social enterprises showed how healthcare innovation can go beyond traditional service delivery to tackle deep-rooted inequities. Zipline transformed medical logistics in Rwanda and Ghana by using drones to deliver blood, vaccines, and essential medicines to remote communities. What once took hours of travel now arrives in minutes, ensuring life-saving care reaches the most isolated populations.
Meanwhile, d.light has improved health outcomes in off-grid communities across Africa and Asia by providing solar-powered lanterns and clean cooking solutions. These products reduce respiratory illnesses caused by kerosene and open new opportunities for learning and productivity after dark, particularly benefiting women and children. Both ventures illustrate that technology, when paired with thoughtful design and community engagement, can dramatically expand access to essential health services and empower marginalized groups.
Lessons for 2026:
Health-focused social enterprises must address systemic inequities, not just service delivery.
Combining technology, education, and community engagement increases sustainability and impact.
Partnerships with governments and health systems are critical to scaling life-saving interventions.
Education and Skills: Building the Workforce of the Future.
Education and Skills: Building the Workforce of the Future.
In 2025, social enterprises showed how education and skills development can transform lives and communities. Across Africa, Andela has been identifying and training talented software developers, connecting them with global tech companies for remote work opportunities. By combining mentorship, hands-on training, and real-world projects, Andela is closing the digital skills gap while creating sustainable pathways to employment.
Meanwhile, in India, Pratham Education Foundation is helping millions of children in underserved communities gain access to foundational literacy and STEM education through technology-enabled learning programs. Leveraging innovative teaching methods and community volunteers, Pratham is preparing the next generation for future careers and bridging long-standing gaps in opportunity and equity.
Lessons for 2026:
Technology can be a powerful equalizer in education, but accessibility must remain central.
Linking learning programs to real employment opportunities ensures long-term impact.
Collaboration between social enterprises, governments, and local communities strengthens reach and sustainability.
Finance and Inclusion: Redefining Economic Empowerment.
Finance and Inclusion: Redefining Economic Empowerment.
In 2025, social enterprises showed that financial inclusion is about more than just access, it’s about empowering people to make informed decisions. In East Africa, M-Pesa expanded its mobile money and microloan services to millions of previously unbanked individuals. By integrating financial literacy programs alongside digital banking, M-Pesa enabled communities to save, invest, and build sustainable livelihoods, transforming access into meaningful economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, in South America, Kiva connected communities with crowdfunding opportunities to directly fund small businesses and renewable energy projects. Farmers, artisans, and local entrepreneurs could now raise capital to grow their ventures or invest in clean energy, giving individuals ownership over solutions that impact both the economy and the environment. These initiatives demonstrate how thoughtfully designed financial services can expand opportunity, foster inclusion, and drive systemic change.
Lessons for 2026:
Financial inclusion must combine access with education and literacy to empower users.
Community-driven finance can democratize capital while amplifying social and environmental impact.
Ethical, transparent design in fintech solutions is critical to building trust and sustainability.
Technology for Good: Ethical Innovation at Scale.
Technology for Good: Ethical Innovation at Scale.
In 2025, social enterprises demonstrated how technology can drive impact while prioritizing ethics and equity. Benetech, a nonprofit tech organization, expanded its suite of digital accessibility tools, helping libraries, schools, and nonprofits provide accessible reading materials to people with visual impairments. By combining innovative software with training and support, Benetech empowered organizations that often lack resources to serve all members of their communities, showing how technology can level the playing field.
Meanwhile, Ushahidi, a Kenya-based social enterprise, leveraged its open-source crisis-mapping platform to help communities respond to disasters and track human rights violations. NGOs and local governments used Ushahidi’s tools to collect and visualize real-time data, enabling faster response, better resource allocation, and more transparent decision-making. These initiatives highlight how ethical, open-source technology can democratize access, amplify impact, and safeguard vulnerable communities.
Lessons for 2026:
Ethical innovation is essential to prevent reinforcing systemic inequalities.
Open-source solutions can democratize technology access and foster collective impact.
Supporting smaller organizations is as important as scaling large solutions.
Community-Led Impact: Local Voices, Global Reach.
Community-Led Impact: Local Voices, Global Reach.
In 2025, IndigiTECH, an Indigenous-led organization, launched its 28-week online mentorship program aimed at providing Indigenous individuals with skills in web development, UX design, client care, and business marketing. The program not only offered free mentorship but also provided participants with laptops and digital art pads, as well as assistance with nutrition and childcare, ensuring accessibility for all. This initiative exemplifies how community-driven tech education can bridge the digital divide and empower Indigenous communities to thrive in the digital economy.
Urban Roots, a community-based organization in Austin, Texas, continued its mission to empower youth through urban farming and food justice education. The organization engaged over 400 youth in hands-on farming experiences, leadership development, and food advocacy, while also providing paid internships to youth participants. Urban Roots distributed nearly 26,000 servings of fresh produce to the community, demonstrating the profound impact of youth-led initiatives on local food systems and community resilience.
Lessons for 2026:
Community Ownership: authentic community leadership is essential for sustainable and impactful social transformation.
Local Relevance: scaling impact doesn't always require global expansion; replicability in local contexts can be equally powerful.
Cultural Respect: integrating cultural heritage into innovation strengthens the legitimacy and sustainability of social ventures.
Public-Private Partnerships: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.
Public-Private Partnerships: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.
In 2025, public-private partnerships (PPPs) played a pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs, particularly in emerging markets. These collaborations combined government support with private-sector leadership to provide women with the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in business. Such initiatives have been instrumental in fostering economic resilience and inclusive growth, contributing significantly to poverty reduction.
Lessons for 2026:
Collaboration is Essential: strategic partnerships between public and private sectors are crucial for addressing complex social challenges.
Trust and Transparency: building trust through transparent governance and shared metrics enhances the effectiveness of collaborations.
Leveraging Strengths: each sector brings unique strengths to the table; harnessing these can amplify impact and drive systemic change.
Looking Ahead: Aspirations for 2026.
Looking Ahead: Aspirations for 2026.
If 2025 has shown us anything, it is that the potential of social entrepreneurship is limited only by imagination and collective will. As we look towards 2026, several aspirations stand out:
Deepening Equity and Inclusion: ensure that marginalized voices are centered, not just included.
Scaling Responsibly: growth should be driven by impact, not just by numbers.
Investing in Collaboration: move from isolated projects to systemic, multi-sector partnerships.
Harnessing Technology Ethically: leverage AI, blockchain, and other emerging tools responsibly and inclusively.
Embedding Climate Resilience: make sustainability an integral part of all social enterprise models.
2025 was a landmark year for social entrepreneurship. The success stories we’ve seen are more than inspirational anecdotes, they are roadmaps for what is possible when innovation meets purpose. As we enter 2026, the challenge is not just to celebrate these wins but to learn from them, replicate their best practices, and push the boundaries of what social enterprises can achieve.
In reflecting on 2025, we see a world where social enterprises are no longer fringe actors but central to global problem-solving. The aspiration for 2026 is clear, to transform lessons into action, and action into lasting change.
Upcoming Events📅:
25 December
International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship
International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship
and Innovation (ICSEI)
and Innovation (ICSEI)
- Washington D.C., USA
- Barcelona, Spain
27-28 Decvember
IInternational Conference on Social Entrepreneurship
and Innovation (ICSEI)
and Innovation (ICSEI)
- Vienna, Austria
News Briefs📰:
On December 3, MERSE hosted a webinar on Rural Social Innovation through Cooperatives, organized by Coompanion and Ruralia. The session highlighted innovative approaches to rural development, emphasizing the role of cooperatives in fostering social and economic impact. As part of the final events of the European Year of Cooperatives, participants explored practical examples, best practices, and strategies for strengthening cooperative initiatives, showcasing how collaborative models can drive sustainable change in rural communities.
On December 4–5, Auckland, New Zealand, hosted the International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICSEI), bringing together scholars, practitioners, and changemakers from around the world to explore cutting-edge ideas and solutions at the intersection of business and social impact. Organized by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, the conference featured digital presentations and discussions on a wide range of topics, including micro-financing, poverty alleviation, education and literacy, corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and the role of NGOs in economic development. Special emphasis was placed on diversity, multiculturalism, women and minority entrepreneurship, and the use of technology and innovation to address pressing social challenges. With themes spanning health and bioethics, human rights, and entrepreneurial opportunities for marginalized communities, ICSEI 2025 served as a global platform for advancing knowledge, sharing best practices, and inspiring collaborative action towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
On December 5, Ottawa, Canada, hosted the International Conference on Entrepreneurship, Technology, Innovation and Regional Economic Development, bringing together a vibrant community of global scholars, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Organized by ISSER, the event served as a dynamic platform for sharing groundbreaking ideas, fostering collaboration, and exploring the intersection of innovation and regional economic growth. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, built meaningful connections with industry leaders, and discovered new opportunities for advancing both research and practice. The conference stood out as a milestone gathering that not only highlighted emerging trends in entrepreneurship and technology but also strengthened global networks committed to shaping the future of economic development.
On December 11–12, New York, United States and Goa, India, hosted the International Conference on Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICSEI), bringing together researchers, practitioners, and changemakers from around the globe to explore innovative solutions for social impact. Organized by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, the conference featured digital presentations on a wide array of topics, including micro-financing, education and literacy, poverty alleviation strategies, corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and the role of NGOs in economic development. Sessions also highlighted diversity, women and minority entrepreneurship, technology-driven social enterprises, and strategies to address social challenges through innovation. ICSEI 2025 provided a platform for exchanging knowledge, showcasing best practices, and fostering collaboration to advance equality, community engagement, and sustainable development.
*Our Book Club📚:
This December, we recommend “Humankind: A Hopeful History” by Rutger Bregman. A powerful and uplifting exploration that challenges the notion of human selfishness and instead highlights our deep capacity for cooperation, compassion, and resilience. Drawing on history, science, and inspiring real-world examples, Bregman offers a hopeful reminder that progress is possible when we trust in one another. As social entrepreneurs reflect on the lessons of 2025 and set aspirations for 2026, this book provides timely inspiration, showing that the foundation for building a more just and sustainable world begins with believing in humanity’s inherent goodness.
Thank you for being a part of the Social Entrepreneurship Research Institute community.
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Each story from 2025 reminds us that impact is not built alone, but in community. As we carry these lessons forward, may we continue to nourish hope, spark innovation, and co-create a more just and sustainable world,
Dr. Agatha K. Rokicki, D.B.A., B.S.
© Social Entrepreneurship Research Institute.
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