Just days after announcing the first cohort of the Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia (SEAM) programme, we welcomed the 10 selected social enterprises in person for the very first time at the SEAM Opening Summit on the 8th September – 10th September 2024. The summit marked an official start of our year-long journey together, beginning with three days in person gathering centred on collaboration, connection, and togetherness.
Building trust and connection
From the beginning of the SEAM Opening Summit, we focused on building a strong foundation of trust, reflection, and mutual support. Collectively, we came together not just as individual entrepreneurs, but as a community, eager to learn from one another and grow together. The summit opened with a powerful moment of vulnerability as we each shared our personal strengths, challenges, and unique experiences. This openness created a space filled with humility, understanding, and a genuine sense of connection – a reminder that SEAM is not just about individual progress, but about coming together as a collective force for positive change.
Nurturing leadership and well-being for sustainable impact
As we explored our shared journey, we also reflected on the balance between leadership and personal well-being, recognising how essential it is to care for ourselves while pursuing our mission-driven work. Many of us have felt the weight of burnout, driven by our dedication in making a difference. This reflection highlighted that nurturing our well-being is not just a personal need, but a foundation for sustainable success. By prioritising self-care, we strengthen our ability to drive long-lasting impact, ensuring that the positive changes we aim to create in our communities are both meaningful and enduring.
A memorable exchange with IKEA co-workers
On the final day, the cohort connected with IKEA Malaysia and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship representatives in a meaningful exchange of stories and experiences. During the networking lunch, social enterprises shared their initiatives and advocated for the communities they are empowering. The discussions not only broadened the perspectives of both sides, but also deepened the bond between the enterprises and IKEA’s values of sustainability and community impact. The programme’s advisory members were present as well, providing valuable insights and exploring how ecosystem players, including the social enterprises, IKEA, and other partners, can collaborate more effectively to drive positive change together.
Areas to strengthen our collective efforts
To enhance our collective efforts, we can focus on several key areas to amplify our impact. Structured peer learning sessions could complement the mentorship in the SEAM programme, allowing us to share personal insights for mutual growth. Exploring collaborative projects, such as collective campaigns, or shared marketing platforms, to drive our progress together. Additionally, by sharing knowledge on sustainability practices–whether in supply chains, resource management, or community engagement–we can refine our own models while contributing to a larger, more sustainable ecosystem.
The strengths of co-creation
Co-creation, a central theme of the SEAM Opening Summit, emphasises the importance of collaboratively developing solutions by involving diverse perspectives. This approach allows us to leverage collective resources, combining strengths in areas like community engagement and sustainability to amplify our impact. It also helps identify resource gaps, enabling us to provide mutual support through shared challenges, mentorship, and connections. By fostering collaboration, co-creation drives social innovation, unlocking new possibilities, supporting collective initiatives, and enhancing our ability to secure funding for projects with greater reach and impact.
What’s Next?
The 10 selected social enterprises are beginning a year-long journey with SEAM, focused on scaling their impact and promoting inclusive growth. Through SEAM, we aim to empower these enterprises through personalised guidance, business support, capacity building, and access to funding opportunities, with IKEA co-workers acting as thought partners, working alongside them to refine strategies and address specific challenges. This collaboration aims to foster learning and growth, creating lasting change in the communities they serve.
The social enterprises will also have access to masterclasses and peer learning sessions tailored to their specific challenges and needs. These curated learning opportunities will equip them with the skills and knowledge to strengthen their efforts and scale their initiatives. Additionally, they will collaborate within their cohort and with stakeholders in the social enterprise ecosystem, sharing resources and best practices to amplify their collective impact and contribute to the growth of the social enterprise sector in Malaysia.
Given the diversity of challenges the cohort faces, the next 12 months will be a significant journey for these 10 social enterprises as they navigate both challenges and opportunities. With the support of SEAM’s unique ecosystem, we will be learning and adapting together. Our collective journey is one of empowerment, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating a sustainable future for communities that are marginalised in Malaysia.
