Rural Social Enterprise Gathering to Unite Global Changemakers in Sabah

15 August 2025

KOTA KINABALU: A gathering of changemakers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from rural communities, along with other key stakeholders, is set to take place in Sabah from 31 October to 4 November 2025.

The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering, to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), is organised in conjunction with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), which will take place in Taipei, Taiwan, from 27 to 31 October 2025.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), Larainn Jaminih, said the event aims to bring together changemakers from around the world with Sabah’s vibrant rural communities.

“This gathering will serve as a catalyst for hands-on learning, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable solutions to local challenges,” she said.

Larainn added that those interested in attending can find more information or purchase tickets at https://scenic.my/ruralsegathering/.

“The event will be especially valuable for social entrepreneurs, community leaders, and ecosystem supporters, particularly those working in rural contexts, as they will gain direct insights from Sabah’s grassroots innovators and build partnerships to scale their impact,” she said.

Gerry Higgins, Founder and Managing Director of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), described the upcoming gathering in Sabah as an exciting opportunity for rural social enterprises from all continents to learn from one another.

“Rural communities often have more in common with their counterparts in other countries than with nearby urban centres. SEWF is proud to support SCENIC’s innovation and commitment in creating this unique platform for sharing best practices and fostering meaningful exchange,” he said.

Higgins expressed confidence that international participants will be both inspired and informed by the creativity and excellence of Sabah’s rural social enterprises, as well as the state’s supportive policy framework and capacity-building initiatives.

“The connections formed at the Rural Gathering will spark exciting community collaborations in a world where local economies increasingly have global outlooks. Networks such as these are essential to innovation and social change,” he added.

According to SCENIC, the Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is a global platform designed to bring together the rural social enterprise community to connect, collaborate, and share best practices.

The event is hosted by SCENIC, in partnership with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KSTI).

Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with rural social enterprises through learning visits across Sabah, as well as participate in forums, dynamic panel discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

As a side note, following SEWF 2025 in Taipei, delegates will travel to Sabah for the Rural SE Gathering, further solidifying Sabah’s role as a key player in the global movement to advance social enterprise initiatives.

Located in East Malaysia, Sabah is the country’s second-largest state, home to a diverse population of over 3 million people and more than 30 ethnic groups, including the Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Murut.

Despite its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Sabah continues to face economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. However, social enterprises are emerging as innovative, community-led solutions, empowering local people, creating sustainable livelihoods, and using local resources to promote grassroots economic development.

This growing ecosystem has positioned Sabah as a national leader in social enterprise development in Malaysia.