RURAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE GATHERING 2025  SABAH CREATIVE ECONOMY AND INNOVATION CENTRE  & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WORLD FORUM

 


 
KOTA KINABALU: A gathering involving changemakers, entrepreneurs and representatives of rural communities among other personalities are set to take place here in Sabah from Oct 31 to Nov 4, 2025
 
Scheduled to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre, this Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is held in conjunction with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) which takes place in Taipei, Taiwan from Oct 27 to Oct 31, 2025.
 
Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) Chief Executive Officer Viviantie Sarjuni said this Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is designed to unite changemakers from across the globe in Sabah’s vibrant rural communities.
 
“This gathering will catalyse hands-on learning, cross‑sector collaboration and sustainable solutions for local challenges,” she said.
 
She said those who wish to be part of this event can get more information or purchase tickets at https://scenic.my/ruralsegathering/, with early bird rates available until June 21, and standard rates available up to Oct 15, 2025.
 
“Those who would mostly benefit from this event are social entrepreneurs, community leaders and ecosystem supporters, particularly those working in rural contexts, as they gain direct insights from Sabah’s on‑the‑ground innovators and build partnerships to scale impact,” said Viviantie.
 
Gerry Higgins,  Founder and Managing Director of Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) said this upcoming gathering in Sabah is an exciting opportunity for rural social enterprises from every continent to enhance their understanding of the approaches and solutions delivered by rural communities in Sabah and around the world. 
 
“Rural communities often have more in common with their counterparts in other countries than with their urban neighbours, so SEWF is proud to support the innovation and commitment of SCENIC to create this opportunity for exchange of best practice and learning,” he said. 
 
SEWF is confident that international participants will be inspired and informed by the rural social enterprise creativity and excellence in Sabah, and by its supportive policy and capacity building systems, he said. 
 
 
Higgins said the network connections formed at the Rural Gathering will lead to exciting community connections in a world where local economies can have an international outlook and networks are critical to innovation and social change.
 
According to SCENIC, this Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is a global event bringing together the rural social enterprise community to connect, collaborate and exchange best practices. 
 
This event is hosted by Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) in partnership with Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KSTI) 
 
It would allow participants the opportunity to engage directly with rural social enterprises through a Learning Visit to rural social enterprises in Sabah and a forum with dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
 
Side note, after the SEWF 2025 in Taipei, delegates will travel to Sabah for the Rural SE Gathering, further solidifying the state’s role as a key player in advancing social enterprise initiatives. 
 
Sabah, located in east Malaysia, is the second-largest state in Malaysia and is home to a diverse population of over 3 million people comprising more than 30 ethnic groups, including the native Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Murut. 
 
Despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, Sabah faces economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. 
 
Social enterprises are growing in Sabah as innovative solutions to address these challenges by empowering communities, creating sustainable livelihoods, and leveraging local resources to promote grassroots economic development. 
 
This ecosystem has positioned Sabah as a leader in social enterprise growth in Malaysia.