Study of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystems in South East and East Asian Countries – Country Analysis: Republic of the Philippines

This Philippine country analysis is part of a series on the social entrepreneurship and social innovation ecosystems in Asia countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. The comparative study provides a global analytical framework on characteristics, trends, challenges and lessons learnt for building a supportive social enterprise ecosystem that leads social innovation in the different focus countries. According to the report, the social entrepreneurship and enterprise sector in the Philippines is currently undergoing a transition with more and more young entrepreneurs stepping in to start social enterprises. The lack of business skills—such as expertise in accounting, tax regulations, value chain development, organizational management, etc.—is one of the most common challenges identified by social enterprises and intermediaries. To respond to this demand, a number of organizations have started providing trainings in these areas. Also, there is generally a lack of financial support for social enterprises. Thus, to mitigate this challenge, the report proposes sharing information and deals among investors in order to bring in new investors.