PEP

ASEAN backs two social enterprises

DT · Oct 3, 2026, 3:33 AM

DENISE Sze, marketing lead of MAGWAI (right), together with Nerissa Buarao of the MAGWAI sales team (left) and Van Thi Loan, founder of Real Bean Coffee (center), showcase their products — sustainable personal care products and Vietnamese coffee — to visitors at the MSME Summit. — Photograph courtesy of ASEAN Foundation

Two social enterprises from the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) Elevate were featured at the ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum and MSME Summit 2026 in Manila, highlighting community-based businesses seeking to expand across the region.

MAGWAI, a Filipino-founded sustainable personal care enterprise, and Vietnam-based Real Bean Coffee were selected following their progress under the ASEAN SEDP Elevate mentorship program. Their participation gave them opportunities to showcase their products and connect with investors, business partners and regional markets.

Launched in 2026, ASEAN SEDP Elevate connects 17 alumni from 10 ASEAN member states with experts through tailored tracks covering market access, investment readiness, social impact, artificial intelligence and customized support.

The program includes one-on-one mentorship, business matchmaking and SAP masterclasses on using AI for market access, investment readiness and social impact measurement.

“Asean SEDP is part of our commitment to fostering a more connected and inclusive ASEAN ecosystem where social enterprises can collaborate and access opportunities beyond their home markets,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation.

The initiative builds on the four-year ASEAN SEDP, which has supported 401 social entrepreneurs from 100 social enterprises across 10 ASEAN member states. The program says its participants’ solutions have collectively reached more than 6.2 million people.

As ASEAN chair for 2026, the Philippines hosted the forum to strengthen links among social enterprises, governments, businesses and investors in the region.