www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative-september-2024-meeting/">2024 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting, hosted by the Clinton Foundation, brings together leaders from government, business, philanthropy, and civil society to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. This year's edition focused on mobilizing action to address global issues such as climate change, inequality, and social justice, emphasizing the role of cross-sector partnerships in driving sustainable solutions. The in-person audience was made up of 200 members of the CGI community, comprised of Fortune 500 business leaders, leading philanthropists, heads of state, and local grassroots community leaders.
© ILO
The session titled "Greenhouse: Supporting the Social Enterprise Ecosystem" highlighted the growing importance of social enterprises in the global economy. Social enterprises, which prioritize social and environmental missions alongside financial sustainability, are rapidly gaining traction. They now make up approximately three percent of businesses worldwide, generating over two trillion USD in annual revenue and creating more than 200 million jobs. The session explored how governments, corporations, and philanthropic organizations can partner with social enterprises to scale impactful solutions that put people and the planet first.
The panel, led by Mr Raj Kumar, President and Editor-in-Chief of Devex, brought together leading voices in social entrepreneurship and impact investment, each contributing unique perspectives on scaling social enterprises for greater societal impact:
- Ms Ragina Arrington, CEO, Clinton Foundation: CGI University: Ms Arrington emphasized the need for educational platforms that empower young social entrepreneurs with the skills and networks necessary to scale their initiatives. She highlighted CGI University's role in supporting student-led social impact projects.
- Mr David Heath, Co-Founder and CEO of Bombas: Mr Heath shared Bombas' journey from a start-up to a market leader in socially responsible business. Known for its "one purchased, one donated" model, Bombas has donated over 75 million items to those in need. Heath discussed the challenges and opportunities of building a business that integrates giving back into its core operations.
- Ms Aurora James, Founder of Brother Vellies and 15 Percent Pledge: Ms James address critical health disparities and improve access to life-saving technologies in underserved communities.
- Ms Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection: Johnson shared insights from her diverse ventures in media, hospitality, and impact investing. She underscored the importance of inclusive business practices and investing in enterprises led by women and people of color.
- Ms Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission: Ms Nsanzabaganwa highlighted the African Union's efforts to support social enterprises across Africa, particularly those addressing youth unemployment and gender inequality. African Union ten-year strategy on the Social and Solidarity Economy, she called for stronger policy frameworks and investment in skills development to enable social enterprises to thrive.
- Mr Sam Teicher, Co-founder and Chief Reef Officer, Coral Vita: Mr Teicher discussed Coral Vita's innovative approach to reef restoration, which combines cutting-edge science with scalable business models. He illustrated how social enterprises play a pivotal role in environmental conservation, particularly amidst climate change.
- Ms Alexandra van der Ploeg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP: Ms Van der Ploeg emphasized the role of corporate social responsibility in supporting social enterprises through technology and funding partnerships. She shared examples of SAP's collaborations with social entrepreneurs to leverage digital solutions for societal challenges.
ILO DG Mr Gilbert Houngbo's remarks focused on the transformative potential of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted that SSE entities-such as cooperatives, mutual societies, and social enterprises-prioritize social and environmental impact alongside economic viability, embodying the triple bottom line approach: people, planet, and profit.
Mr Houngbo emphasized that the SSE plays a crucial role in localizing the SDGs by fostering community-led initiatives that directly address local challenges. By integrating decent work principles, the SSE empowers marginalized groups, promotes gender equality, and ensures that economic activities are socially and environmentally responsible. This community-driven approach enables SSE entities to tailor solutions that meet local needs, contributing directly to the SDGs at a grassroots level.
The ILO is committed to creating enabling environments for SSE entities through policy advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. Mr Houngbo noted that these efforts are essential for scaling SSE impact, helping to formalize informal work, improve labor market inclusivity, and enhance social protection. He called for deeper collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society to unlock the full potential of the SSE, particularly in sectors that serve women, youth, and marginalized communities.
Mr Houngbo concluded by inviting all stakeholders to advance the SSE agenda, highlighting that scaling these models is key to delivering on the SDGs, building resilient communities, and fostering economies that work for everyone-not just the few.
The social and solidarity economy can play an essential role in fostering inclusive & sustainable economies, and achieving the #SDGs. By focusing on the local economic and social fabric, SSE entities provide stability and empowerment to workers, especially in fragile contexts.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization(ILO)
The "Greenhouse: Supporting the Social Enterprise Ecosystem" panel demonstrated the vast potential of social enterprises to drive transformative societal change. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative funding models, social enterprises are not only addressing urgent social and environmental challenges but also contributing to a more inclusive global economy. The ILO's engagement in this conversation underscores its commitment to promoting decent work and sustainable development through the Social and Solidarity Economy.
