Social enterprises advocate Marie Liza Dacanay has spent over three decades championing social entrepreneurship, positioning social enterprises as powerful catalysts for poverty alleviation, inclusive growth and sustainable development.
As the founding president of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), she has positioned the organization as a regional leader in rallying for transformative change and bridging the gaps between government, business, civil society, and academia to empower marginalized communities.
“Social enterprises are more than businesses—they are lifelines that empower marginalized communities to rise above poverty and build a sustainable future,” she said.
MSME empowerment
Dacanay’s leadership is deeply rooted in her advocacy for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and social enterprises as key drivers of inclusive development.
Her efforts have established a robust ecosystem where social enterprises address structural inequalities, uplift marginalized groups, and tackle systemic poverty.
ISEA’s mission extends to advocating for marginalized groups, including women, small-scale producers, and the LGBT community.
“Inclusive growth begins when we bridge the gaps between the public, private, and civil society sectors, enabling social enterprises to thrive as drivers of systemic change. True empowerment means creating opportunities for women, small-scale producers, and the LGBTQIA+ community to lead, thrive, and contribute to a more equitable society,” Dacanay said.
Through platforms like women’s empowerment, livelihoods and food in agricultural value chains, ISEA promotes benchmarks and guidelines for transformational partnerships that empower small-scale producers.
Dacanay’s work also bridges the digital divide through technological innovations such as community networks, while encouraging youth engagement in rural revitalization and social entrepreneurship.
Systematic support
At the core of ISEA’s advocacy is the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Bill, a legislative framework designed to institutionalize government support for social enterprises.
“The PRESENT Bill is not just a policy—it is a promise to institutionalize support for social enterprises, enabling them to unlock their full potential and create lasting impact,” Dacanay said.
“With systematic support, we can scale up the impact of social enterprises to achieve widespread poverty reduction. Imagine what could be achieved if the government aligns its resources and policies with the growth of this sector,” she said.
The bill includes provisions for hybrid financing models—combining grants with non-collateralized loans—capacity-building programs, and tax incentives to boost the sector’s impact.
Dacanay’s leadership in multi-stakeholder consultations and policy research has catalyzed the creation of the PRESENT Coalition, a driving force for enacting this crucial legislation.
National impact
Despite the absence of systemic support, social enterprises across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have consistently demonstrated their resilience and potential to alleviate poverty.
ISEA’s ongoing studies reveal significant contributions, underscoring the urgent need for a national framework like the PRESENT Bill to unlock their full potential.
On a regional scale, Dacanay leads efforts like the CRESCENT Initiative through Catalyst 2030, which focuses on food security, climate resilience, digital transformation, and community-based health.
Her work with the Social and Community Enterprise Constituency under the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development further highlights her commitment to inclusive recovery and accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Leader, educator
As a mentor and educator, Dacanay has shaped the next generation of social entrepreneurs. She was a program director at the Asian Institute of Management and later a faculty member at Ateneo de Manila University, where she co-developed pioneering programs in social enterprise education.
Her scholarly contributions include publications such as Social Enterprises as Game Changers in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Social Enterprises with the Poor as Primary Stakeholders.
These works provide critical insights into social enterprises’ transformative impact on marginalized communities.