SEWF23: Verification scheme launched at this week's Social Enterprise World Forum aims to overcome cultural and language differences, to provide clear identity for businesses focused on positive purpose.

A new brand and verification process to unite the social enterprise movement across the world was launched this morning at the Social Enterprise World Forum, which is taking place this week in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Announcing the new Social Enterprise Verification mark, Helene Malandain, chair of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), said that while SEWF and others used the term ‘social enterprise’, others, including indigenous communities, also ran businesses focused on purpose – and had been doing so for thousands of years.

“Beyond terminology, what brings us together is our values and principles,” she said. “An opportunity arose to create a common identity that brings us together under these shared goals.”

Beyond terminology, what brings us together is our values and principles

Building on a verification process that SEWF had already been running for social enterprises, Malandain explained SEWF had carried out research during the past year. What emerged was a new logo, highlighting ‘people + planet first’ which will be awarded to enterprises that meet SEWF’s verification standards. 

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