A Vision in Motion – FSSI’s Road to Action in 2025
Elvin Ivan Y. Uy
FSSI Chairperson
Dear Colleagues,
I hope 2025 is progressing as a year of growth and development. As we move through the year, we continue to navigate a period of transition, influenced by international policies and the political tensions related to the upcoming mid-term elections in the country.
During such times, it is often the marginalized and vulnerable who experience the most impact. The work of development has to continue. Change, after all, tends to emerge not in times of ease but that of challenge.
It is with this awareness of the work that has to be done that we, at FSSI, lay out our road to action in 2025 and the years to come.
For the past three decades, FSSI has supported micro, small, and medium sized social enterprises by providing financial resources, technical expertise, and capacity building opportunities. As we mark our 30th anniversary this year, we begin the implementation of our new five-year Strategic Plan, aiming to grow a new generation of social enterprises that can create measurable impact across the triple bottom lines of social, environmental, and economic outcomes.
This plan also includes strategic interventions designed to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization, allowing us to continue and achieve our mission. The recent reduction in international aid has emphasized the importance for organizations in both business and civil society to focus on tangible, sustainable actions that improve people’s lives and protect the environment, while also ensuring the financial stability necessary to continuously carry out these efforts. FSSI’s triple bottom line (3BL) strategy has guided us and our partners, toward sustainability amidst these evolving socio-economic conditions.
Based on extensive studies, discussions, and consultations with stakeholders, our strategic plan now prioritizes two sectors: social enterprises involved in agriculture and those led by or are owned by women.
In this regard, we are pleased to introduce two new women social enterprise partners of FSSI. First, Tacloban Native Delicacies and Handicraft Producers Association – Product 8, Inc. (TNDHPA-PRODUCT-8), which features native food delicacies and handicrafts from local suppliers in Leyte province. Our support will provide additional working capital to sustain its operations and meet increasing demand, reinforcing the local supply chain and promoting regional goods.
The second new partner, Holy Spirit Dental Clinic (HSDC), meanwhile, is the first social enterprise in the medical services sector that FSSI has supported recently. Established in 1997 in Malolos, Bulacan, HSDC has long served the dental needs of its community. With our support, they will expand their services, improve their facilities, and purchase additional equipment to serve more patients, including children with special needs, and provide access to quality dental care.
Recognizing the growing need for clean and affordable energy, FSSI is also exploring support for small solar energy enterprises (SEEs) through a special financing window. A market study is underway to assess financing options for these enterprises, as well as rooftop solar projects among our partner social enterprises, NGOs, and cooperatives. Through this, FSSI aims to develop financing solutions that will help organizations adopt renewable energy and enhance their long-term sustainability. We expect to provide further updates on this initiative in the coming months.
With 30 years of experience in development financing, we have witnessed firsthand the positive impact social enterprises can have on communities. As we proceed with our strategic plan, we will continue to provide both financial and technical resources necessary to support social enterprises in scaling their impact.
We remain committed to advancing inclusive growth, positive social outcomes, and environmental sustainability through our work with social enterprises across the Philippines. Thank you for being part of this mission. We look forward to continuing our shared efforts in 2025 and the opportunities that lie ahead.
