Investing in People: The Social Bottom Line
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We thank our partners, members, and friends who joined us in marking FSSI’s 30th anniversary in September. Celebrating together made our anniversary more special and reminded us of the shared purpose that continues to guide our work toward sustainable and inclusive development.
In this issue, we focus on the how. The Triple Bottom Line or 3BL (People, Planet, Profit), is a strategy that guides how we invest in enterprises and communities. It reminds us that our work is not only about financial returns but also about advancing social equity and environmental responsibility. At the core of that is People.
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At FSSI, we invest in people — within our organization, among our partners, and across communities. Internally, we continue to strengthen our team’s capabilities and promote an enabling environment for growth and collaboration. We also harness the collective expertise of our membership and network.
Externally, we invest in communities by supporting community-owned enterprises and cooperatives, empowering marginalized sectors to participate actively in social enterprises and value chains.
Additionally, we pursue gender mainstreaming and gender lens investing, ensuring that women and men benefit equally from our programs and that social enterprises are equipped to promote inclusion. This is best demonstrated in how two of our women social enterprises CAISA MPC and Lourdes MPC embody the growing role of women-led social enterprises in advancing sustainable development and inclusive growth in rural communities.
These efforts enable people to become partners in development, not just beneficiaries of assistance.
Coming from the celebration of National Cooperative Month, we continue to recognize how cooperatives exemplify the power of collective enterprise and play a vital role in advancing our work in social entrepreneurship. In 2024, about 60% of our investments went to cooperatives which make up 57% of our partners.
In this issue, we share with you the story of Kabangasan-Mapua Agrarian Reform Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KAMADA) in Misamis Oriental. KAMADA has been a reliable partner of farmers and small entrepreneurs for over two decades, offering accessible financial and enterprise services tailored to their needs.
Through FSSI’s financing and technical assistance, KAMADA expanded its Ginagmay nga Negosyo Loan (GNL) program, reaching more microentrepreneurs and improving its systems and management practices. As shared by KAMADA General Manager Engr. Rico Badilla, “FSSI’s support has allowed us to reach more microentrepreneurs and improve how we manage our lending services.” Their story reminds us how the 3BL framework, People, Planet, and Profit, comes to life in our partnerships with cooperatives and community enterprises.
We are also pleased to share that we have recently opened new loan windows for solar projects. This aims to expand access to renewable energy through supporting near-small to small solar enterprises and expanding access to solar energy in communities.
Read more about our ongoing programs and initiatives here:
- Power Up Your Solar Enterprise Through FSSI’s Solar Loans
- Financing Solar Solutions for Organizations and Communities
Investing in social enterprises is investing in stronger and more resilient communities. In my article published by the Inquirer, I make the business case for supporting social enterprises. These are enterprises that contribute to local economies, create jobs, and promote inclusive growth.
We also continue to stand alongside civil society organizations in upholding integrity and good governance. The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), in a statement, condemns the irregularities in government-funded flood control projects that compromise public trust and divert resources meant to protect communities.
As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to support enterprises that create both economic and social value. Through financing social enterprises and capacity building, we remain grounded in our purpose: building a sustainable future where people and communities thrive.
Together, let us continue investing in people and building enterprises that serve both community and country.
