Gender Investment and Innovation Program-Promoting Social Impact Creation

Asia and Middle East Unit

Social Innovation Program

Promoting Social Impact Creation

Numerous efforts are currently being made in different sectors to build a more prosperous society for all in response to rapid changes in politics, society, environment, and economy. We believe these efforts must be accompanied by an enduring commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, such that the benefits of development can be maximized for all members of society.

One core area of focus is driving resources and engagement towards creating social impact by catalyzing social innovation on the ground. We support social enterprises, many of which are run by female entrepreneurs and its movement in South East Asia to promote diversity discourse while they are building their respective social enterprises; we have so far embarked on projects to do so in Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines. In order strengthen capacity of social entrepreneurs as well as those who support them, we need to foster ecosystems and connect people, ideas and actions to create social impact.

We also work closely with philanthropic organizations to optimize the deployment of charitable funding, leveraging our expertise and regional networks to conduct research and develop connections between key actors, leading to the establishment of highly effective partnerships and initiatives.

News

Solving Social Issues Through Entrepreneurship Vol.9 – Sustainable Tourism from Cambodia: Protecting Nature and Local Communities

The Cnai Accelerator Program—developed by SPF and its partners—supports entrepreneurs who apply a gender‑responsive approach to business. For this series, we interviewed the finalist entrepreneurs from the program’s third cohort to learn about their entrepreneurial journeys, the challenges they have faced, and how their businesses aim to address social issues. In this article, we spoke with Vanda Horn, Co‑Founder and CEO of Solo Landscapes.

February 25, 2026

Solving Social Issues Through Entrepreneurship Vol.8 – A Japanese Entrepreneur Tackling Distribution Challenges in Rural Cambodia

The Cnai Accelerator Program, a project developed by SPF and its partners to support entrepreneurs with a gender perspective. We spoke with the finalist entrepreneurs of the second phase about their entrepreneurial stories, challenges, and how they contribute aim to solve social issues through their businesses.As part of the second cohort’s fourth feature, we spoke with Ryo Nakano, a young Japanese entrepreneur who founded the startup ATELIER in Cambodia in 2021. Based in the provincial city of Battambang, ATELIER provides a B2B e-commerce platform aimed at addressing distribution challenges in rural areas. Notably, 99% of the small retail shop owners who make up the company’s customer base are women.

August 1, 2025

Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs through Mentorship: The Gender-Inclusive Mentor Development Program IMNEt ~Battambang

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation launched the Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) in 2024 - a mentor training program aimed at supporting and empowering rural micro women entrepreneurs, amplifying their positive impact of women, particularly in economic participants. The program was developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and partners. Swisscontact Cambodia, an international NGO that plays a central role in Cambodia’s entrepreneurial support ecosystem and implements the Enhancing Entreprenerial Ecosystem and Investments (3EI) program, serves as the main partner. Together with Impact Hub Phnom Penh and the Cambodia Coaching Institute, the curriculum was co-created.

July 10, 2025

Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs through Mentorship: The Gender-Inclusive Mentor Development Program IMNEt ~Siem Reap

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation launched the Inclusive Mentoring Network for Entrepreneurs (IMNEt) in 2024 - a mentor training program aimed at supporting and empowering rural micro women entrepreneurs, amplifying their positive impact of women, particularly in economic participants. The program was developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and partners. Swisscontact Cambodia, an international NGO that plays a central role in Cambodia’s entrepreneurial support ecosystem and implements the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3EI) program, serves as the main partner. Together with Impact Hub Phnom Penh and the Cambodia Coaching Institute, the curriculum was co-created.

July 9, 2025

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Reports and Publications

A DECADE OF LEARNINGS ON GENDER-LENS ACCELERATION: Case Studies from Asia

Over the past decade, Asia has seen a rapid expansion in entrepreneurship, but women-led enterprises face unique challenges that often limit their growth and access to funding. This report by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) examines the impact of gender-lens acceleration on women entrepreneurs across Asia.

January 14, 2025

GLI Landscape in Cambodia

The report profiles case studies such as the Cnai Accelerator, which supports gender-inclusive business practices, and Sweef Capital, demonstrating GLI’s role in enhancing women’s entrepreneurial participation. It also highlights recommendations to strengthen Cambodia’s GLI ecosystem, including policy support, financial product development, mentorship programs, and raising GLI awareness.

December 6, 2024

T20 Policy Brief: Bridging the Digital Gender Gap as an SDG Accelerator

This publication is made as a part of SPF initiative to shed the light on digital gender gap along with the NGO CSW Parallel Event, "Digitally Empowered and Women-led Development in Asia," under the auspices of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), in-person in New York, USA in March 2024.

October 17, 2024

G7 and G20 Digital Gender Gap Engagement

This presentation evaluates G7 and G20 engagement of the digital gender gap, with a view to accelerating the achievement of commitments made by G20 Leaders in its Leaders’ Declaration 2023 on halving the digital gender gap by 2030.

April 18, 2024

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