Ateneo and DLSU launch The Collective Good, a joint workshop on social entrepreneurship

“This workshop is monumental because we are not just bringing in thought leaders but we are also collaborating with premier institutions to move Social Entrepreneurship education and awareness to different stakeholders.” 
Ana Marina Tan, ACSEnt Director

In a landmark collaboration, the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt) and the Lasallian Social Enterprise for Economic Development (LSEED) Center have joined forces to launch The Collective Good—a dynamic workshop and fellowship program that brings together changemakers from across the Philippine social enterprise ecosystem.

Last 28 to 29 July 2025, the Lasallian Social Enterprise for Economic Development (LSEED) Center of De La Salle University hosted the first leg of the program. The two-day event brought together emerging and experienced social enterprise practitioners, development professionals, academics, and advocates committed to deepening impact and strengthening the country’s social enterprise ecosystem.

Held at the Henry Sy Sr Hall, the workshop carried the theme “Framing the Collective Good” on Day 1 and “Sharpening Our Tools for Impact” on Day 2. Participants engaged in reflective and interactive sessions that explored their roles within the ecosystem and examined strategies for driving sustainable development through enterprise.

Day 1 featured rich discussions on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), understanding the triple bottom line, and the principles of the circular economy. Thought leaders from both Ateneo and DLSU led the sessions, including Dr. Norby Salonga, Founding Director of LSEED, and Dr Ma Assunta Cuyegkeng, Founding Director of the Ateneo Institute for Sustainability.  Ms Ana Marina Tan of ACSEnt also led the discussion on a case study on ANTHILL which showcased how social enterprises create sustainable value

Day 2 focused on capacity building through stakeholder analysis, community mapping, and design thinking for social innovation. Ms Love Gregorie Perez, Director of Xchange facilitated the session on design thinking, and Mr Marion Manalo, faculty member of Marketing and Law in JGSOM shared important strategies on marketing for SEs. Through group activities and workshops, participants collaboratively explored inclusive approaches to solving local development challenges. 

This gathering is the first leg, the next phase of the program set to take place on 26 to 27 November 2025, at Ateneo de Manila University. There, participants will present their milestone reports, engage in further coaching, and outline collaborative solutions addressing real-world challenges in the social enterprise landscape.

By bridging academic expertise and on-the-ground experience, The Collective Good demonstrates the commitment of both institutions to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and impactful social entrepreneurship sector in the Philippines.

To learn more about ACSEnt visit https://www.facebook.com/acsentsom or email inquiries to acsent.jgsom@ateneo.edu