Welcome drinks and networking session brings together delegates and social enterprise ecosystem builders for a chance to meet, mingle, and exchange ideas over refreshing drinks. Whether you're looking to spark new collaborations or reconnect with peers, this is the perfect opportunity to build meaningful connections in a relaxed setting.
For our first learning visit, we’ll journey to Kundasang, Sabah, to explore local social enterprises making a real impact in rural communities, driving both social and economic growth.
08:00 AM – Departure from Kota Kinabalu
10:00 AM – Visit Kokoriu (Rural Social Enterprise, Community Engagement & Site Tour)
12:30 PM – Lunch at Mountain Valley, Bundu Tuhan
02:00 PM – Visit Dumowongi (Rural Social Enterprise, Community Engagement & Site Tour)
04:30 PM – Check-in at Perkasa Hotel Mount Kinabalu
07:30 PM – Dinner at Perkasa Hotel Mount Kinabalu
For our second learning visit, we’ll discover inspiring social enterprises near Kota Kinabalu, gaining firsthand insights into their impact and innovation.
07:00 AM – Breakfast at Perkasa Hotel Mt. Kinabalu
09:00 AM – Depart from Perkasa Hotel Mt. Kinabalu to Pace A Voi, Manggatal
12:00 PM – Visit Pace a Voi (Rural Social Enterprise, Community Engagement & Site Tour)
02:00 PM – Visit LJD (Rural Social Enterprise, Community Engagement & Site Tour)
04:00 PM – Visit Create Borneo (Rural Social Enterprise, Community Engagement & Site Tour)
The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering Forum features three insightful forums, bringing together social entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders to explore innovative solutions for rural development. Each forum will focus on key challenges and opportunities in the rural social enterprise sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive sustainable impact.
Registration, networking and marketplace
Welcome to the Rural Forum, Sabah, Malaysia
Forum 1: Heritage & Tourism: Global Perspectives on Rural Social Enterprises in Cultural & Community-Based Tourism
Coffee and networking break
Forum 2: Food, Farming & Environment: Sustainable Solutions for Rural Communities
Lunch, networking and marketplace
Forum 3: Building Rural Community Capacity: Strengthening Skills, Resources & Resilience
Final networking and marketplace
This event is part of the Global Rural Social Enterprise Network and is open to members by invitation.
The Global Rural Social Enterprise Network is an international community dedicated to supporting and strengthening rural social enterprise. It brings together social entrepreneurs, social enterprise network organisations, policymakers and researchers to foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge exchange.
If your organisation would be interested in joining the Network, please email: eadie.pfahlert@sewfonline.com
Flight Details
Departure: Friday 31 Oct
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
10:05am to 13:15pm
Air Asia (AK 1511) Airbus A320
The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is a global event bringing together the rural social enterprise community to connect, collaborate and exchange best practices. Hosted by Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) in partnership with Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), the gathering will take place in Sabah, Malaysia, from 31 October to 4 November. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with rural social enterprises through a Learning Visit to rural social enterprises in Sabah’s tropical rainforests. The gathering will also feature a Rural Forum in Kota Kinabalu, with dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Friday 31 October - Tuesday 4 November 2025
The two day Learning Visit will take place in Rural Sabah in Kundasang and the Rural Forum will take place at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu.
The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is a chance to connect with the global rural social enterprise community, share knowledge and learn from others’ experiences. You’ll gain insights from global experts, expand your network and engage in discussions shaping the sector’s future.
If you're traveling internationally, fly into Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
For those attending SEWF25 in Taipei, there is only one flight from Taipei to Kota Kinabalu on 31 October. If you're heading straight from SEWF25 to the Rural Gathering, you’ll need to book this flight as soon as you purchase your Rural Gathering ticket.
Flight Details:
Departure: Friday 31 Oct
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
10:05am to 13:15pm
Air Asia (AK 1511) Airbus A320
If you are attending the Learning visit as well as the Rural Forum, your accommodation will be included in your ticket. You will be staying in a hotel in Kota Kinabalu as well as a hotel in Kundasang (details to be confirmed).
Yes, there is one flight on 31 October from Taipei to Kota Kinabalu that arrives in time for the Learning Visit. If you're traveling directly from SEWF25 to the Learning Visit, book this flight as soon as possible. If you're not attending the Learning Visit, other flight options are available.
The main language of the event will be English.
The Rural Gathering comprises two main components: the Learning Visit and the Rural Forum.
Learning Visit (1–2 November):
The Learning Visit involves travel to rural areas and includes walking over uneven ground. Due to the nature of the terrain, this part of the event may not be suitable for wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility.
Rural Forum (3 November):
The Rural Forum will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu. SICC is designed to accommodate patrons of all mobility levels, featuring:
For more details on the venue's accessibility features, please visit the SICC website.
Additional Support:
If you have specific accessibility needs or require further assistance, please contact us at larainn@scenic.my We are committed to making the Rural Gathering as inclusive and accommodating as possible.
Accommodation is included if you are purchasing the Learning Visit and Rural Forum package. Please note it is not included if you exclusively purchase a Rural Forum ticket.
Visa requirements for Sabah, Malaysia, depend on your nationality. Many travelers can enter visa-free for 30–90 days. Some nationalities require a visa, check with the Malaysian Immigration Department or your nearest embassy for specific requirements. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
You do not need any specific technology, just a smartphone for easier communication, especially if you're joining the Learning Visit.
Early Bird rate is available until June 21 2025. The standard rate is available until 15 October 2025.
*All USD conversions are based on the exchange rate as of 3 April 2025 and are provided for reference only. The official pricing is in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is a global event bringing together the rural social enterprise community to connect, collaborate and exchange best practices. Hosted by Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) in partnership with Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), the gathering will take place in Sabah, Malaysia, from 31 October to 4 November. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with rural social enterprises through a Learning Visit to rural social enterprises in Sabah’s tropical rainforests. The gathering will also feature a Rural Forum in Kota Kinabalu, with dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
The Global Rural Social Enterprise Network is an international collaborative initiative dedicated to supporting and strengthening rural social enterprises. By bringing together social entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and social enterprise organisations, the network fosters collaboration, facilitates knowledge exchange and advocates for the sustainability and impact of rural social enterprises. For more information, or to be added to the mailing list contact: eadie.pfahlert@sewfonline.com
Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) is an initiative under Sabah State Government that was approved by the Sabah Cabinet in August 2019. SCENIC is under the purview of Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation Sabah (KSTI) aimed to accelerate industries in Sabah through technology, innovation and creativity, and collaboration with various stakeholders in the ecosystem.
Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to growing the social enterprise movement and driving the transition to a new global economy, one that prioritises people and the planet. With a network spanning 130 countries, SEWF connects social enterprises and partners worldwide. Its diverse board and team members are spread across six continents, reflecting its truly international reach.
This year’s Rural Gathering will be the third global gathering of rural social entrepreneurs and the first to be hosted in Asia. While discussions on rural social enterprise have been occurring behind the scenes, including the establishment of the Rural Social Enterprise Network, these gatherings have played a key role in strengthening connections and driving action.
2018: The first gathering, the Social Enterprise Rural Symposium, took place in the Isles of Lewis and Harris, Scotland. It laid the foundation for future events, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges unique to rural social enterprise.
2022: The Rural Gathering was hosted by ACRE (Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship) in partnership with SEWF. Held in North East Victoria, Australia, a region known for its strong social enterprise ecosystem, it brought together rural practitioners, policymakers and sector leaders to collaborate and drive change.
Building on these past gatherings, the Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, this year will continue to grow this global movement, bringing rural social enterprises together to share, learn and shape the future.
Ticket prices are inclusive of a non-refundable booking and administration fee, which covers Stripe platform charges. For more details, please refer to the cancellation policy on Mereka.io Cancellation Policy - Mereka Hub
Ticket swaps
No ticket swaps will be permitted after 23:59 MYT (UTC+8) 20 October 2025 except for extenuating circumstances and with permission from the ticket holder identified by registered email address. To request a ticket swap, email your booking confirmation with the full name and email of the person you are transferring your ticket to larainn@scenic.my
