Scotland on the World Stage
Posted: 02 December 2025, in News
Being in Taipei for SEWF25 made one thing clear: Scotland truly punches above its weight in the global social enterprise movement. At every event I attended, whether that was panel sessions, networking evenings, or study visits, someone already knew about Scotland’s approach. Whether it was our policy environment, our long-term commitment, or the legacy of SEWF being founded in Edinburgh, Scotland’s reputation preceded us. It’s easy to forget this when working day-to-day in the ecosystem, but being surrounded by people from more than sixty countries puts everything into perspective.
What struck me most was how often Scotland was described, throughout conversations I had, not as a small nation, but as a leader. A place where government, communities, and enterprises genuinely try to work together to the best of their ability. People wanted to learn from us, but more importantly, we had a great deal to learn from them. The conversations around community ownership and land reform, in particular, were a real-time reminder that Scotland still has significant progress to make.
I was deeply impressed by every bursary recipient on this trip. Watching them throw themselves into every experience, asking smart questions, connecting with international peers, sharing their insights with confidence, and facilitating discussions was genuinely inspiring. Their energy and ambition set a pace that was both motivating and humbling. It’s clear this group will contribute meaningfully to Scotland’s future.
We weren’t just attending the forum, we were representing Scotland with real integrity and purpose. Whether sitting in workshops on gender-lens impact, exploring Taipei’s social enterprise ecosystem, or decompressing over local food after long days, the group brought curiosity, passion, and a willingness to engage deeply with complex policy issues.
We absorbed everything, challenged ideas respectfully, and formed global connections that won’t fade simply because we’ve returned home. Watching this bursary group collaborate with sector leaders and government officials created a powerful sense of intergenerational exchange, each learning and taking advice from the other.
SEWF25 was a reminder that international engagement and cooperation are not a nice-to-have; they are essential. Hearing how other countries tackle social procurement, sustainability, digital inclusion, workforce challenges, and community empowerment helped me see Scotland’s own landscape with fresh clarity.
The bursary recipients demonstrated exactly why Scotland must remain outward-facing and forward-looking. They weren’t shy about offering ideas, proposing solutions, or reflecting on how international practice could shape our work back home. They carried Scotland’s reputation well, and I believe expanded it.
Now that we’re home, this is when the real engagement begins. Colleagues from across Scotland, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan, and beyond are ready to continue collaborating. We must build on the momentum created at SEWF25, and now that our manifesto is published, Scotland has a prime opportunity to embed social enterprise into ‘Brand Scotland’—and to lead with confidence on the world stage.
The success of SEWF, from my perspective, was driven by the opportunities presented to the Scottish cohort who travelled out. I would really like to extend a massive thank you to Joanne Seagreave for bringing us all together. Additionally, to Kim Wallace and Chris Martin for pushing me forward to apply for SEWF25, their support was essential to making this trip happen.
– Andy Paterson, Policy Officer