Senior leaders from philanthropy, enterprise, finance, and civil society are set to gather in Nairobi on October 21, 2025, for a high-level convening titled “Sustaining Impact Through Innovation: Advancing Social Entrepreneurship for Organizational Resilience in East Africa.”
The one-day event, organized by East Africa Philanthropy Network-EAPN, in partnership with Ashoka, will be held at Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Rethinking Institutional Architecture for Enduring Impact
The convening comes at a time when many organizations across East Africa are confronting structural challenges that hinder their sustainability.
Institutions driving some of the most transformative work in the region often operate under fragile models highly dependent on short-term funding despite their long-term missions.
Organizers say the dialogue aims to reimagine what institutional endurance looks like in this changing environment.
By exploring how social entrepreneurship can serve as a vehicle for resilience, the event will help organizations unlock local value, diversify revenue streams, and build independence without losing sight of purpose.
“The institutions doing the most challenging work in our region are often the most structurally exposed,” reads a statement announcing the convening.
“They carry the weight of impact, but without models designed for endurance. The real challenge now is architecture.”
Social Entrepreneurship as a Strategic Response
Participants will interrogate practical models that blend innovation with sustainability, reflecting the realities of operating in dynamic markets.
Sessions will focus on revenue design, institutional readiness, mission alignment, and market relevance, encouraging honest conversations on how organizations can adapt to the region’s evolving funding and operational landscapes.
Social entrepreneurship, the organizers note, is fast emerging as a strategic pathway for organizations to secure autonomy.
It enables institutions to innovate within their core missions, generate unrestricted income, and remain agile in uncertain environments.
By drawing on Ashoka’s global expertise and grounding discussions in the East African context, the convening will provide a platform for knowledge exchange among leaders from philanthropy, civil society, investment, and enterprise sectors.
Building Sovereignty and Financial Independence
Ultimately, the gathering seeks to equip organizations with tools to build financial autonomy, negotiate relevance on their own terms, and secure their futures without outsourcing vision.
It is designed for leaders who are thinking beyond survival toward sovereignty, adaptability, and locally rooted innovation.
As East Africa continues to navigate complex social and economic transitions, the conversation around institutional resilience is becoming increasingly urgent.
The Nairobi convening signals a shift toward models that emphasize self-reliance, long-term architecture, and mission-driven innovation as foundations for enduring impact.
Attendance is by RSVP only. Interested participants can register via: https://lnkd.in/daG66tRm.
About East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN)
The East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) is a member-based organization that unites foundations, trusts, corporate, and community funders across the region.
Established in 2003, EAPN works to strengthen African philanthropy through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy.
The Network promotes locally led giving and supports institutions to build sustainable models that drive long-term social impact.
About Ashoka
Ashoka is a global organization that pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship.
Founded in 1980, it supports leading innovators, Ashoka Fellows, who are transforming systems and driving lasting social change in over 90 countries.
In East Africa, Ashoka works to nurture purpose-driven leaders and organizations, helping them design sustainable, impact-driven models that strengthen community resilience and innovation.
