6 Expert Tips for the Social Entrepreneur
Tips for the social entrepreneur to train and connect people who want to make a positive social impact in their communities.
6 Hotspots for Social Impact in Asia: Key Trends and Players
4 min read
Inclusive Business (IB) is a novel concept in Asia, but highly relevant. Aiming to catalyse social impact in a financially viable way, it provides opportunities for private and public sector players to work alongside communities at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) to enable sustainable livelihoods for all.
6 Lessons for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in the Time of COVID-19
5 min read
With schools across the globe closing, the COVID-19 health emergency has brought unprecedented change and uncertainty to 1.5 billion learners in 165 countries1. Students are learning to adapt to the online educational opportunities that government and schools are hurrying to deliver to meet the challenge. For millions of young children at the pre-primary level, however, sources of safety and comfort – found in the familiar routine and structure provided by planned activities at school – are now dramatically altered.
7 Ways to Reboot the Indian Rural Economy Post COVID-19
3 min read
As India enters into the 4th phase of lockdown, we are caught between the dilemma of savings lives or protecting livelihoods by keeping the economy open and running. The most marginalised, daily wage earners, unorganised labour class and those at the fringes of our society have been disproportionately affected. With the migrant labourers returning home with no cash or savings, village communities are stressed due to the loss of remittance income, and the added mouths to feed.
8 ways to improve education and build a better world
It is not enough to just recover physically and economically from the global pandemic; it has also disrupted one billion children’s learning, leaving many permanently disadvantaged. But we can also see the way forward: innovation.
A Breakdown of the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
3 min read
As the year comes to an end, learn how Asia is faring based on the 2017 SDGs.
A Class in Venture Philanthropy for China’s Foundation Leaders
AVPN’s chair and vice-chair shared centre stage in a special guest speaker lecture for China’s foundation leaders in Beijing in February. The 8-day course was organised by China Foundation Centre‘s training academy and held at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. The topic of the lecture was on social investing, which was a new concept […]
A Collaborative Approach to Public Health: Role of Markets and the Private Sector in Enhancing Access to Health for a Billion Indian
5 min read Noted author, C.K. Prahalad had highlighted that the fortune lies at the bottom of the pyramid. This theme emerged as the centrepiece at the South Asia Social Investment Summit 2022 panel on Opportunities for Private Sector for Transforming Primary Healthcare to Leave No One Behind. Quoting Mr. Ram Kumar, IAS, MD NHM […]
A Conversation with Mr. Edward Ma, Secretary-General of Yidan Prize Foundation
4 min read
The Yidan Prize is more than an award. At Yidan Prize Foundation, we believe in the twin pillars of promoting inspiration and learning to create a better world through education.
A Global Award, an Illuminated Future
Tencent Core Founder and Philanthropist, Charles Chen Yidan, announces the launch of Yidan Prize the world’s biggest education award.
A Guide for Decision-Making That Optimises Impacts on Well-Being
1 min read In a world facing serious challenges of inequality, climate change and wellbeing, organisations have a responsibility to act upon, and be responsive to, these challenges by purposefully making decisions that optimise the positive impact their activities have. Making decisions based on optimising the social value or impact that an organization can make […]
A Shareholder Say on Climate Is Crucial For Climate Action
4 min read
Companies are responsible for at least 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but only a small fraction disclose their emissions or have a credible plan to reduce them. The situation in Asia is particularly worrying. While East Asia’s big 3s – China, Japan and South Korea – are setting strong signals to their domestic sectors, only 1 of the 32 top-emitting Asian companies targeted by the Climate Action 100+ initiative has set short-term targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
A Sneak Peek on the Latest Investments Made by Some of Our Members
Our members are creating social impact all around Asia and we at AVPN are proud to publicise their new investments, which are helping to target hot social issues such as women and health, prevent future natural disasters, as well as actively reshaping the future state of the world through education. In the employment and livelihoods […]
Above and Beyond a Grantmaking Exercise: How an Evolving Partnership Can Create Better Futures for Girls in Cambodia
5 min read
As social issues like unequal access to education transcends across multiple silos, like-minded stakeholders need to partner and move collectively to create impact. Find out how Atlassian Foundation and Room To Read are doing just that, and how you can do so too.
Accion Venture Labs: Inside the ‘Capital Plus’ model of impact investing with Nancy Widjaja
Accion Venture Labs: Inside the ‘Capital Plus’ model of impact investing by Nicholas Walton.
Accountability & Action: Addressing Evidence Gaps in Strengthening Human Rights for Women and Girls
5 min read
It’s not often that something innovative and potentially game-changing comes along in the field of strengthening human rights, particularly when it comes to the rights of women and girls.
Addressing Critical Needs Through Innovative Social Impact Solutions in India
4 min read Radha Goenka, Director of RPG Foundation is a philanthropist, mom and passionate writer. When she returned from the US in 2008, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was relatively a new concept in India. At that time, all CSR initiatives of RPG Group Companies were being run independently. She brought structure to this system […]
Addressing Energy Poverty in India
4 min read
CEO of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation addresses limitations in India’s present ‘electrification’ situation, and how the Foundation leverages on alternative energy solutions, technology, and policy frameworks to overcome these issues.
Addressing Gender & Climate will Amplify the Impact of Both Agendas
2 min read
Companies and investors are increasingly committing to promoting gender equality as it presents an enormous opportunity for economic and business growth. Almost 350+ AVPN members have stated gender equality as one of their priorities. As evidenced by the IFC, gender equality has been increasingly considered an integral part of impact investing, and investors’ interest in impact investing has reached $26 trillion— $21 trillion in publicly traded stocks and bonds, and $5 trillion in private markets.[1] At the same time, companies and investors are also committing to net zero pledges.
Addressing Leadership Crisis in the Social Sector
2 min read
Dr Reddy’s Foundation recently launched its 15-month Atira Leadership Accelerator Programme to address the paucity of visionary leaders within the social sector. Find out which competency areas that DRF is targeting.
Adequate Shelter for All and Role of Housing Microfinance
4 min read
Almost a quarter of the world’s population lives in substandard shelter, which also affects their health, livelihood, and children’s education.
Learn about the potential of housing micro finance as a nimble tool for low-income populations, and some of the barriers to scale this product.
Advanced Digital Innovation Changing the Face of Banking in Cambodia
6 minutes read “Technology has transformed the banking sector in Cambodia, leading to economic growth and the emergence of Wing Bank and its financial revolution through Bionic Innovations and Digital Loan.” In recent years, Cambodia has experienced a remarkable transformation in its banking sector, propelled by the integration of bionic innovations. The fusion of cutting-edge […]
Alignment and Execution: Private, Public and Social Sector Actors Must Address Girls’ Education Together
5 min read Just a few weeks ago, the world welcomed 2023. As we enter the fourth year since the global pandemic hit, it’s increasingly clear that now is a crucial time for the state of education. Nobody is more at risk than the young women around the world who face enormous challenges to access […]
Allen Grossman Talks to AVPN About the Significant Impact of Venture Philanthropy
Harvard Business School recently published a paper titled “Venture Philanthropy: Its Evolution and its Future”. Written by Allen Grossman, Sarah Appleby and Caitlin Reimers, the paper explores the current state of venture philanthropy (VP) in the US and its future. The findings of the paper are based on interviews with 28 practitioners in the field […]
Alliance Webinar: The Future of Philanthropy in Asia
Asian philanthropists pivoted almost immediately to tackle the first wave of the pandemic, reflecting the flexible, innovative and catalytic nature of philanthropy. As funders rise to plug the gaps in the socio-economic system that have surfaced from the pandemic, we are seeing an evolution of leaders rising to meet the moment.
An Innovative Approach to Investing in Climate Resilient Economic Growth
There is an urgent need to stimulate private sector investment into areas highly disrupted by climate change, such as food production, water and natural environment, infrastructure, disaster risk management and nature based solutions. Climate finance for these sectors is critical to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, including alleviating poverty and supporting the most vulnerable groups. The question remains: how can we significantly scale up investment into goods and services which build resilience to the effects of climate change?
Annika Linder Center Deal Share Impact Trip Report
4 min read
Annika Linden Center (ALC) serves as a one stop shop services offering a holistic concept for person with disabilities (PWDs) in Bali. As part of the AVPN SEA summit agenda, the Deal Share team curated an impact visit for delegates to visit 3 ALC supported Social Purpose Organizations (SPOs) – Puspadi Bali , Yayasan Peduli Kemanusiaan (YPK), and D’network.
Approaching Learning Through Play with a Growth Mindset: From Theory to Reality
5 minutes read The word mindset was first used at the turn of the twentieth century to describe habits of mind formed by previous experience (Gollwitzer, 1990)[1]. Mindsets are associated with the unfolding of human potential in two primary directions, namely fixed mindset and growth mindset[2]. Learning through Play (LtP) is an educational approach which […]
Are Young People the Key to Unlocking Asia’s Creative Economy?
There are more than 750 million young people aged 15 to 24 years in Asia Pacific. This accounts for over 60% of the world’s youth. However, the youth unemployment rate in APAC is approximately 10.5%, more than double the unemployment rate of the total working age population. Poor quality vocational education and lack of decent […]
As Temperatures Soar, Philanthropy Can Power up South Asia’s Cooling Innovators
Rising temperatures threaten lives and livelihoods around the world. From cities to remote villages, South Asian innovators are tackling the threat – working hand-in-hand with the communities in greatest danger.
Asia Update: China in Landmark Pledge
China has undertaken new regulations to allow nonprofit organisations, including charities and industry associations to take on larger roles in society. The Associated Press quoted Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo as saying: “Overall, from now on, the role that our country’s social organizations will play in economic and social development will be expanded and strengthened.” […]
Asia’s Alternative Protein Revolution: Why Investors Should Take Notice
4 min read In a world where conventional animal protein sources face increasing scrutiny for their environmental footprint, alternative proteins are quickly becoming an attractive option for investors seeking to make sustainable, future-proof investments. From plant-based protein to cultivated meat and seafood, innovative startups and visionary entrepreneurs are providing an opportunity to make a dent […]
Asia’s premier Social Investing & Philanthropy conference – Video, Photos and Reports Out Now!
25 Sessions, 98 Speakers and 478 Delegates 28 Countries and 304 Organisations 450 connections via AVPN Connector and many other informal exchanges “Excellent, rich content, experienced speakers who share insights, lessons, advice, inspiring models to replicate. The dialogue/program developed every year as Asian VP sector develop continuously. Great connecting opportunity to more impact.” AVPN’s third […]
Asian Government Delegates on Avpn Europe Trip Promise Big Future Plans for Social Investing
In November last year, AVPN brought a group of 17 Asian government officials and advisors on a study trip to Europe to learn about successful models of multi-sector collaboration amongst the government, investor and also the social sector. The tour was jointly organised with BMW Foundation, British Council and EVPA. We had representatives from China, […]
Asian Institute for Impact Measurement and Management launches the Inaugural Issue of Asian Impact Management Review (AIMR)
4 min read ZHONGLI (Taiwan News): Asian Institute for Impact Measurement and Management held the Asian Impact Management Review Inaugural Press Conference at National Central University on December 10, 2022. The event attracted over a hundred participants. Asian Institute for Impact Measurement and Management announced today the official launch of Asian Impact Management Review (AIMR). […]
At COP27, a Call to Root Climate Action and Justice in Land Rights for Women and Rural Communities
Co-Author: Rachel McMonagle 5 min read Anandini Munda’s typical day begins before dawn, as she rises to catch shrimp fries in the Chunār River, a distributary in the Ganges Delta in Bangladesh. Anandini, 34, and other women in her village sell the fries to shrimp farms to earn a living, though she says the fries […]