BY JAZZ TAN, APC INTERN How can youth-led initiatives drive impactful climate action in Southeast Asia, and what can funders learn from their success? Southeast Asia is on the front lines of the climate crisis. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental degradation are not just threats but urgent realities. While traditional, top-down solutions often fail to address localised issues, youth-led initiatives are emerging as transformative forces for change. In June 2024, the Global Fund for Children (GFC) gathered philanthropists and changemakers in Singapore to share the successes of The Spark Fund, a youth-led initiative investing in groups tackling climate…
Building Fulfilled Lives: Social Connections, Lifelong Learning, and Aging Well
BY YU KHING POH, PROJECT LEAD, APC’S ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY PROJECT At the 100 Year Life Dialogue Series held its 2nd session on 28 August morning. The theme was on the importance of social connections and lifelong learning for longevity and successful aging. Mary Ann Tsao and her team from Tsao Foundation led us through a valuable exploration of the interconnectedness between social relationships, personal growth, and successful aging, emphasising the importance of fostering strong social bonds and engaging in lifelong learning as essential components of a fulfilling and meaningful life. The following 3 key take-aways emerged: 1. Social connections…
From Vision to Impact: A Reflection on Giving
BY FIFI SETIAWATY PANGESTU, APC BOARD MEMBER My own journey into philanthropy began several years ago when I joined the Bakti Barito Foundation. Those early days were marked by moments of discovery, learning, and the making of important decisions. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that generosity and compassion can have on the lives of others. It was through these experiences that I came to understand the true potential of philanthropy—not only as a force for good, but as a tool to create lasting, systemic change in society. As I reflect on those formative years, I am…
Growing new arms, building new bridges
BY LAURENCE LIENCHAIRMAN, ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE I am always asked how Asian philanthropy is different from Western philanthropy. Now, I finally have an answer to hand out! At APC, we recently published a piece called ‘Observations on the Essence of Asia Philanthropy’. It has only 10 short points; so do read it and tell me what you think. These points are distilled from nearly 16 years of full-time philanthropy sector experience! Some of the points we make are around Asian giving being rooted in deep cultural values and beliefs, and believing in identity-based giving. Many in Asia are influenced by…
BRAC visit illuminates progress and challenges ahead
BY JASMINE KHIN APC’s recent visit to Dhaka highlighted progress in ethical recruitment, training, and support for Bangladeshi migrant workers. For over two years, APC has been working with BoP Hub and non-profit organisation BRAC on the Migrant Workers Project. In 2023, we received approval from the Singapore government to launch the BCA Sandbox Scheme, which enables employers to bring in Bangladeshi construction workers at low fees (~SGD 3,000) and alleviating the financial burden on workers–who often pay upwards of SGD 10,000 to migrate. In February this year, the APC team–Koon Peng Ooi, Carol Tan, and myself–together with Tony Tan…
Reshaping grantmaking practice by EMpowering youths
BY JASMINE KHIN, ASSOCIATE Today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. In September 2023, APC hosted a sharing session with EMpower, an organisation dedicated to enabling youths, particularly girls, to exercise agency and have a greater say in decisions that shape their lives. This gathering brought together APC members from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam to learn more about what they do. Over the past two decades, EMpower has forged partnerships with 125 organisations across 15 emerging markets to centre youth protagonism—that is, putting youth at…
The 3Cs of venn2023: Community, Capital, and Collaboration
BY ANUSHIA KANDASAMY, APC MALAYSIA REPRESENTATIVE Today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. This year’s venn—APC’s annual member gathering—brought three themes to the forefront: community, capital, and collaboration in philanthropy amidst an ever-changing, complex, and volatile world. In a content-packed two days bringing together more than 100 members and guests, venn2023 presented the unique opportunity for participants to engage with a cross-section of organisations both in Singapore and the region, exchange ideas and experiences with one another, and learn from inspiring leaders with two stellar keynote…
Building Asia’s Philanthropy Ecosystem
BY SUE TOOMEY, HEAD OF COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT Today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. At APC, we often discuss the power of philanthropy to bring about significant social impact, and to address some of Asia’s most pressing challenges. However, today’s complex issues require not only strategic and collaborative philanthropy, but also a strong, supportive ecosystem to unlock its full potential. Yet, philanthropy ecosystems in Asia remain fragmented and under-resourced, with limited regional or local investment in strengthening and sustaining them. In September, APC hosted a…
In Conversation with Landesa: Pathways to Progress in Asia
BY SARAH TAM, CLIMATE LEAD How does securing land rights accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals? Land rights are a foundation for better lives—they provide shelter, economic empowerment, upward mobility, and food security. When people and communities hold secure rights to land, efforts to tackle climate change are more successful. This is all the more important in a region like Southeast Asia, home to an estimated 100 million smallholder farmers. Yet for many — particularly women and Indigenous Peoples — secure land rights are rarely accessible. So, how are communities securing rights to their land in Asia?…
The Road Ahead: What next after COP28?
BY SARAH TAM, CLIMATE LEAD Following the UAE Consensus at the end of COP28, what are the key takeaways for the Global South, and what next for APC’s work in climate? This year, COP28 brought together a record-breaking 97,000 delegates: negotiators, politicians, business leaders, philanthropists, and civil society organisations—all converging in Dubai to deliver a new era of climate action. After two weeks of negotiations, COP28 delivered the UAE Consensus, which lays out a response to the Global Stocktake and puts forward a plan to close gaps to 2030 targets laid out in The Paris Agreement: transition away from fossil fuels…