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Asia and the Pacific

April 2024: Around the world with our regional reps

Alliance magazine 9 May 2024

Every month Alliance regional representatives provide a report on the latest happenings in philanthropy from their region. Below is roundup for April 2024 Successful demonstration test of world’s first zero-emission ship in Japan By Fan Li, …


UN refugee agency and AVPN explore innovative finance

Shafi Musaddique 1 May 2024

UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, has teamed up with social investor AVPN to explore innovative financial models to help strengthen support for forcibly displaced people in Asia and the Pacific.   The two organisations within …


Biodiversity conservation a top philanthropic priority in China

Shafi Musaddique 30 April 2024

Biodiversity conservation is a top priority of environmental philanthropic funding in China, according to China’s largest environmental grant-making foundation.   Findings by the Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology (SEE) Foundation show that $270 million was …

Philanthropic collaboratives can fuel greater social impact in India

Pritha Venkatachalam, Anant Bhagwati and Akshay Gambhir 30 April 2024

India is ranked just 112 out of 166 countries in terms of progress against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the 2030 deadline looming, social sector actors are working hard to tackle chronic …

Asia’s new social outcomes marketplace launched by AVPN

Claudia Cahalane 25 April 2024

AVPN and a new venture called OutcomesX has today launched a social outcomes platform across Asia. They say the initiative is an important move for Asia to meet its $1.5 trillion Sustainable Development Goals deficit. …

Gender finance gap grows in the Philippines

Shafi Musaddique 25 April 2024

A gender finance gap for women entrepreneurs remains systemic in the Philippines, according to a report published by Japan-based Sasakawa Peace Foundation.  Women own the majority of micro, small and medium companies in the Philippines. …

Philanthropy essential to bridge India’s mental health funding gap 

Shafi Musaddique 25 April 2024

India’s mental health crisis is severely underfunded, despite attempts by philanthropic and private sector resources to bridge the gap.  A study published by the Centre for Asian Philanthropy India (CAPI), named ‘Mindful Investments: Philanthropy for …

Bangladesh memories push Swarovski Foundation director to change power imbalance 

Shafi Musaddique 23 April 2024

Swarovski Foundation director Jakhya Rahman-Corey says there is a power imbalance between funders and grantees remains rife in philanthropy.  ‘Unfortunately, there is a power imbalance between funders and organisations on the ground and to recognise …

How philanthropy can aid the shift from fossil fuels

Surabi Menon and Saliem Fakir 22 April 2024

COP28 paved the way for a consensus-built commitment to transition away from fossil fuels. However, the implementation and pathways for the transition will be complex and require responsible and equitable managem­ent. Philanthropy can help facilitate …

UBS Foundation launches first Greater China partnership with regional social enterprise 

Shafi Musaddique 16 April 2024

UBS Optimus Foundation Hong Kong has launched a joint partnership with non-profit social enterprise Project Melo.  As its seed funder, the partnership involves a competition aimed at tackling the some of the most pressing environmental issues facing …