ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme 4.0

The ASEAN Foundation, with the support of TikTok and SAP, launches the ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Program 4.0 (ASEAN SEDP 4.0). This programme aims to support social enterprises in the ASEAN region with access to more significant opportunities to improve their ventures through Promoting productivity, technology and innovation; increasing access to finance; Enhancing market access and internationalisation; and Promoting entrepreneurship and human capital development.

Consistent with these aims, this programme provides customised capacity-building training, mentorship, networking with investors and government within the ASEAN region, and seed funding to 30 youth-led social enterprises in 10 ASEAN countries. This initiative contributes to the long-term benefits of strengthening the unique ecosystem for the larger social enterprise community in the region.

Objectives

• The ASEAN Foundation – with the support of TikTok and SAP – will be implementing the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN-SEDP) with the following objectives:
  • To empower youth-led social enterprises through product refinement, business model improvement, and mentoring.
  • To increase investor access to sources of funding for participating youth-led social enterprises.
  • To improve the social impacts generated by participating social enterprises.
  • To engage ASEAN youth-led social enterprises in the national and regional policy-making processes with the government and other key stakeholders in ASEAN.
  • To contribute to one or more than one of the following United Nations – Sustainable Goals (UN – SDGs):
    • SDG 1 – No Poverty
    • SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
    • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
    • SDG 4 – Quality Education
    • SDG 5 – Gender Equality
    • SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
    • SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
    • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
    • SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
    • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
    • SDG 13 – Climate Action (through social enterprises empowerment with specified targets detailed in the challenges Section)
    • SDG 14 – Life Below Water
    • SDG 15 – Life on Land
    • SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goal

Funding Information

• Seed-Grant Opportunities
  • 6 – 7 social enterprises will have the opportunity to receive the seed-grants with the 1st winner standing a chance to win the seed grant totalling up to 7,000 USD. The rest of the social enterprises will be provided with mini-grants.

Benefits

• Tailored Curriculum
  • A tailored training and mentoring curriculum will be developed based on the unique needs of the respective social enterprise.
• Mentoring with SAP and Industry Experts
  • Each social enterprise will be paired with SAP and Industry Expert mentors, who will assist the learning journey in business operations.
• Leverage Your Social Enterprise on TikTok
  • Social enterprises will learn TikTok content creation, TikTok LIVE, and TikTok Shop from TikTok professionals and content creators. In addition, social enterprises will receive free TikTok credits to enhance their online engagement/reach and leverage their impact.
• Networking with Investors
  • The social enterprises will join one-on-one sessions with investors during Business Matchmaking.
• Engagement with National and Regional ASEAN Policymakers
  • The social enterprises are able to engage with ASEAN sectoral bodies, such as ACCMSME and SOMY officials, to showcase their impacts.

Eligibility Criteria

• Social enterprises from ASEAN countries who are implementing projects and creating product challenges related to the SDGs mentioned above with the following qualifications are eligible to apply:
  • The Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, or team members of the Social Enterprise who will participate in the programme are between 18 and 35 years old and are ASEAN nationals.
  • The Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, or team members must currently reside in one of the following 10 ASEAN countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
  • If selected, the Founder/Co-Founder or C-level must be fully committed to participating in the full cycle of the ASEAN SEDP 4.0 Though not mandatory, it is possible for the Founder/Co-Founder or C-level to invite additional team members to participate in the programme.
  • The youth-led social enterprises must have, at minimum, a viable product that can be examined and presented. It would be preferable if the social enterprise already generates revenue.
  • The participating Founder/Co-Founder or C-level must have good English as the entire programme will be delivered in
  • The social enterprises generate impacts, which address social or environmental issues, and target marginalised and vulnerable communities as beneficiaries.

For more information, visit ASEAN Foundation.