UPDATES: We are proud to be one of the six awardees of the AGF-BC Social Enterprise Award 2013 that concluded last month, receiving fundings of up to RM40,000 and mentoring for up to a year! I can’t believe it! Well done Zabrina, the President of Cyberjaya Accounting Club, student of Multimedia University who represented us and showed the world what our amazing youths are capable of doing – read the excerpt below, from our EYE Project website.

The creative business plan was based on our initiative Student Engagement Center (SEC) which addresses social issues and delivers measurable, transformational change to the student community nationwide, lead bySEC’s very own council representative, Zabrina Zulkeefli, President of Cyberjaya Accounting Club, MMU.

Believing in our youths takes guts especially in a competition at this level, and that is what we did. She took up the responsibility, competed against so many other ideas and emerged a winner. We not only walk the talk, we also emerged as winners!

Other winners who are now part of the family includes YouthsToday.com, Pink Enterprise, Biji-biji Initiative, Eats, Shoots & Roots and The Recovr Initiative

First published on 30th November 2012 @ 6:32pm

The Arthur Guinness Fund, in partnership with British Council Malaysia, is looking Malaysia’s own ‘Entrepreneurs for Good’. Application for the Arthur Guinness Fund-British Council (AGF-BC) Social Enterprise Award is open from now until 4^th January 2013. Funding of up to RM40,000 will be granted to up to 6 individuals who are able to come up with a creative business plan that addresses social issues and delivers measurable, transformational change to communities in the country.

Yeap you heard that right!!!! The AGF-BC Social Enterprise Award will be supporting individuals and organizations that are leading or starting innovative project to change Malaysia for the better. In my case, it’s a #betterMalaysia! Not only that, each shortlisted candidate will receive mentoring from established social and business entrepreneurs and will receive valuable insight and guidance on their business models. I could certainly use the help guys… so please, HELP ME ACHIEVE THIS AWARD!!!

“GUINNESS® has invested more than RM200,000 into the Arthur Guinness Fund as it continues in the footsteps of Arthur Guinness, who was one of the pioneers in the field of philanthropy. With the overwhelming number of social issues present in the local community, it is up to us to lend a hand to the community we operate in. There are people out there who have a great idea and want to do more for the community but do not have the resources to put their ideas into action. We are looking for individuals like this who have the ideas and boldness to create waves of change in our local communities” – Yap Swee Leng, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad

I know there are many individuals out there who deserve it, but I really hope you guys can support me because I want to be the channel to support others through my existing social businesses, namely:-

The Empowering Youth Endeavours (EYE) Project intends to develop the youth eco-system (starting with the undergraduates) at the national level. In line with the national agenda to enhance Malaysia’s human capital, we believe that it starts with addressing the very environment in which local ‘human capital’ is educated and developed. This requires a more active and integrated learning environment at micro as well as macro level, and we collaborate with every stakeholder involved to do just that – building a pipeline of high-performing graduates for various industries as well as providing platforms to those who do not have access to this means.

 

SocialGrooves.com is a collection of social media enthusiasts aiming to create a difference to the society by fully utilizing the power of social media to spread initiatives with social causes to a growing number of digital influencers. We aim to be a self-sustaining Social Enterprise providing Social Media Consultancy that specializes in word-of-mouth marketing appealing to trending cause-centred ideas. We use tools which are unconventional. Social Media, Design, Viral Ideas. At times these innovative ways stand alone. Other times, they work alongside conventional means of marketing, adding strength to brand campaigns. We have worked with clients such as AirAsia asean, Jaya One, Hannah Tan, Young Corporate Malaysians and Teach for Malaysia.

What others say about us: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/tech/article/changing-lives-with-social-media/

The

partnership that was announced during the launch of the GUINNESS® Arthur’s Day 2012 perked my attention, and now that it’s really happening, I’m not about to miss out a chance to grab this opportunity! On top of that, British Council Malaysia brings on board a wealth of UK expertise and experience in Social Enterprise work and is also making a substantial financial investment into the programme which can help the recipients of these awards.

“The field of social entrepreneurship is growing very quickly in Malaysia and garnering a lot of attention from a variety of sectors. As a result, it’s attracting some very talented people and it is this talent that we’re looking to support to enable them to drive positive social change that will benefit their communities’ said Clare Walker, Deputy Director of Programmes for British Council Malaysia.

This is certainly good news for all of us because a lot of young people are still afraid to “make the leap”, thinking that going into social entrepreneurship will not pay in days to come. I want to be the one to prove that wrong, that social good does not mean living with minimum needs. Come join the bandwagon and make sustainable money while helping out great social causes at the same time! Make sure you come attend the AGF-BC Social Enterprise Award roadshow that serves to spread awareness and educate the public on social entrepreneurship and social work in Malaysia and around the world:-

If you have a business idea that affects social change, you should definitely head to the roadshows to learn more about social enterprise, about the programme and to sign up for the AGF-BC Social Enterprise Award. You will basically need to present your project to the panel in no more than 5 minutes, and the best project presenters will be fast-tracked into training and will be in the running to receive funds from the Award programme. Before that, do RSVP via Rafi at 03 – 2723 7912 or Rafiuddin.Ridzwan@britishcouncil.org.my!

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people.

We work in the arts, education, English, science and sport and last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government.

Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources.

For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org

About the Arthur Guinness Fund:

Arthur Guinness Fund™ is an internal programme vehicle set up to further the legacy of Arthur Guinness and support social entrepreneurs around the world. The fund was launched and set up last year to mark the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the lease for the Guinness® brewery at St James’s Gate. The Arthur Guinness Fund is committed to identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs globally with the skills and support required to deliver a measurable, transformational change to communities around the world.

About GUINNESS®

First brewed in 1759, GUINNESS® has a rich and enduring heritage. Having been in South East Asia for more than 100 years, the drink is today brewed in 51 countries and sold in 151 countries. GUINNESS® has over 85% share of the stout market in Malaysia.