Twelve individuals were honoured at the inaugural President’s Challenge Stars Awards for their contributions to social good. Among them, Cheok Xueting, COO of Trampolene, received the Civic Action Fellowship for empowering neurodiverse youth through the GATES programme — while the youngest awardee, Shirlene Ng, was recognised for her remarkable journey of resilience and hope.

Tourism is a Tool, not a Target: BEDO Forum Leads Mainstreaming Biodiversity-Based Tourism in Thailand

Eco-tourism in Southeast Asia is helping restore reefs and support local livelihoods, with tourists joining coral planting and philanthropy backing sustainable community efforts.

Carol Liew on Asia’s family foundations as ‘trust-based philanthropy’ and a moment of opportunity amid global shifts

The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund has exceeded its initial $5 million goal and announced its first three grant partners supporting marine conservation in Indonesia and the Philippines. The fund backs community-led efforts to protect 30% of Southeast Asia’s seas by 2030, in line with global biodiversity goals.

Asian philanthropy’s flexible and collaborative approach offers inspiration for Danish foundations, say ECCA and AVPN leaders. They urge cross-regional partnerships to tackle global challenges like climate and biodiversity.

Under the Gates programme by Trampolene, tertiary-educated adults with autism are being trained and placed in engineering roles. With tailored support and job coaching, 42 participants have been trained and 18 placed in employment, promoting inclusive hiring and long-term job retention.

Seven Clean Seas won the Impact Enterprise Excellence Award for SMEs at the 2024 Sustainability Impact Awards for pioneering certified plastic credits, a model that funds ocean cleanups while promoting fair employment and financial sustainability in waste management.

At the Sustainability Impact Awards, CDL and BlueAcres were recognised for their contributions to climate action and social impact, highlighting efforts in sustainability advocacy and inclusive urban farming.

Tom Peacock-Nazil, founder of Seven Clean Seas and a first place winner of the Blue Water Heroes 2023, is working towards his dream of a plastic-free ocean