When we first decided to host an ECCA Partners Retreat, we knew one thing for sure: we didn’t want it to feel like a typical training workshop. No back-to-back PowerPoints. No trying to teach the experts how to do their work better.

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.

Oceans are vital to Southeast Asia’s environment, economy, and communities - supporting rich biodiversity, global fisheries, and major trade routes. Despite this, ocean health remains underfunded in the region.

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

Eight NTUC unions have partnered with Trampolene, IES, and HP Singapore to promote sustainable practices and green skills training in the electronics, marine, and engineering sectors. The collaboration aims to support inclusive employment, upskilling of PMEs, and company transformation through NTUC’s training initiatives.

More companies in Singapore are showing interest in hiring persons with special needs, with annual inquiries rising by 5–10%. Organizations like Trampolene now support up to 300 such jobseekers yearly, achieving a placement rate of 60–70%, though challenges like stereotypes remain.

ECCA Managing Director, Carol Liew, contributed to FT Longitude’s latest research publication for DBS Private Bank, discussing the challenges associated with ECCA’s high-touch venture philanthropy approach.

Explore the journey of our partnership, including successes, challenges, and key lessons learned as the project concludes.

Join Theo as he takes us to his favorite place, a sanctuary he turns to whenever he needs solace.

Bettr Lives uses a framework developed by US-based non-profit organization Six Seconds, which researches and creates tools and methods to improve emotional intelligence.

Desperate to restore the Chao Praya River to a pristine state, an abbot in the Thai capital began recycling in his temple. Now he has a floating ally in his efforts to clean up the river.

Without careful planning and impact assessment, philanthropists have a limited view of the outcome of their donations. What is the best way to measure the effects of philanthropy?

The Gates (Growing Autistic Talent for Engineering Sector) programme was started in May 2022, after research showed that people with autism have one of the lowest employment rates among people with disabilities.

A catalyst for growth, this investment allows Seven Clean Seas to set up new projects to scale positive environmental impact.

As part of the initiative, ECCA Family has committed US$2 million of strategic funding to spearhead the effort.

Learn more about the current conditions in Thailand and how to pave the way for a plastic-free future.

Listen to the Podcast on tackling the problems of plastic pollution in the ocean.

This study evaluates solutions available to reduce marine plastic pollution in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.