ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) 3.0 | Apply Now!

February 23, 2024

The ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Programme (ASEAN SEDP) 3.0 serves as a guiding force for social innovators across Southeast Asia, offering a platform to ignite positive change and sustainable development. Created to promote social entrepreneurship, this initiative provides a comprehensive support system to empower enterprises to make a meaningful impact in diverse sectors.

ASEAN SEDP aligns with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Social Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025, and the UN SDGs. It primarily supports the following ASEAN work plans:

ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016 – 2025,
ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021 – 2025,
ASEAN Comprehensive Framework to address the ongoing pandemic by supporting human capital development, promoting MSME digital upskilling, and enhancing market access.

Deadline

One of the crucial aspects of the ASEAN SEDP 3.0 is adhering to a strict deadline(31 March 2024).Aspiring social entrepreneurs are encouraged to stay vigilant about submission timelines, ensuring their innovative projects align with the specified timeframe. The deadline for applications is typically announced well in advance, offering applicants ample time to prepare and submit their proposals.

Funding Amount

Social enterprises that excel have the opportunity to receive seed grants of up to 40,000 USD for implementing their proposed projects.

ASEAN SEDP’s Alignment and Support

The ASEAN SEDP is closely aligned with key ASEAN initiatives, including the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), ASEAN Social Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its primary focus involves robust support for specific ASEAN work plans, notably:

ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016 – 2025: The ASEAN SEDP actively contributes to the strategic goals outlined in the ASEAN plan for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from 2016 to 2025.
ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021 – 2025: The program is dedicated to advancing the objectives laid out in the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth, spanning the period from 2021 to 2025.
ASEAN Comprehensive Framework to Address the Ongoing Pandemic: In response to the current global challenges, the ASEAN SEDP plays a crucial role in supporting the comprehensive framework designed to address the ongoing pandemic. This includes a focus on human capital development, facilitating digital upskilling for MSMEs, and enhancing market access for these enterprises.

Objective: ASEAN-SEDP

The ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with TikTok and SAP, launches the ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme (ASEAN-SEDP) with the following goals:

Empowerment: Empower youth-led social enterprises by refining products, enhancing business models, and providing mentoring.
Access to Funding: Increase investor access to funding sources for participating youth-led social enterprises.
Social Impact Improvement: Enhance the social impacts generated by participating social enterprises.
Youth Engagement: Engage ASEAN youth-led social enterprises in national and regional policy-making processes with governments and other key stakeholders.
UN SDG Contribution: Contribute to one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including but not limited to:
No Poverty (SDG 1)
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3)
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Climate Action (with specified targets detailed in the challenges section for SDG 13)
Life Below Water (SDG 14)
Life on Land (SDG 15)
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Program Benefits

Social enterprises excelling in the ASEAN SEDP 3.0 can enjoy various benefits, including:

Tailored Learning: Receive a customized training and mentoring curriculum tailored to the specific needs of your social enterprise.
Expert Mentoring: Be paired with mentors from TikTok and SAP, experts in content creation and business operations, guiding your learning journey.
TikTok Exposure: Access free TikTok credits to boost online engagement and extend the reach of your social enterprise’s impact.
Investor Networking: Engage in one-on-one sessions with investors during Business Matchmaking to explore funding opportunities.
Policy Engagement: Connect with ASEAN sectoral bodies, including ACCMSME and SOMY officials, to showcase your social enterprise’s impacts.
Visibility and Opportunities: Present your project initiatives and products, with top-performing social enterprises standing a chance to win seed grants of up to $40,000 for project implementation.

Eligibility Criteria of ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Programme

To qualify for the ASEAN SEDP 3.0, social enterprises should meet the following criteria:

Age and Nationality: Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, or team members must be aged between 18 and 35. Participants must be ASEAN nationals residing in one of the 10 ASEAN countries.
Residency Requirement: All team members must currently reside in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam.
Commitment: Project leader must commit to the entire ASEAN SEDP 2.0 cycle. Optional inclusion of additional team members in the program.
Enterprise Viability: Social enterprises must possess at least one viable product, with a preference for those already generating revenue.
Language Proficiency: Adequate English proficiency is recommended, as the entire program will be delivered in English.
Focus Areas: Demonstrate a clear focus on areas such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, or poverty alleviation.
Innovative Approach: Showcase an innovative approach to addressing social challenges and creating positive change.
Scale of Impact: Highlight the potential for scalability and a significant impact on communities.

Ineligibility

Projects may be deemed ineligible for the ASEAN SEDP 3.0 based on certain criteria:

Profit-Centric Focus:

Enterprises primarily focused on profit generation without a clear social impact may be ineligible.

Ethical Non-compliance:

Projects with a history of non-compliance with ethical standards may face ineligibility.

How to Apply

Follow these steps for a successful application:

Visit the Official Website:

Access the most accurate and up-to-date information on the ASEAN SEDP 3.0 website.https://www.aseanfoundation.org/asean_social_enterprises_development_programme_asean_sedp_3_0_is_open_for_applications

Review Eligibility Criteria:

Ensure your social enterprise aligns with the specified criteria before starting the application process.

Prepare Documentation:

Gather comprehensive documentation outlining your mission, impact metrics, and scalability plans. Include supporting evidence such as case studies and testimonials.

Complete Application Form:

Fill out the application form accurately, clearly articulating your social mission and innovative approach.

Submit on Time:

Adhere to the specified deadline for submissions, ensuring your application is within the timeframe.

Stay Informed:

Regularly check the official website for updates, announcements, and additional information related to the application process.

Documentation Requirements

Prepare the following documents for your ASEAN SEDP 3.0 application:
Mission statement of your social enterprise
Impact metrics and data
Plans for scalability
Supporting evidence (case studies, testimonials)
Any additional documents specified in the application guidelines

Program Timeline: ASEAN SEDP 3.0

Program Launch (Early February 2024): Official launch online.
Call for Applications (9 February – 31 March 2024): Interested social enterprises can apply via bit.ly/ASEANSEDP3.
Shortlisting (April 2024): Shortlisted candidates notified for online interviews.
Interviews (April – May 2024): Selection of 30 social enterprises from 10 ASEAN countries.
Capacity-Building and Mentoring (June – December 2024): Two-month virtual capacity-building training (June–July). Ongoing mentoring sessions (June–December).
Virtual Demo Day and Seed Grant Selection (August 2024): Social enterprises pitch project proposals. Top performers are eligible for seed grants up to $40,000.
Business Matchmaking and Networking (Sept/Oct 2024): One-on-one sessions with investors. Networking events with ASEAN governments.
Project Implementation (Sept – Nov 2024): Social enterprises execute previously pitched projects.

Conclusion:

The ASEAN SEDP 3.0 is a transformative initiative that nurtures social innovation and amplifies the impact of enterprises dedicated to positive change. By understanding the application process, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements, aspiring social entrepreneurs can maximize their chances of success in this impactful programme. For the latest and most accurate information, potential participants should regularly visit the official website of the ASEAN SEDP 3.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can social enterprises showcase innovation in their approach?

Social enterprises should highlight their innovative approach to addressing social challenges and creating positive change within their communities.

Can enterprises focused on profit generation apply for the ASEAN SEDP 3.0?

The program generally focuses on social enterprises with a clear social impact; those primarily focused on profit generation without a social impact may be ineligible.

What documentation is required for the application process?

Applicants must prepare documentation outlining their mission, impact metrics, scalability plans, and supporting evidence such as case studies and testimonials.

CHECK THESE OUT: