Deadline 31 March 2024 

Programme Overview

The ASEAN Foundation, with the support of TikTok and SAP, launches the ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Program 3.0 (ASEAN SEDP 3.0). This programme aims to support social enterprises in the ASEAN region with access to more significant opportunities to improve their ventures through (1) Promoting productivity, technology and innovation; (2) Increasing access to finance; (3) Enhancing market access and internationalisation; and (4) 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.

ASEAN SEDP aligns with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Social Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025, and the UN SDGs, and mainly 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 access to the market, and

Objective

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:

1. To empower youth-led social enterprises through product refinement, business model improvement, and mentoring.
2. To increase investor access to sources of funding for participating youth-led social enterprises.
3. To improve the social impacts generated by participating social enterprises.
4. To engage ASEAN youth-led social enterprises in the national and regional policy-making processes with the government and other key stakeholders in ASEAN.
5. 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

Eligibility and Qualification

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:

1. 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 ASEAN nationals.
2. All 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 Vietnam.
3. If selected, the project leader must be fully committed to participating in the full cycle of the ASEAN SEDP 2.0 Though not mandatory, it is possible for the project leader to invite additional team members to participate in the programme.
4. 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.
5. Some team members must have good English as the entire programme will be delivered in

Process and Timeline

Stage 1 – Programme Launching

The programme will be launched online in early February 2024

Stage 2 – Call for Applications (9 February – 31 March 2024)

Interested social enterprises may register their application through bit.ly/ASEANSEDP3

Stage 3 – Shortlisting (April 2024)

Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email to attend an online interview.

Stage 4 – Interview (April – May 2024)

30 social enterprises from 10 ASEAN Countries will be selected to participate in ASEAN SEDP 3.0

Stage 5 – Capacity-Building Training and Mentoring (June – December 2024)

Virtual capacity-building training will take two months, from June to July 2024. In addition to this, mentoring sessions are held from June to December 2024.

Stage 6 – Virtual Demo Day and Seed Grant Selection (August 2024)

The SEs will pitch their project proposal. Top-performing social enterprises will stand a chance to win seed grants totalling up to 40,000 USD.

Stage 7 – Business Matchmaking and Networking (September/October 2024)

Social enterprises will join one-on-one sessions with investors and attend Networking Events with ASEAN governments

Stage 8 – Project Implementation by Social Enterprises (September to November 2024)

Social enterprises will implement the project that they previously pitched during Demo Day.

Benefits of the Programme

1. Tailored Curriculum
   
   A tailored training and mentoring curriculum will be developed based on the unique needs of the respective social enterprise.
   
   
2. Mentoring with Experts from TikTok and SAP
   
   Each social enterprise will be paired with TikTok and SAP mentors, who will assist the learning journey in TikTok content creation and business operations.
   
   
3. Leverage Your Social Enterprise on TikTok 
   
   Social enterprises will receive free TikTok credits to enhance their online engagement/reach and leverage their impact.
   
   
4. Networking with Investors
   
   The social enterprises will join one-on-one sessions with investors during Business Matchmaking.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. Visibility and Opportunities
   
   The social enterprises will present their project initiatives and products. Top-performing social enterprises will stand the chance to win seed grants of up to 40,000 USD to implement their proposed project.

Assessment Criteria

1. Social Impact
2. Product Feasibility
3. Market Attractiveness
4. Business Model Scalability
5. Financial Health
6. Founder & Team Composition
7. PR and Communication

How to Apply

All interested social enterprises are required to apply to the programme by completing the application form on the following link bit.ly/ASEANSEDP3 by 31 March 2024. Applications submitted to other channels will not be considered. Incomplete completion of  the form will not be further processed for shortlisting. For enquiries, please contact [email protected]