The ASEAN Social Enterprise Development Programme 4.0 (ASEAN SEDP 4.0) is officially open for applications!

We’re calling all social enterprises from the ten ASEAN countries to apply!

Apply here by 31 March 2025, 23:59 (GMT+7)

Inquiries: [email protected]

Programme Overview

The ASEAN Foundation, with the support of TikTok and SAP, launches the ASEAN Social Enterprises Development Program 4.0 (ASEAN SEDP 4.0). 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, and
• ASEAN Comprehensive Framework to address the ongoing pandemic by supporting human capital development, promoting MSME digital upskilling and access to the market

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 are ASEAN nationals or Timor-Leste national.
2. The Founder, Co-Founder, CEO, or 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 Viet Nam, or Timor-Leste.
3. If selected, the Founder/Co-Founder or C-level must be fully committed to participating in the full cycle of the ASEAN SEDP 4.0 Though not mandatory, it is possible for the Founder/Co-Founder or C-level 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. The participating Founder/Co-Founder or C-level must have good English as the entire programme will be delivered in
6. The social enterprises generate impacts, which address social or environmental issues, and target marginalised and vulnerable communities as beneficiaries.

Process and Timeline

Stage 1 – Call for Applications (10 February – 31 March 2025)

Interested social enterprises may register their application through bit.ly/ASEANSEDP4form

Stage 2 – Shortlisting (April 2025)

All applicants will be assessed and shortlisted into the Top 45.

Stage 3 – Interview and Selection (April – May 2025)

45 shortlisted social enterprises from 10 ASEAN Countries will be interviewed, and 30 of them will be selected to participate in ASEAN SEDP 4.0.

Stage 4 – Need-Assessment Survey Distribution (May 2025)

Selected 30 social enterprises will fill in need-assessment survey. The survey results will be used to develop the tailored training and mentoring curriculum

Stage 5 – Capacity-Building Training and Mentoring (June – December 2025)

Virtual customised capacity-building training will take two months from June to July 2025. In addition to this, mentoring sessions are held from June to December 2025.

Stage 6 – Virtual Demo Day and Seed Grants Selection (August 2025)

The 30 social enterprises will pitch their project proposals. The panelists will select 6 – 7 winning social enterprises with the 1^st winner standing a chance to win the seed grant totalling up to 7,000 USD. The rest of the social enterprises will be provided with mini-grants.

Stage 7 – Business Matchmaking and Networking (around September-November 2025)

Representatives from 30 social enterprises will join one-on-one sessions with investors and attend Networking Events with ASEAN governments which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Stage 8 – Project Implementation by Social Enterprises (September to November 2025)

30 social enterprises will implement their projects 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 SAP and Industry Experts
   Each social enterprise will be paired with SAP and Industry Expert mentors, who will assist the learning journey in business operations.
   
   
3.  Leverage Your Social Enterprise on TikTok
   Social enterprises will learn TikTok content creation, TikTok LIVE, and TikTok Shop from TikTok professionals and content creators. In addition, 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. Seed-Grant Opportunities
   6 – 7 social enterprises will have the opportunity to receive the seed-grants with the 1^st winner standing a chance to win the seed grant totalling up to 7,000 USD. The rest of the social enterprises will be provided with mini-grants.

Assessment Criteria

1. Social Impact
2. Product & Innovation
3. Market Attractiveness
4. Business Model Scalability
5. Financial Health
6. Team & Organisation
7. Digital Presence & Communications

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/ASEANSEDP4form by 31 March 2025 23:59 (GMT+7). 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]