Buy Social’s Post

📢 Introducing Equitech: Advancing Equity Through Technology in Southeast Asia 🌍 Equitech Collective (‘Equitech’) is a team of practitioners with expertise in service design, innovation, software engineering, product development, operations, change management, and impact measurement. Our Mission:  We come together to build technology and team innovations that catalyze systemic breakthroughs, for a more equitable future. Our Vision:  We envision a world where technology is a transformative force for a more equitable future, and not limited to those with resources. For us, this means building #digital public goods at scale, and partnering with impact-led organisations to elevate their capacity for innovation. We aim to be #hyperlocal in the way we build: this means combining global expertise with local ingenuity, and building local capacity that can endure beyond time-bound collaborations. We focus on areas where small changes can make a big difference – from #health to #education, we understand problems, test solutions, and create #sustainable impact. We believe that technology is not a silver bullet; we invest in the process and time it takes to enable our partners to initiate, design operational workflows, deploy technology, and measure the success of innovation efforts. Join Us on This Journey: Equitech is a hybrid of a social enterprise and a non-profit incorporated in Singapore, with operations across projects in Southeast Asia, primarily in Thailand, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Follow our newly launched LinkedIn page for updates, impact stories, and opportunities to get involved! #Equitech #TechForGood #EquityInAction #SoutheastAsia #EducationForAll #HealthcareForAll #NonProfit

💡 #BuySocialEuropeB2B Social Procurement Case Study 💡 💚 AfB is Europe’s largest non-profit IT company. They contribute to the circular economy by collecting, refurbishing and remarketing used IT and mobile devices from corporate clients. But their primary mission is to help people with severe disabilities enter the labor market. Currently, employees with disabilities represent half of the company’s workforce. 🤝 AfB has been partnering with Siemens for over 10 years. What began as a small initiative with one local branch, today has scaled to a nationwide cooperation with Siemens Germany, covering over 80,000 IT workplaces where hardware needs regular replacement for security or technological reasons. The impact: 💼 14 jobs created for people with disabilities 💻 115,000 devices from Siemens, with a total weight of 678.30 tons, were remanufactured ♻️ 10,780,094 liters of water, 41,989,125 kWh of primary energy and 5,859,159 kg of raw materials were saved thanks to refurbishment, compared to new production. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eATiwNhS 🤝 Buy Social Europe B2B is co-funded by the EU within the Single Market Programme and by SAP and implemented in partnership between Euclid Network, Social Enterprise World Forum, Social Enterprise UK, Yunus Social Business, Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Deutschland (SEND), Social Enterprise NL, Reach for Change, the Sustainable Procurement Pledge, Zurich Insurance and national country partners.

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗦𝗥 has never been more crucial. It holds the key to finding scalable solutions to contemporary development sector challenges. Globally, companies are harnessing their core expertise to pioneer solutions with far-reaching impact. However, an insight from our survey during #dusspokeindiainc suggests that in India, fewer than 35% companies actively leverage their core competencies to amplify the impact of their CSR initiatives. Fast Company's global list of the most innovative companies in CSR for 2024 showcases some interesting initiatives driving this change. These efforts provide a roadmap for envisioning a future where innovative solutions are not only funded but also driven by corporate philanthropy and offer an opportunity to shape social development endeavors. Here are just a few of those initiatives. While this list is merely a snapshot, it offers a glimpse into how companies can leverage their philanthropic capital to drive innovation. From unique solutions to scalable endeavors, these initiatives are great examples of the power of CSR to catalyze positive change. We'd love to hear from you! Please share in the comments other innovative CSR initiatives you've come across or been involved in. #CSR #Innovation #SocialImpact #CorporateSocialResponsibility

Here are snapshots of some innovative initiatives that were part of Fast Company's global list of most innovative companies in CSR. These are great examples of how CSR initiatives can harness a company's market influence to catalyze significant sector-wide changes or help identify ways to reduce negative environmental or social impact of their operations. Our country's annual spend on CSR has steadily grown to almost 3x from FY15 to FY24, and is expected to more than triple to~₹120k crores by FY34. The  #duspokeindiainc survey showed that 33% of orgs surveyed don't currently leverage their assets, competencies and connections to amplify the impact of CSR. However, the survey also revealed 59% of CSR are willing to spend on innovative pilots and projects that require high risk tolerance. What are some ways in which we leverage this growing capital to solve some of India's most pressing problems? #CSR #CorporateSocialResponsibility #Innovation #socialimpact #socialresponsibility

🌟 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 🌟 At 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗵 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, we believe in shaping a brighter future by investing in what matters most: people and possibilities. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Friendshifts to inspire and empower youth in Togo, India, and Jordan through technology in 2024. Together, we’re: ✔️ Supporting young innovators to unlock their potential ✔️ Sharing knowledge to drive technological advancement ✔️ Building a foundation for a smarter, more connected tomorrow This initiative isn’t just about technology; it’s about connection, opportunity, and impact. It’s about giving back to underprivileged young people that inspire us every day. 👉 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 about how we’re making a difference:https://lnkd.in/dqdEv64f 📖 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:  https://lnkd.in/drtQatBf 💡 Join us in celebrating the power of innovation, collaboration, and youth. 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦. 🚀 Marieke van der Laan Silke Frauenhoffer Alexandra Ciorascu 👏 #EmpoweringYouth #TechnologyForGood #Innovation #FutureLeaders #TechForChange #Collaboration #YouthEmpowerment #AMORPH

The Women Innovators (WIn) Fellowship recently hosted a workshop, exploring the transformative power of digital technology in Saudi Arabia's startup ecosystem. Insightful discussions led by industry experts highlighted the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in this evolving landscape, emphasizing the importance of regulatory balance and technological innovation. Manal AlNemari, Consultant of digital health transformation at the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, highlighted success stories like Seha Virtual Hospital, underlining technology's pivotal role in healthcare. Despite progress, hurdles like access to financing and scaling beyond micro-level businesses persist. Therefore, collaborative initiatives like Google, SDAIA’s Elevate, as well as the WIn Fellowship are crucial for highlighting successful women in business, thereby instilling confidence in others to follow suit. #WomenInTech #DigitalTransformation #SaudiArabia #KSA

Join us in welcoming Open Circle Capital, our new coalition member based in Lithuania. 👋🏼 Open Circle Capital (OCC) is bridging the market entry gap for its portfolio by testing market readiness for healthtech solutions through its partners in Helsinki Planetary Health Hub. Once the product has successfully entered the European market, OCC helps to move it to the US market by connecting to customers, partners or potential acquirers. They aim to identify local opportunities and assist companies with scaling through their international network. 🌍 "Cleantech can be applied within multiple industries, so I think its impact will be very holistic. It might be difficult to measure on an individual basis, but businesses within different industries will have no other chance but to consider the cleantech aspect when choosing their next steps, the same way ESG got integrated into decision-making structures. Such mindset changes are slow but undoubtedly steady," says Klaudija Budreikaitė, Principal at Open Circle Capital. #opencirclecapital #cleantech

What do you need? I recently travelled to Namibia to take part in an Innovation Challenge organised by the YALI RLC-SA for alumni of the programme. We spent two days preparing our business or social enterprise pitches and presented to a panel of potential funders on the third. My pitch sounded different on each of those days, and my peers grew more and more confused as this happened. Reading the room only elevated my nerves, and my pitch on the third day fell to pieces, and this resulted in the people in the room not hearing my solution to a problem so many of them had highlighted throughout the Innovation Challenge. The Network of Entrepreneurs Readers & Designers in Africa is essentially a failed venture that I am trying to revive. Recognising the limitations that working in silos places on youth-focused and youth-run initiates, I came up with the concept back in 2012 while serving as the Continental Secretary of the Organisation of African Youth. I, however, have over the years kept making the same mistakes that I was trying to solve with the Network, and keep coming up short. "What do you need?" Asking myself this question, when my first instinct is to ask it to others, has been a challenging exercise. It was only in making a commitment to the The Graça Machel Trust Women Creating Wealth Programme and Amplify | Mobilise | Change: Online communication tools for civil society, and reconnecting with the YALI Network that I began to lean into the community of women that is willing to share their expertise, making clearer what I was struggling to articulate. "I am so used to doing everything on my own," a woman said to me this week; and of course I resonated with that and its problematics. Yet, in Africa we say, "If you want to go far, go together." As we celebrate Women in this month, it is my hope... my wish, that more of us learn again (with open hearts) to ask for what we need, both from ourselves, and from others. *** Imagine a continent-wide collaborative ecosystem of youth-championed initiatives, organisations, and businesses. Imagine the social impact of similar initiatives working together at scale. Imagine the development data that could be mined from such a network. Imagine all this at the click of a button. My name is Tumelo Motaung and I need help in developing a strategy on how to viably bring the network to life. Can you help me? *** #collaboration #network #youth #Africa #women

🌍 Latest news of Innovation in NGOs + Call for new Members! The Innovation for Impact Network hosted its cornerstone event for our vibrant community of practice that unites Innovation Leaders from 23 INGOs and UN Agencies. I had the privilege of joining 12 incredible innovation leaders from 11 organizations in the beautiful setting of Croatia. This year's gathering was not just a meeting but a melting pot of ideas, driving us towards stronger collaboration and more impactful joint initiatives. We focused on creating concrete solutions and actionable strategies that not only support our individual missions but also empower the broader sector on common topics such as scaling, GenAI, Innovation culture and funding models for INGOs. 👉  Apply to join Our Network here: https://lnkd.in/d3ZUfcPk If you're an innovator at an INGO or UN Agency and eager to make a difference, we have good news: 5 spots are open for new members! This is your chance to be part of a network where change-makers converge to redefine what's possible. 🎥 To get a feel of the community and the topics that Innovation Leads are currently thinking about- check out the highlights video from the gathering! https://lnkd.in/dMVufVmQ  🌟About the network: https://lnkd.in/dFy6kDjN  #InnovationForImpact #INGOInnovation #GlobalCollaboration #UNInnovation #ImpactfulChange #ScalingInnovation #GenAI #InnovationCulture #INGOLeaders #SocialImpact #InnovationNetwork #FundingModels #InnovationSummit #MakeADifference #InnovationLeaders #JoinTheNetwork #Changemakers #FutureOfNGOs #InnovatorsUnite #SustainableInnovation

Exciting Day at the Mastercard Foundation 2024 Annual Partners Learning Summit! 🌟 Today the Mastercard Foundation has brought together its partners under the theme: “Progress Towards 2030: Improving Execution to Accelerate Impact” and the halls are BUZZING with energy!!! Samuel Yalew Adela Country Director, gave a very interesting reflection of the last year and highlighted the below learnings and achievements: From celebrating USD 750 million committed to youth employment initiatives, to focusing on creating 10 Million youth dignified jobs in Ethiopia, of which 7 million are planned to be women. Understanding the context of the Ethiopian employment sector, the following challenges have been identified and reframed as an opportunity and key leverages to meet the set targets and drive tangible impact: 📌 Youth & Women Access to Finance 📌 Sectoral Focus (Agri, health, Mfg) 📌 Capitalization on Digital Economy 📌 Entrepreneurship 📌Workforce Development However at the center of these initiatives, collaboration, co-creation and strategic partnership are playing a central and critical role!!!! Collaboration is at the heart of the event as partners showcase their initiatives and impact, youth and women empowered, implementing partners highlighting roles played in the ecosystem. Strategic partnerships with Financial institutions, Digital and tech firms, innovative and diverse PS, Educational institutions and youth & women led organizations to empower urban, rural, and peri-urban communities nationwide. As the stage is set for transformative conversations, we’re reminded of the vital role partnerships, private sector innovation and expertise and youth-led initiatives play in shaping a sustainable future. Stay tuned for updates from Mastercard Foundation as the day unfolds and meaningful discussions continue to chart a clearer path to 2030! #YouthEmployment #DigitalEconomy #Partnerships #Entrepreneurship #Ethiopia2030 #MastercardFoundation #LearningSummit ACE Investment and Impact AdvisorsKifiya Financial Technology PLCFirst ConsultMesirat EthiopiaMunir DuriMenna Tafesse GaredewPazion Cherinet Orbit Health