CAPS Spotlight - May 16, 2024
Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS)
A uniquely Asian, independent action-oriented research and advisory organization.
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to share that our latest report, Procurement for Good: Government Procurement from the Social Sector in Asia, is out! Government procurement of goods and services from the social sector can be a win-win for both sides, but it is often underutilized due to capacity constraints and burdensome procurement processes. The first in our policy brief series, this report provides an assessment of the policy landscape of government procurement from the social sector across 17 economies in Asia. With insights from 23 experts and 2,183 social delivery organizations, the policy brief identifies bottlenecks that limit the potential benefits of government procurement from the social sector and proposes a framework for how it can be strengthened.
In other exciting news, please mark your calendars as the fourth iteration of our flagship study, the Doing Good Index 2024 is set to be launched on Tuesday, June 11, 3:00-5:00 PM (GMT+8). Details for the?hybrid launch event will be shared soon, and we would be delighted to have friends both near and far join us. With just under one month to go, the countdown begins!
Best,
Ruth Shapiro , Co-Founder and Chief Executive
Doing Good: The Latest in Asia
Mental health is a pressing issue in India, affecting an estimated 1 in 7 across the country. However, government funding for mental health is lagging, accounting for only 1% of the total health budget. According to a study by the Centre for Asian Philanthropy India (CAPI) , philanthropy is starting to fill the gap. Read more about how philanthropy is helping drive mental health initiatives here.
Faith-based charity can play a crucial role in driving climate action, according to religious scholars in Bangladesh. Zakat is a religious duty for all Muslims above a certain wealth threshold to give to the poor, and in Bangladesh alone, it has the potential to raise up to USD$9.8 billion a year. Read more about how religious financing can help protect climate-vulnerable groups here.
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Amendments to South Korea’s Donations Act have expanded its list of permissible donation methods, including department store gift vouchers and stocks, but there is one notable omission – digital currencies. Read more here.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting requirements continue to expand in Asia, but many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the knowledge and tools required to meet them. Fintech start-ups are emerging to fill the gap, offering free services for SMEs to calculate their emissions, as well as other common ESG data points. Find out more here.
Millions have been displaced from their homes since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, and recent heat waves of up to 48°C have caused severe water shortages, worsening already-challenging circumstances. Efforts by local charities to deliver water to displacement camps have been hampered amid ongoing conflicts and restrictions under military rule. Learn more here.
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