[26 October 2009]
Eight innovative projects of social impact in Asia win S$1 million

Singapore, 26 October 2009 - The Lien Centre for Social Innovation at Singapore Management University (Lien Centre at SMU) is pleased to announce the winners of the S$1million Lien i3 Challenge. Eight innovative social projects that best demonstrate Innovation, Impact and Implementability – the i3 – for communities in Asia, have won a share of the S$1 million prize money. They are:

? HeroRAT (implementation in Thailand) by Bart Weetjens, APOPO (based in Tanzania)
? Justice Training Centre (implementation in Singapore & Asia) by Karen Tse, International Bridges to Justice (based in Switzerland)
? MIRA (implementation in Cambodia) by Jens Thang, MIRA (based in Singapore)
? Interlocking Bricks (implementation in Batam) by Yong Teck Meng, Habitat for Humanity Singapore (based in Singapore)
? City Discards Rural Resource (implementation in India) by Anshu Gupta (based in India)
? Intelligent Walking Aid (implementation in Singapore) by Maimunah Nokman (based in Singapore)
? Shilpa Sayura e-School (implementation in Sri Lanka) by Niranjan Meegammana (based in Sri Lanka)
? Barrett Steam Pump (implementation in Cambodia) by Yvan Perrin (based in Switzerland)

The Lien i3 Challenge is organised by the Lien Centre at SMU, a partnership between the Lien Foundation and SMU to enhance and grow the non-profit sector through social innovation. The Challenge was launched in January 2009 with the aim of catalysing social innovations by organisations or individuals worldwide for the benefit of communities in Asia (See Annex 1). An overwhelming 648 proposals from 15 countries were received. A panel of judges comprising leaders from the social and business sectors then shortlisted 12 entries to further develop their proposals and make their presentations, before deciding on the final eight winners of the Challenge.

Projects by the i3 winners addressed various causes, from humanitarian, delivery of a social service, reducing poverty through empowerment, environmental renewal or those areas not adequately addressed by governments or other organisations. They each won a share of the S$1 million grant money ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. The grant money they each took away covers from 50% to 100% of their project's estimated budget. The eight winners are required to implement their projects within one year. See Annex 2 for details of each winning project.

“We received so many great ideas, the decision was not easy. We had a rigorous screening process. The result was a diversity of winners, from young start-ups to established social organisations. All are very committed to see through their projects until completion. They are worthy of the recognition and financial support rendered by the Challenge. I look forward to seeing their projects come into fruition in the near future, “ said Mr Willie Cheng, Chairman of the Lien Centre at SMU.

Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU said, “ I congratulate the winners of the Lien i3 Challenge. They have demonstrated that it is possible to affect and improve the lives of many people through modest means. They serve as great models of inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators and I wish them every success as they embark on the implementation of their projects.”

The Lien i3 Challenge is supported by the Ashoka Foundation, The Straits Times and the Social Innovation eXchange (SIX).

Annex 1 – About the Lien i3 Challenge

Annex 2 – The Lien i3 Challenge Winners

About the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at SMU

The Lien Centre for Social Innovation, a partnership between the Lien Foundation and Singapore Management University (SMU), was established in 2006 to advance the thinking and capability of the not-for-profit sector. Social innovations are new ideas and insights implemented to create impactful social value. The Lien Centre exists for the non-profit sector and works through a diverse range of stakeholders in the social ecosystem. Based in Singapore, the Lien Centre posits itself in enabling global thinking and best practices related to social innovation in Singapore and beyond. www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg