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Coca-Cola Foundation’s ‘Namthip Gives Back’ project was launched years ago, with the aim to help disaster victims across the country.

In past years, the project has donated and delivered Bt6 million worth of ‘Namthip’ drinking water through Coca-Cola’s logistics networks with 1,600 trucks from 60 warehouses nationwide.

Throughout the past eight years, 1.2 million victims have been helped through the ‘Namthip gives back’ project.

The water was donated in cooperation with the Relief and Community Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society.

Positive responses recently encouraged the foundation to extend the project for another three years, through 2018.

Enjoying science: TVET’s hub in Chiang Mai

More projects are being carried out under the Chevron Enjoy Science scheme.

A memorandum of understanding was recently signed to establish a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) regional hub in Chiang Mai, under the project initiated by Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production in partnership with Kenan Institute Asia and the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI).

The TVET Hub, one of the six such hubs across Thailand, is set to be established to help develop a highly trained workforce by providing knowledge and skills for vocational students and teachers and to ensure Thailand’s future economic competitiveness.

Representing Chevron Thailand at the event was Hatairat Articharte, policy, government and public affairs manager, together with Kenan president Piyabutr Cholvijarn, STI deputy secretary general Dr Kitipong Promwong and RMUTL president, Associate Professor Dr Namyut Songthanapitak.

Chiang Mai University will work with the Enjoy Science project to become host for the project’s TVET hub to develop teaching and research skills of teachers and school administrators as well as promote TVET learning of participating schools in the region.

Banpu Champions stand up for social change

Banpu, an energy company in Asia, has collaborated with Change Fusion, a non-profit institute under the Thai Rural Reconstruction Movement Foundation by the Royal Patronage, to launch Banpu Champions for Change 6.

This new launch reinforces the companies stand for social change for the sixth consecutive year, by nurturing new generations of Social Entrepreneurs (SE) who create positive change in their society, community and the environment, while also achieving profitable growth and operating sustainably.

Social Entrepreneurs between the ages of 20-35years can form groups of up to 4 people to propose their social enterprise initiatives. Selected SE teams will be provided with the fundamental skills and mentoring which are required to turn their initiatives into concrete social enterprises. Banpu Champions for Change 6 is open for application now until February 29. More information is available on its Facebook page facebook.com/banpuchampions.

“Recognizing that social enterprises help drive Thailand’s socio-economic growth, Banpu launched the programme in 2011 to support prospective social entrepreneurs in a holistic approach, meaning that not only do these social entrepreneurs receive financial support from Banpu, but they are also equipped with the necessary skills by mentors in a variety of related fields.

In addition, the participants obtain connections with fellow social entrepreneurs, both those new to the field and those with experience. This will lead to a drive for change and the sustainable development which is reflected in Banpu’s philosophy; “learning is the power of change and development,” the company’s head of corporate affairs Udomlux Olarn said.

The participating social enterprises will be screened by judges, including representatives from Change Fusion, Banpu and industry experts. The 20 successful enterprises will attend workshops to develop and refine their social enterprise models.

Following this, 10 of the social enterprises which have developed an outstanding plan will each receive Bt50,000 to run their business for three months. Four teams with the most outstanding business performance and progress within the three months will be selected to receive a Bt200,000 grant each, to continue their second phase implementation for another five months.

Throughout the programme, the young social entrepreneurs will receive advice and attend workshops on business, marketing, branding, finance and social impact assessment with industry experts to develop the skills needed to grow their business and contribute to society. At the same time, they will get to run their business while exchanging their experience with mentors and alumni, in order to gain new insights and ideas to further develop their business.