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- $5 million in grants: AVPN is funding 18 non-profits to develop tech-driven solutions for climate and sustainability challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Focus on technology: The grantees will use cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and cloud computing to tackle critical areas such as renewable energy, waste management, and biodiversity.
- Support and visibility: AVPN’s Sustainability Solutions Lab will provide technical support and increase the visibility of successful projects to maximize impact.
AVPN, Asia’s largest network of social investors, has awarded $5 million in grants through its APAC Sustainability Seed Fund (SSF) 2.0. Supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this initiative will fund 18 non-profit organizations to implement innovative, technology-driven solutions addressing climate and sustainability challenges across the Asia-Pacific region.
Expanding Climate Innovation
Building on the success of its previous fund, SSF 2.0 aims to scale solutions in key areas such as renewable energy, decarbonization, climate adaptation, waste management, and biodiversity protection. Grantees from various countries, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, and others, will leverage advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and cloud computing to tackle these urgent issues.
Strategic Partnerships and Support
The APAC Sustainability Solutions Lab, launched in June 2024 with an additional $2 million grant from Google.org, will serve as a resource hub for grantees from both SSF 1.0 and 2.0. This Lab will provide technical capacity building, develop impactful case studies, and facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to enhance the impact of these projects.
Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, stated, “At AVPN, we recognize capital—financial, human, and intellectual—is crucial for advancing climate innovations often overlooked by traditional funding mechanisms. By mobilizing these resources, we can support and unlock the potential of these innovations to help the region adapt and respond to climate impacts.“
Commitment to Resilience
The Asia-Pacific region, home to seven of the world’s ten most climate-vulnerable countries, faces significant threats from climate change, including economic losses exceeding $36 billion in 2022 alone. By funding these initiatives, AVPN and its partners aim to foster scalable solutions and accelerate collaborative efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient future for the region.
Andrew Ure, Managing Director at Google, emphasized, “The Asia-Pacific region faces significant vulnerabilities due to climate change. However, amidst this challenge lies tremendous opportunity. Organizations, social investors, and researchers across the region are uniting to develop innovative solutions, leveraging technologies like AI to address this critical issue.“
Leveraging Digital Solutions
Stephanie King-Chung Hung, Chief Information Officer at ADB, highlighted the role of digital solutions in addressing climate challenges: “Advanced digital solutions are pivotal in boosting resilience and adaptive capacities. Our support for the Fund underscores the importance of targeted financing in promoting these innovations.”
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Through these efforts, AVPN and its partners aim to enhance the capacity and visibility of grantees, enabling them to showcase their solutions to investors, governments, and other stakeholders, and ultimately scale their innovations to achieve lasting impact in the Asia-Pacific region.