LIFESTYLE

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Banyan Tree Global Foundation launched the inaugural Greater Good Grants (GGG) in 2020 to support impactful initiatives that benefit local communities and environments where the Group operates. It is now opened for GGG project entries for the year 2022, prioritising timely projects that will tackle contemporary issues, impacted by Covid-19.

The Grant was announced at a critical time, as the pandemic was affecting people and livelihoods and forced more to tap on natural resources to ease economic damage. There are also reports of funding being pulled from various conservation initiatives and cultural heritage projects across the world.

As a global hospitality group founded on the core value of driving sustainable development, Banyan Tree Group has always championed social and environmental causes and sought to create long-term value for multiple stakeholders and destinations. Its first property, Banyan Tree Phuket, was built on a desecrated tin mining site, after the land was restored into a lush natural ecosystem.

The first round of GGG saw eight NGOs selected based on their projects that fall under one of the six focal areas: Biodiversity & Conservation, Resource Use & Waste Management, Climate Change & Resilience, Education & Empowerment, Health & Protection and Culture & Livelihood. These align with the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) and the Group‘s core ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”.

Celebrating The Inaugural Impact

Most of the inaugural projects focused on protecting our natural world, including the habitats and ecosystems of Borneo’s rainforests, Mahakam Delta in Indonesia, Bach Ma National Park in Vietnam, and Anlung Pring Wetlands in Cambodia.

So far, there has been encouraging progress. For example, the Anlung Pring Wetlands project for example, aims to tackle agricultural waste in order to protect a threatened waterbird species known as the Sarus Crane. Within the first 3 months, at least 990 pieces of toxic waste were diverted for proper disposal after installing dedicated waste storage boxes and active awareness-raising programmes with locals.

Other initiatives are people-centric. The water sanitation project in Bumi Indah village, Indonesia by LooLa Adventure Resort changed the lives of approximately 180 villagers. The entire village was cleaned of plastic waste – which turned into construction material. All 37 households were given access to clean water, upgraded bathroom and kitchen facilities, as well as start-up funds for micro-farming to enhance livelihood.

Forging Ahead with GGG for Year 2022

Now, Banyan Tree Global Foundation is prioritising projects that will tackle contemporary issues – some of which have arisen in light of the ongoing and developing impacts of Covid-19.  Thus, the main focus areas for projects include:

·     Physical, mental health and wellbeing of women and children in indigenous communities

·     Fresh water access, sanitation, health and hygiene

·     Control of mosquito-borne diseases

·     Alternative livelihood development that promotes or protects local culture 

·     Management of food waste

·     Remote access to education and learning

“The ongoing pandemic has affected many people in one way or another, but the indigenous communities are especially vulnerable. We hope to connect with projects related to cultural and social environments and provide them with seed funding to get underway. At the same time, society as a whole is also facing other pressing issues such as mosquito-borne disease and food waste, which have to be addressed urgently,” says Dr Steve Newman, Assistant Vice President, Group Sustainability Director and Coordinating Director of Banyan Tree Global Foundation.

To ensure effectiveness in the long run, each project is assessed based on its demonstrated need and urgency; leverage of local, regional and national partnerships to deliver measurable impact; and scalability with clear evaluation of success.

The closing date for project proposal submissions is 12AM (GMT +8) on 30 September 2021, and funds will be issued in January 2022.Project grants are up to US$10,000, and organisation affiliation is required to receive and administer the grant. Submissions will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of Banyan Tree Global Foundation and an internal panel of stakeholders.

Ms Claire Chiang, Co-founder & Senior Vice President of Banyan Tree Group and Chairperson of Banyan Tree Global Foundation says: “To further drive sustainability stewardship, we seek to extend greater impact through partnerships. Tourism has significant transformative power in the face of unprecedented global change and inequality. The pandemic has devastated livelihoods worldwide. Our efforts integrate social and environmental responsibility throughout operations and travellers’ experience to serve the greater good, and ensure resilience for business, people and the planet.”

For more information on grant application, visit Greater Good Grants.