Second wave of change

“BUY with Heart” is the central theme being leveraged to re-start Wave 2 of this popular initiative. The Arthur Guinness Project recently hosted a social enterprise marketplace in Publika, showcasing successful initiatives resulting from Wave 1. Eager consumers could also learn more about the initiative and participate in the social enterprise products and services program.
By driving the Arthur Guinness project “we wish to inspire people to do their bit for the community, even through their purchasing decisions”, as it “can contribute significantly” towards influencing positive “social change in their communities,” said Guinness Anchor Berhad marketing director, Bruce Dallas. You can even “create social impact through what you eat, drink and wear; through your landscaping, home improvement, business development services you choose; and the gifts you buy and give”.
The event showcased four social ventures that received funding from the AGP-British Council “Entrepreneurs for Good” Wave 1 programme. Among the booths that were at the marketplace was the “Eat shoots and roots” booth. Eat shoots and roots is an initiative committed to designing edible garden systems for homes, offices, schools, public and private spaces. It was designed to teach the public the importance and benefits of gardening, including growing your own vegetables and herbs.
Another notable mention was the “Biji Biji Initiative” which specializes in making trendy and usable items by recycling waste material, such as fashioning a trendy clock from an old bicycle spoke. “The programme has inspired us to contribute towards the community in ways initially unimaginable. It has created a brilliant platform for people to come forward and grab the opportunity to turn aspirations into ideas, and ideas into reality,” said its representative Rashvin.
The AGP collaborates with the British Council who provides these social entrepreneurs with skills training and mentoring, along with access to British expertise, peer networking and start-up funding.
“In Wave 1, (partnering with AGP) we engaged with a network of talented and passionate social entrepreneurs who grew their businesses, created employment
opportunities and had a positive impact on their beneficiaries. We are really delighted to be continuing that partnership as we launch Wave 2 now, aiming to reach even more people. We are looking forward to meeting that next cohort of social entrepreneurs and supporting them to make a positive change,” said British Council country director Gavin Anderson.
The highlight of the evening was an auction where each subsequent bidder paid the differential amount between his quote and the earlier bid. Several exclusive, upcycled products from Biji Biji, along with one-of-a-kind items such as a pallet coffee table and the bedside lamp fashioned from a Guinness bottle were auctioned.