In support of stakeholders beyond its operating communities for societal betterment.
SINGAPORE – Banyan Tree Global Foundation is launching for the first time in its 11-year history, the Greater Good Grants that aims to support innovative and impactful projects across 6 areas that align to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Group‘s core ethos of ‘Embracing the Environment, Empowering People’.
As a socially responsible business, Banyan Tree was founded with the core value of driving sustainable development. A global hospitality group operating in diverse locations, Banyan Tree’s concept of sustainability seeks to create long-term value for multiple stakeholders and destinations. Since earning the 1992 Environmental Award from American Express and The International Hotel Association for the remediation of a former tin mining site into Laguna Phuket integrated resort – Asia’s first destination resort, Banyan Tree has championed sustainability stewardship as a top priority. For this commitment, Banyan Tree has received nods of approval with social and environmental awards from various organisations.
This year, the Group is opening up its grant-giving foundation to external projects further afield from its immediate operating communities. “Our usual approach has been to award project grants mainly through our operating properties and support the environment and community stakeholders in that specific vicinity. While projects should be in the same countries as where we operate, our new approach is to invite NGOs and academics to apply so we can support more impactful projects benefitting people and the planet,” explains Dr Steve Newman, Assistant Vice President, Group Sustainability Director and Coordinating Director of Banyan Tree Global Foundation.
The Greater Good Grants for Year 2021 officially opens for submission on 28 October until 31 December 2020 SGT, and will invite projects across 6 areas as specified. Project grants are up to US$10,000, open to all individuals over the age of 18, who have an organisational affiliation. Submissions will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of Banyan Tree Global Foundation and an internal panel of stakeholders. Successful project grantees will be notified by Q1 2021.
Projects will be assessed in their contribution to one or more of the following areas:
Biodiversity & Conservation: improve understanding, conservation and management of species and habitats.
- Resource Use & Waste Management: innovative projects that tackle cradle to grave lifecycle of resources that benefit community, business and the environment.
- Climate Change & Resilience: elucidate global change and develop resilience in natural and human systems.
- Education & Empowerment: development of education infrastructure, capacity and delivery to students of any age, with particular focus on disadvantaged members of society.
- Health & Protection: focus on health and wellbeing in local communities.
- Culture & Livelihood: development, protection, restoration and stewardship of culture and livelihoods.
Mrs Claire Chiang, Co-founder & Senior Vice President of Banyan Tree Holdings and Chairperson of Banyan Tree Global Foundation says: “We have given project grants to over 150 partners in our operating locales since inception to now. This is our ecosystem of greater good, centred on our belief that our business is a vehicle for societal betterment and transformation. In this time where hope and optimism are needed more than ever, we hope to catalyse positive ripple effects and extend our support to more partners seeking to create positive, sustainable change.”
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