As a leading Asian energy company, Banpu says it has worked towards social sustainability, and organised “Banpu Champions for Change: Keep on Growing”, a special event that provides business-pitching opportunities for Banpu Champions for Change alumni members. The alumni are able to present their business progress and acquire additional support as well as expert counselling to improve their social enterprises.

Five social enterprises were selected.

A-Chieve Social Enterprise Ltd is an agency created to educate students on career opportunities through its website, career camps and workshops to help students plan relevant career paths effectively.

Local Alike Ltd is a responsible tour operator that focuses on community-based tourism, which allows local residents to be involved while emphasising community development funded through generated revenue.

Nokhook Group Co is an alternative marketing channel that works by matching agricultural outputs from organic farmers directly with customers following fair trade principles. The enterprise also provides farmers with support on product development and short-term working capital.

Ma:D is a co-working community for social entrepreneurs where they can network, learn from others, exchange ideas, inspire one another, and have an impact on society.

Toolmorrow by Surasek Ltd is an online TV programme that presents teenagers’ false beliefs through various social experiments and video packed with fun and thought-provoking content aimed at building positive morals and ethics among teens.

“The key to building a successful social enterprise is reaching out to someone who knows how to help, someone who can identify or fill in the gap that may be impeding enterprise success,” said Chanin Vongkusolkit, chairman of the board of Banpu. “With our network, Banpu is more than happy to be a gateway to help connect social entrepreneurs with experts.

“We hope that the social enterprises will eventually grow to a stage where they are scalable and replicable to bring about the positive change and impact for our community, our society and our country.”