11 January 2017

Maybank Foundation launches entrepreneurship programme for PWDs, marginalised sector in the Philippines

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The Reach Independence and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (RISE) programme will initially train 100 PWDs from Metro Manila

Maybank Foundation launches in the Philippines on Wednesday, January 11 the R.I.S.E. (Reach Independence and Sustainable Entrepreneurship), a programme that has already been successfully running in Malaysia and Indonesia.

R.I.S.E. is targeted to participants from underprivileged communities — mainly people with disabilities (PWDs) — to help them increase their income without the need for business startup grants. R.I.S.E. programme is also designed to train, coach, and mentor participants to develop their entrepreneurial skills resulting in higher income levels, thus improving their overall standard of living.

The foundation is pouring in an initial P6 million for the R.I.S.E. entrepreneurship-mentorship programme pilot in the country — a significant investment by Maybank in the Philippines for corporate social responsibility. Under this programme, selected participants will attend a three-day Entrepreneurship & Financial Training session, followed by a six-month mentoring period where they will be trained and coached to develop their entrepreneurial skills to help them achieve higher income levels and improve their overall standard of living.

“This year, Maybank will be marking its 20th year in the Philippines,” Maybank International CEO Pollie Sim said. “What an opportune time to celebrate this significant milestone than to roll out a successful program in the Philippines, a key market of the Maybank Group,” she added.  The Philippines was chosen for the second phase of the programme that started in September 2014 in Malaysia.  R.I.S.E will be launched in Metro Manila this January and will be expanding to Cebu by March.

“Our commitment to supporting and empowering the disadvantaged, especially PWDs, is very much in line with Maybank’s mission of humanising financial services,” Maybank Foundation CEO Shahril Azuar Jimin emphasized.

RISE aims to have at least 40% of its participants gain an income increase of 100% within three months. Now on its second phase, it has already trained 1,400 participants in Malaysia and 200 in Indonesia. For its pilot training in the Philippines this month, 100 participants each from Manila and Cebu have been identified through Maybank Foundation’s partner organizations, People Systems Consultancy and the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“When we meet these people, especially those who really want to better themselves, we find that they don’t look for dole-outs, they just want opportunity,” added Shahril.

Shahril said that the programme has been expanded to other territories like the Philippines to include more participants. He added that the pilot project was a huge success in Malaysia, as it resulted in an increase of 411.7% in average income per individual for the top 40% of the pilot participants. “It encouraged us to move into phase two of the programme [which was launched on August 5, 2015], where we expanded the scope to a total of 1,800 people in three countries namely Malaysia (1,400); Indonesia (200 as pilot); and the Philippines (200 as pilot), of which 70% will comprise PWDs,” said Shahril.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Have questions about partnering with Maybank Foundation for BSAS 2027? Find out more about the programme, application requirements and selection process below.

A. About BSAS 2027

  1. What is the Balai Seni Art Series (BSAS)?
    The Balai Seni Art Series (BSAS) is a Maybank Foundation initiative that supports the development and appreciation of arts and culture through programmes that nurture artistic talent, preserve cultural heritage and create meaningful opportunities for arts and cultural practitioners and communities.

  1. What programmes are open for applications under BSAS 2027?
    Organisations may apply to partner with Maybank Foundation under any of the following programmes:

        • MyTIGER Values Art Competition (MTVAC)
        • Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB)
        • Maybank Foundation Artist Fellowship Programme (MFAFP)
        • New Arts & Culture Programme – an open-concept programme for proposed arts and culture initiatives. 

  1. Can an organisation apply for more than one programme?
    Yes. Organisations may apply for one, multiple or all four programmes. A separate proposal, including the proposed approach, implementation plan and budget, must be submitted for each programme applied for.

B. Eligibility and Requirements

  1. Who is eligible to apply?
    Registered organisations with relevant experience and capabilities in arts, culture or creative programme delivery across ASEAN are invited to apply. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to develop, manage and deliver programmes aligned with the objectives of the selected BSAS programme.

  2. Can organisations based outside Malaysia apply?
    Yes. Eligible organisations from ASEAN Member States may apply. Organisations outside Malaysia should submit the equivalent legal registration or establishment documents recognised in their respective countries.

  3. Can an organisation apply if it has not previously partnered with Maybank Foundation?
    Yes. Organisations that have not previously worked with Maybank Foundation may apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and can demonstrate relevant experience, capabilities and a suitable approach to delivering the proposed programme.

  1. What should be included in the proposal deck?
    Each proposal deck should be tailored to the selected programme and include the following:

    1. Programme Overview: Proposed concept, objectives and alignment with the selected BSAS programme.
    2. Approach and Value Proposition: Programme design, delivery approach and the needs or opportunities addressed.
    3. Target Beneficiaries and Intended Impact: Target audience, expected reach, key outcomes and measurable impact.
    4. Scope of Work and Deliverables: Key activities, implementation plan, timeline, milestones and expected outputs.
    5. Partnership and Delivery Capability: Proposed team, relevant experience, key partners and resources required.
    6. Budget and Funding Request: Itemised budget, funding requested and any co-funding or other resources, where applicable.
    7. Sustainability and Scalability: Plans to sustain outcomes, extend impact or scale the programme beyond the implementation period.
    8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Proposed indicators and methods to track progress, measure results and report impact.

  1. What supporting documents must be submitted?
    Applicants should provide the required organisational information, relevant legal registration or establishment documents, and a proposal deck for each programme selected. Additional information or supporting documents may be requested during the assessment and due diligence processes.

C. How to Apply

  1. How can an organisation submit an application?
    Interested organisations should complete the BSAS 2027 Partner Application Form through the application link provided on Maybank Foundation’s website. Applicants must select their preferred programme(s) and upload the corresponding proposal deck for each programme.

  1. What is the application deadline?
    The application deadline is 8 November 2026, 11:59 PM MYT (UTC+8). Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline to allow sufficient time for review.

  1. What happens after an application is submitted?
    Applications will undergo an evaluation process to assess their suitability for the selected programme. Shortlisted organisations may be contacted for further information, clarification or supporting documents and may be required to undergo Maybank Foundation’s due diligence, compliance checks and procurement processes.

  1. What happens if an application is incomplete or additional information is required?
    Maybank Foundation may request clarification, additional information or supporting documents where necessary. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are complete and that the information provided is accurate.

D. Evaluation and Selection

  1. How will applications be evaluated?
    Applications will be assessed based on their alignment with the objectives of the selected BSAS programme, the strength and relevance of the proposed concept, expected outcomes and impact, implementation approach, organisational capability, budget and overall feasibility.

  1. Does submitting an application guarantee selection or appointment as a programme partner?
    No. Submission of an application does not guarantee selection or appointment as a BSAS 2027 programme partner. All applications are subject to evaluation and the relevant approval, due diligence and procurement processes.

  1. When will successful applicants be notified?
    Applications will be evaluated from 9 November to 15 December 2026, with the selection outcomes scheduled for consideration by the Maybank Foundation Board. Further information on the announcement of successful applicants will be communicated when available.

E. General Enquiries

  1. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
    For enquiries regarding the BSAS 2027 Partner Application, please contact Maybank Foundation through the general enquiry in the “Who We Are” section provided on the website.