About this programme
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) often face systemic barriers and social discrimination that contribute to significant wealth disparities compared to their able-bodied peers. Many are excluded from meaningful employment or development opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and economic insecurity.
There is a lack of effective economic empowerment programmes for disabled and disadvantaged communities within Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Disabled individuals need an array of organisations to champion their cause and R.I.S.E. is an economic empowerment programme designed to support disadvantaged communities, particularly PWDs to increase their income and become financially independent.
The programme involves regular training covering practical topics in running a business, such as financial goals, operational planning, budgeting and tracking, and sales and customer analysis.
In addition to capacity building, a structured mentoring system is put in place, making sure the entrepreneurs receive continued support and knowledge transfer from skilled Maybank volunteers.
Originally piloted in Malaysia in 2014, the R.I.S.E. programme, together with its programme partner People Systems Consultancy (PSC), has transformed the lives of more than 45,000 participants across six countries in the ASEAN region, including Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore.
Strategy
The R.I.S.E. programme is 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 key features of the programme include:
Practical entrepreneurship training
Effective mentoring and focus on income improvement
Involvement of Maybank employees
The training will enable participants to build innovative sales strategies into their business ideas, enhance business management skills and augment client acquisition and retention, resulting in greater financial independence. Resulting in businesses, which are more resilient.
Building on the momentum from Phase 1 of the programme, we embarked on R.I.S.E. 2.0, at the end of 2019, where the programme is now split into 3 tiers; R.I.S.E. Premium, R.I.S.E. Standard and R.I.S.E. Basic.
Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, R.I.S.E 2.0 sought to innovate by conducting online training for the participants to ensure that no one gets left behind. We provided access to Internet and devices to the participants to ensure that they are able to attend the virtual training and continue learning. When and where lawful, the R.I.S.E programme conducted the physical training in countries such as Laos and Malaysia.
OUTCOME
Data as of 31 August 2026, training and mentoring sessions are ongoing.
¹Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/understanding-poverty
R.I.S.E. Standard Results by Country (Overall)
Notes: Data is as of 31st August 2025, training and mentoring sessions are ongoing.
Source:https://www.worldbank.org/en/understanding-poverty
Gallery
R.I.S.E. Training in Malaysia
R.I.S.E. Training in Indonesia
R.I.S.E. Training in Philippines
R.I.S.E. Training in Laos
