The workshop on 13th March focuses on Animal Welfare and will conclude with a pitch to a NGO, which will provide feedback as well as an opportunity for institutional support to bring your idea to life.

Sign up here.

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Concern SG is a community-generated encyclopedia for and by the non-profit and social sector in Singapore. Add your contribution here now!

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Internet cafes and computer gaming centers line every major street in Bangkok. Thailand’s new generation of innovators are no strangers to Information & Communication Technology (ICT). What’s more, they are not satisfied in using these skills for just pursuing monetary returns.

Thailand is fast becoming a breeding ground for young social entrepreneurs who are harnessing the power of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).

Social enterprises like Thoth Media and Chivalry silk are examples of innovative social enterprises that are leveraging new online media in support of sustainable development.

Media Censorship & Thoth Media

Media in Thailand has always been under strict censorship by the government as a preemptive attempt to controversial dialogue among citizens. As a result, the lack of outlets for free speech within Thailand has made it extremely difficult for the people to have open discussions on issues that are directly affect them.

Yet, to foster an open, educated and democratic society, access to such information is crucial as well as a strong creative problem solving mindset.

With over 1,500 Thais graduating into the ICT profession every year, how can these valuable skills be put to use for Thailand?

One answer lies with the young social entrepreneurs behind innovative social enterprise, Thoth Media.

Thoth Media was created in 2006 by three friends with backgrounds in IT, who were greatly inspired by the widespread usage of social media in the developing world to engage people in entertaining, stimulating and informative discussions.

“The government will censor anyone who is criticizing the monarchy,” explains co-founder, Kla Tangsuwan.

“But criticizing the monarchy is not our position. We are focusing our efforts on encouraging people to spread knowledge, wisdom and insight through social media on issues such as technology, education, child welfare, political transparency and social responsibility. We focus on inspiring creative solutions rather than criticisms.”

The first of their many projects was Duocore.tv, which has grown to be one of the largest internet shows in Thailand with over 60,000 views a month on top of being aired by many satellite TV stations.

Today, Thoth Media has succeeded in creating an interactive and engaging social media platform that provides a variety of media options to service the growing needs of citizen journalists, non-profit organizations as well as other social enterprises.

For example, Thoth Media provides the technical expertise and support to build a new citizen participation function to the current Prime Minister’s website. This medium allows the public to ask questions and come up with creative solutions to problems that they can share and further develop on the website. The public can “vote up” the questions and the Prime Minister will answer the top voted questions in his weekly address. To date, this page has had more than 600,000 views, over 10,000 website members, 8,500 questions posted and 15,000 votes collected.

This platform allows citizens to report, discuss, create and engage in valuable discussions through the use of technology. And by fostering a populous and sprawling online community where citizens have the power to contribute to important discussions, Thoth Media is, in turn, encouraging an online Internet culture that is important for a healthy, informed and free society.

Through this form of de-centralized media, the Thais can bypass many censorship obstacles as content is uploaded directly to the Internet, where it can be accessed from many different sources from throughout the virtual world. This is much more difficult to censor–once a campaign goes “viral”, it is almost impossible to contain.

In addition to using technology to facilitate important connections between the people and the government, Thoth Media also uses creative technology to help people to take better care of their health.

For one, Thoth Media works with the Folk Doctor Foundation, a thirty year old foundation in Thailand, in coordinating, organising and distributing information promoting health related issues. Fortnightly, the social enterprise also produces and distributes a dynamic and engaging short video that explains a health issue as a form of public education.

Thoth Media helps the Folk Doctor Foundation, among many others, to have a visible and active social media identity by helping to create and manage their social media channels.

The social enterprise aims not only to encourage the open sharing of knowledge, but also to promote free speech, health, human rights, and the growth of a new industry that can employ Thai people that will allow them to join the ranks of a novel class of workers.

“The government will censor anyone who is criticizing the monarchy,” explained co-founder, Kla Tangsuwan.

“But criticizing the monarchy is not our position.  We are focusing our efforts on encouraging people to spread knowledge, wisdom and insight through social media on issues such as technology, education, child welfare, political transparency and social responsibility.

“We focus on inspiring creative solutions rather than criticisms.”

Cultural Preservation Through E-Commerce:  Chivalry Silk

Another social enterprise that makes good use of technology is Chivalry Silk.

Early 2007, Thepparat “Ongchun” Tantikalayaporn, a young Thai university student was given a memorable gift from one of her closest friends. The gift was a piece of traditionally woven Thai silk artwork made from the cocoons of some of the finest silkworms in the world. The quality and attention to detail was only made possible through the tedious and dedicated craftsmanship of the Thai silk weavers. It took an entire day to produce about one meter of this type of silk.

Ongchun left for the Northern Thailand village of Chiang Mai where she dedicated herself to learning the silk making process–from growing the mulberry-like plants that feed the silk worms all the way to the final stages of hand weaving–with the hopes of better understanding the Thai culture and tradition.

During this time, Ongchun learned that traditional silk manufacturing was disappearing from the rural areas of Thailand simply because the price of traditional handmade silk could not compete with cheaper, industrialized silk.

Due to the lack of access to markets, many of the rural artisans are forced to abandon their craft and leave their villages for the big cities in search of work. This not only contributes to overpopulation in the cities, but is also a threat to the traditional family unit.

“So many of the villagers are forced to move to the cities after the harvest season because it has been their only way to earn more money,” said Ongchun, founder of Chivalry silk. “They leave their children with their grandparents when they leave the villages in search for a better paying city-based job.”

The problem of seasonal work coupled with the lack of access to external markets seriously impedes this industry from developing.

Armed with the understanding of the story behind her cherished gift, Ongchun set up her own social enterprise, Chivalry Silk, to help solve this problem.

“I really wanted to do something to solve the problems I saw in the Thai silk industry. I wanted to find a way to bring back the profits that were made through selling Thai silk back to the community who produced it,” recalled Ongchun.  “I also wanted to do away with the middlemen who were taking advantage of the people in the villages by taking all of the profits.

“That is where the idea of linking the communities directly with the markets came from.  I thought that if the groups of women I saw in Northern Thailand could raise their incomes beyond just through agricultural activities, then the whole economic cycle of the villages would be stronger and more sustainable.”

Chivalry Silk merges fair trade, cultural preservation, and community empowerment by sourcing their silk material from rural weavers, who are otherwise unconnected to the global market, then selling the material mainly through an e-commerce portal.

The money earned through the e-commerce portal is channeled back to the weavers themselves, unlike factory-based weavers who get only a mediocre share of the profits for their labour.

Besides the e-commerce portal, Chivalry Silk employs an online merchandising model that allows it to take full advantage of the tools the Internet offers for global outreach.  With nearly a third of its export & merchandising model coming from the Internet, it is the glue that binds all of the pieces together.

These online channels–including a B2B and B2C online e-marketplace, third party seller stores such as eBay, Etsy.com and Elevyn.com (fellow Youth Social Enterprise Initiative fellow), live customer support services and a comprehensive website–not only provides access to the product, but also includes a comprehensive explanation of the product heritage, cultural importance and the evolution of the Thai silk industry.

In addition, Chivalry Silk is actively engaged in raising awareness and business through related forums, blogs, Google groups, buyers’ guides and discussion groups, which gives a boost to their search engine optimization. Chivalry Silk appears on the first page of Google search results for a variety of important search terms such as “quality Thai silk”, “hand woven Thai silk” and “silk product”. This, in turn, translates to consumer awareness and in turn, strong sales.

On top of reaching consumers, ICT is also used to connect the vast web of players that Chivalry Silk has weaved into their business models. The ability to use online channels to connect with fashion designers, overseas importers, online trade shows, interior designers, retail stores and more has facilitated the global expansion of the business.

At present, Chivalry Silk has helped to improve the standard of living for nearly 30,000 people throughout the supply chain of the Northern Thailand silk industry by connecting them with socially conscious consumer markets and marketing the ethnic product.

With the help of Chivalry Silk, the average silk-weaving artisan’s income increased by about 8 per cent in just a year’s time.  This rise of about USD $150 a year is enough for drastic lifestyle changes, such as sending children to school, which can in turn make all the difference for a family trying to escape the cycle of poverty.

At the same time Chivalry Silk is improving the lives of Thai artisans and their families, the social enterprise also helps to preserve a valuable Thai tradition.

Related posts:

1. Open Source Technology for Rural Hospitals in Thailand
2. 7 Things To Consider Before Embarking on Social Entreprenuership
3. Creating a Space in the Market: Social Enterprise in Asia

1. What inspired you to work on the Hospital OS?

As a medical doctor, I think of how I can care for more patients-not only to treat but also to prevent and give good care systemically.

In the year 2000, the economic crisis hit Thailand hard and hospitals in the rural area suffered from the new policy of “1USD to treat all disease”. This means that health care here changed from fee paid for service rendered to capitation.

While it is a good thing that everyone now have access to care, how can hospital use that limited capitation wisely? Here, I found an opportunity to develop hospital informatics system to provide crucial information for hospital to better manage, care and plan for their patients.

As my target hospitals are small rural hospitals which lack resources, I provide Hospital OS for free-as an open source software-so that they have the freedom to learn and use it to better serve their patients.

2. What does social entrepreneurship mean to you?

At that time, I did not know a thing about SE. I simply used my gut feeling to set up a business in which I can sustain my product, my team and my business, and at the same time, fulfill my passion without grants-or pressure-to distract me from my ultimate outcome.

It is only now that I realize to be a social entrepreneur is not different in terms of doing business but rather, in terms of the outcome. Even if there were no profit but to work with passion is great returns for me.

3. With the changes in the market today, do you think it has become harder or easier to succeed as a social enterprise or social entrepreneur?

It is easier in the sense that all the more people understand our business objectives now. On the other hand, it can be harder as big players can cannibalize the market by making their services cheaper for a short term before eventually increasing their prices to profit and hence, causes the death of some social enterprises.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring social entrepreneurs?

To be a social entrepreneur, you must recognise that the only reward you will get in return is the happiness that derives from working for your passion and not for money or for recognition. I am happy when I am working. I think we should not wait until we are rich before contributing to society. People can do many beautiful things for society without waiting until they are rich. I do it because I wish to do it, and not because of the money.

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SEforum: What was the inspiration behind Food For Thought (FFT) @8Q?

We–the three directors of School of Thought–had already ventured into the first FFT in 2007. We wanted to create an opportunity to reach out more to members of the public who were not teachers or students (the group which is most exposed and interested in our work). We thought a cafe would be an interesting way to model our beliefs about the point of good education–a certain way of life, making certain type of choices.

FFT was always a tricky act to balance because it was always meant to be more than a cafe. It had to balance out a lot of higher ideals and social values that the School of Thought advocated.

Firstly, we always meant to be a welcoming, people-friendly space where you could see the workers were well treated and happy to be in community with each other and thus pass on that hopeful, other-person centred vibe to the customers. We deliberately created a bar counter and open kitchen concept because it opened up interaction between the staff and the customers. Secondly, we wanted the food to be fairly priced and generous in portion but not overwhelming so that it promoted greed and wastage.

Thirdly, FFT was also conceived to be a place which would promote exceptional merchandise created by good people for good causes. It would also run events that gathered people to discuss issues and contribute meaningfully to local and regional needs. Unfortunately, very early on we realised the first FFT was way too small and faced many physical constraints to allow this to happen well. Thus this third goal was kept on the back burner.

Though it is far from perfect, the first FFT managed to accomplish these two goals to a degree we are fairly happy with. Much of this is because we lucked upon our executive chef, David Heng, from the start. He is a rare breed of young chef, classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu and experienced in fine dining restaurants but not in the business to cook his way to the top. He is in it out of a love of cooking for people and serving them personally. People go to FFT not just because of what they know about School of Thought but also because of the personable culture and good food David has created with his team.

So FFT @8Q was a natural offshoot of unfulfilled ambitions from FFT North Bridge. Since 2008, we, including David, had always been on the lookout for a larger restaurant space enough to run events and showcase merchandise as well as allow David to fully explore his cooking talent. We were specifically looking for public spaces which were meaningful to building communities like libraries, universities or parks. When the staff of 8Q dropped by for lunch at FFT North Bridge and mentioned they were looking for tenants, we put in our pitch. We secured it around the October – November 2009 period and work began full swing in December 2009 to January 2010.

SEforum: What is your favourite part about the latest 8Q?

The fact that it is so much more spaced out, well-lit and better ventilated than the North Bridge outlet, allowing people more space to comfortably relax and take a breather!

The dramatic merchandise shelf that arches out to meet our glass jar installation puts our desire to do more good events and good products for good causes front and centre. It is a personal challenge and good reminder to me every time I enter the restaurant! It is both an exciting and intimidating thing to look at because retail and events planning is a completely new addition to our portfolio of works.

SEforum: What is your favourite product (or one you would recommend to customers) and why?

Hmm I like everything on the shelf! I love our updated Chinese Chess set and Pre-loved books because I love the idea of mashing-up old and new. Sao Mao’s organically grown Kampot pepper is a great example of a high quality product with a moving story of Cambodia’s push to develop itself. Little Drom Store’s cards made by local independent graphic designers are very beautifully made and meaningful to send out to encourage others. Lovely Taiwan’s wooden cat has got a superb feel though it looks deceivingly simple. And I have to say Homespun’s Good Morning Towel interpretations–bibs, oven mitts and tissue box covers–make great gifts and instant talking points.

SEforum:. What is unique about FFT (both branches) as a social enterprise?

I think FFT is unique because it is not a standalone social enterprise hoping to solve a social need from one angle.

FFT is unique because the Thought Collective is unique: we work at a social problem from many angles through our different businesses. The problem we focus on is personal and public apathy. Our mission is to align our pursuit of education away from self-centredness to centre on what’s happening all around us and how we can be part of the solution. Every time we see another angle to approach our mission and we see that it aligns with a need in the market, we start a business it seems! So I think our approach is unique.

SEforum: What advice do you have for aspiring social entrepreneurs?

Don’t copy others. God has sown in you particular dreams, inclinations and whims that just might be the solution to someone else’s dreams. If you have done some number crunching, market watching and your gut instinct says it is good and it will work, it is worth giving a shot.

Ideas are cheap but execution is hard. You have to work at your ideas, refine them, test them, go out on a limb for them and even change them if it looks like a dead end. Whatever it is, never just sit around spinning fabulous ideas over kopi with your kakis. Ideas are meaningless without your intentionally going out to live them out and MAKE THEM WORK (as Project Runway’s Tim would say!)

Be kind to customers and give them a good or service that is worth paying for–again and again and again. That’s a guarantee for success.

Don’t bring down the name of social enterprises and charity by forcing people to buy a lousy and ugly product out of sympathy!

For more information, visit http://www.foodforthought.com.sg/Food_For_Thought.html. Food for Thought @8Q is located at 8 Queen Street Singapore 188535.

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Conference and Study Visits in Shanghai

April 8-10, 2010

~LEARN about the updated social enterprise trends in Shanghai
~EXCHANGE with outstanding social entrepreneurs
~UNDERSTAND current social issues in Shanghai
~VISIT commnity-based social enterprises

HKD$1,500 (Application Deadline: Feb 26, 2010)

*the price only covers meals, transportation cost, administrative cost for the conference and visits. It does not include flight, hotel accommodation, insurance and personal expenses

Day 1 (April 8, Thu) Whole Day Conference  – Social Enterprise in Community: Best Practices of Social Enterprise Cases in Shanghai and HK

-          Community in Action: social entrepreneurship and community rejuvenation

-          Action with Impact: measurement of social impact

-          Multiplying Impact: partnership with public and private sector

Day 2 (April 9, Fri) Social Enterprise Visits

Visit innovative social enterprise projects in Shanghai such as community-based multi-media centre, traditional handicraft project, factory which employs various disdvantaged groups and organziation that services visually impaired persons.

Day 3 (April 10, Sat) Social Enterprise Visits and Sharing with Social Entrepreneurs

visit more social enterprise projects in the morning and exchangewith social entrepreneurs in the afternoon session

Enquiry: contact Jessica Tam, Business Development of Manager of HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre at jessica.tam@hkcss.org.hk or info@hkcss.org.hk

About the Organizers

This visit is an Angel’s Planet  programme organized by HKCSS-HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre (SEBC). The goal of Angel’s planet is to enable experience exchange with social angels and like-minded counterparts on social community and social enterprise development. SEBC is resource hub, funded by the government, HSBC and HKCSS and its aims is to advocate social innovation, incubate social enterprises and encourage social investment. http://www.socialenterprise.org.hk

Non-Profit Incubator (NPI) is a non-governmental organization founded with the support from the government, international and domestic funding organizations, enterprises and academics. Since its establishment, NPI takes it as its mission to advance social innovation and to foster social entrepreneurs, aiming to provide substantial support to start-up, small or medium-sized social enterprises, and at the same time, to explore a way for the development of NGO supporting organizations at the early stage of China’s philanthropy. http://www.npi.org.cn

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