OCBC Bank commits S$100,000 to fund sustainability projects

Singapore

OCBC Bank has committed S$100,000 - through its #OCBCCares Environment Fund - to support the implementation of the top five ideas from the Sustainability Exchange programme, an initiative by EB Impact, the non-profit sister organisation of Eco-Business.

The programme is also in partnership with Facebook, and supported by Climate Action SG Alliance.

Launched on Tuesday (Oct 19), the Sustainability Exchange is a youth-mentorship programme where they will be matched with professionals to work on solving sustainability challenges faced in Singapore - which include accelerating the adoption rate of electric vehicles and implementing nature-based solutions, locally and regionally.

Into its second year, Jessica Cheam - the founder and managing director of Eco-Business who is also on the board of directors for EB Impact - said: "This year, we did something new. We formed a steering committee comprising strategic and academic partners, to formulate a set of problem statements that are closely aligned to the five pillars of the Singapore Green Plan.

"From the feedback that we gathered, we realised that funding was one of the most important areas to consider. Hence, we're excited that we've secured the commitment from OCBC Bank to fund the top 5 projects from this edition," she added.

Koh Ching Ching, OCBC head of group brand and communications said, said: "The Sustainability Exchange programme fits the bill for our Fund as it takes an actionable approach towards getting people like you and me not to just talk green but also do green. We are glad we can fill in the funding gap to support the implementation of winning solutions, assessment of tangible outcomes and possibly scaling up of proven solutions."

Besides providing financial support, OCBC Bank will also conduct workshops on budgeting and presentation skills for all participants - to help applicants prepare robust proposals and present well. Applications are open from now till Nov 30, 2021.