Bangkok 16 May 2013 – Banpu Public Company Limited sets the stage to create “Young Social Entrepreneurs” with the “BANPU Champions for Change 3” grant program. Aptly themed, “30 Social Enterprises by Youth, Building a Strong Network for Society”, the program is inviting groups of young Thai people aged 20 – 30 years nationwide with a maximum of 4 members each to submit social enterprise initiatives of their own interest that create positive impact for the society. Applications are open until 31 May 2013.

This year, “BANPU Champions for Change” will be supporting a third group of young social entrepreneurs. It will also mark support for a total of 30 social enterprise initiatives for Banpu’s 30th Anniversary. BANPU Champions for Change 3 brings together volunteer mentors, those who receive the grants this year as well as those from previous years with the purpose of creating a basis for strong networking, mutual support, experience sharing, and nurturing social innovation for future sustainability.

For more information or to apply, please contact the Banpu Champions for Change” program, 444 Olympia Thai Tower, 22nd Floor, Ratchadaphisek Road, Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310, Tel: 02 938 2636 or E-mail: banpuchampions@gmail.com, Facebook : www.facebook.com/banpuchampions.

###

Additional Information:

“Banpu Champions for Change” is one of the CSR programs run by Banpu Plc. The program is undertaken under the concept of “Learning… a Power of Change and Development. Initiated in 2011, “Banpu Champions for Change” is open to young people nationwide to create and implement their own social enterprise initiatives. It will also give these young social entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn through real life practice running social enterprise activities in line with their own interests and expertise. They will have a chance to learn how to apply their skills managing these activities for their own future benefit and learn how to return profits to Thai society in the future.

Eligible entries are those with an explicit goal of improving Thai communities or the environment. Selected entries will each receive 50,000 Baht fund for Phase 1 implementation for 3 months. The initiatives that have the best outcome upon the end of Phase 1 will each receive up to 200,000 Baht to continue with the Phase 2 implementation for another six months. All supported groups will be provided with useful trainings and advice as well as networking opportunities throughout the implementation period.