Temasek Philanthropy Alliance Expands India Reach
By Business Desk
Philanthropy Asia Alliance, backed by Temasek Trust, boosts its India network by supporting Rocket Learning and Frontier Innovations, and welcoming Dasra.
The Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), backed by Singapore’s Temasek Trust, is expanding its India presence by supporting two new impact ventures. This move integrates new educational and rural commerce initiatives into PAA’s collaborative network.
Key India Initiatives
- Rocket Learning: An early age education project.
- Frontier Innovations: Its “She Leads Bharat: Udyam” uses an AI-powered app, Meri Saheli, to connect rural women shopkeepers with the Frontier Markets rural commerce platform.
PAA has also onboarded Dasra, a strategic philanthropy organization based in Mumbai. This addition joins existing Indian members like Aditya Birla Education Trust, Shiv Nadar Foundation, and Bharti Airtel Foundation, broadening PAA’s local reach.
Global Mobilization & Mandates
Shaun Seow, CEO of PAA, highlighted India’s potential for developing scalable solutions, especially for extreme heat and its health impacts. These include parametric insurance mechanisms compensating workers during high temperatures, which could benefit other Asian regions.
- $615 million mobilized by PAA in three years.
- Over 300 programs supported globally.
- Around 110 funder members across various regions.
PAA’s core mandates include health, inclusive development, and climate. The alliance facilitates collaboration among its members through events like the Philanthropy Asia Summit and specialized communities focusing on energy transition and health.
AI and Future Focus
The alliance’s strategy involves enabling multiple funders to support multi-phase programs, aiming for eventual scaling with government policy or private capital. This model has seen success with Vietnam’s OneSky, which focuses on STEM pedagogy and is considering expansion to the Philippines.
A significant focus is on artificial intelligence, with PAA, the Gates Foundation, and Temasek Foundation funding a pilot program across five Southeast Asian countries. This initiative aims to develop an AI-driven machine-learning model for infectious disease surveillance.
PAA is also committed to responsible AI, working to ensure AI datasets are representative across various local languages to mitigate biases. Local adaptation remains crucial when expanding initiatives like Rocket Learning internationally, ensuring solutions fit new markets.