AirAsia Foundation's mission centers on aiding social enterprises to scale up operations. The aim is to empower communities through the development of sustainable livelihoods. This is achieved by providing support to small businesses within ASEAN that demonstrated potential for growth and impact, enabling them to improve community well-being and economic sustainability.
The grant program from AirAsia Foundation seeks to support social enterprises in ASEAN that are at least two years into their operation. The program welcomes applications from both social enterprises aiming for expansion and NGOs transitioning towards social enterprise models. The focus is on funding initiatives that promise tangible, income-generating improvements within a 12-month framework. This may involve the development of new products/services, community member training, or purchasing essential expansion equipment, but excludes operating cash flow, land, or building acquisitions. Priority is given to smaller enterprises struggling with conventional funding access, especially those located near AirAsia’s operational bases, aiming to leverage the airline's network. The grant assesses proposals on their societal impact, innovation, sustainability post-funding, and the potential for synergy with AirAsia's resources and network to achieve their social objectives.