30 Years of APR Scout Foundation

Ticket to Life project

Ticket to Life Project is a regional flagship project in the Asia-Pacific Region. Two of its projects were granted with funds by the Foundation. This project aims to serve young people who are living in difficult circumstances to have a better opportunities through Scouting.

Community Development Center

The Scout Association of Mongolia

The center is being used to cater the needs of out of school youth. The Center is also being used to hold troop meetings, organize joint projects with the community and conduct skills training.

Scouts for Conservation of Wildlife

Bangladesh Scouts

Bangladesh Scouts has been engaged in community development since early 1970’s. With the Foundation grant, simultaneous rallies were organized in 64 districts campaigning for environmental awareness.

Community-Based Mushroom Cultivation Project

Bhutan Scouts Association

Project Implementation Status

The project implementation has three phases. The first phase was from May 2013 to December 2015. More than nu. 100,000 were obtained from the total sale. The second phase is from January 2016 to December 2020. A total of nu. 50,000 were collected this time. The third phase is from January 2021 to the present. A total of 400 Billiards were replaced. About Nu 10,000 is expected to generate from its first yield in October 2021.

Sustainability of the Project

The community-based Mushroom cultivation project is self-sustaining supported by the community volunteers. The 50% of funds generated from the sale is for maintenance and operation, 30% is for family well-being and support, and the remaining 20% is for youth program.

The mushroom seeds are provided free from the national mushroom center.

Challenges

Several challenges arise along the way. There was a lack of trained workers to handle the shed efficiently, a poorly equipped mushroom shed, and a lack of market because of the pandemic.

Impact of the Mushroom Cultivation Project:

Enhanced Livelihood of CBS Members

Community-Based Scout members who work for the project can buy mushroom at a subsidized rate for consumption or sale. It supported local families financially and assisted in sustaining Scouting in Bhutan. The fund is also spent to financially help needy students with basic stationeries. Vulnerable members in the community benefitted from the program and have positively touched the lives of many young people. Scouting visibility increased. Its image improved to many key stakeholders, parents, and young people.

Scout Shop APR Scout Bazaar

Renovation of Mongolia National Headquarters

The Scout Shops generated income for the Scout associations and provided better services to members. In 2017 the APR Finance Sub-Committee established the APR Scout Bazaar which aims to support NSOs in marketing their Scout supplies. The Foundation granted the start-up loan to launch the project.

Scout Bazaar The Scout Association of Mongolia

Another NSO to benefit from the interest free loan for income generating project was Scout Association of Mongolia’s renovation of its national headquarters. After the renovation, the property was leased, and later on sold and provided and income to Mongolia Scouts. The association has a new headquarters in Ulaanbaatar.

Apart from the projects where the Foundation is directly supporting the NSOs, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Support Centre, the Foundation has been extending its help to NSOs in hosting Scouting events as well as support the participation in capacity building activities as part of implementing the APR Plan.

Restoration of Pedro Camp in Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka Scout Association

When the Foundation decided to provide also an interest free loans, the first recipient was Sri Lanka Scout Association on the restoration of Pedro Camp. The camp is now an income generating project of the association.

Field Activities 2018-2021

Since 2009, APR Scout Foundation has been supporting field activities in the Asia-Pacific Region. Grants subsidized the conduct of events, workshops, and training in the areas of Youth programme, Adults in Scouting, Governance, Financial Management, and Communications hosted by NSOs. Over a hundred events have been supported financially by the APR Scout Foundation.

According to WSB SecretaryGeneral Ahmed Alhendawi, APR remains the greatest contributor to WSB’s membership growth during his inspirational speech at the seminar.

APR Scout Foundation is always committed to supporting APR Growth in terms of membership and overall development across NSOs. Activities on membership growth, challenges encountered, and WOSM initiatives were discussed.

NATIONAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BRUNEI (2019)

To realize Objective No. 2 of Young People Strategic Priority of the APR Triennial Plan 2018 – 2021: “Develop a National Diversity and Inclusion Strategy,” APSC WOSM supported National Diversity and Inclusion Workshop in Brunei on 8–11 September 2019. Resources bank, progressive and continuous training and implementation of Diversity and Inclusion policies were among the powerful recommendations submitted at the conclusion of the event to make impactful change across the region.

APR GOOD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP TAIPEI (2019)

The APR Governance Sub-Committee affirmed to strengthen NSOs across the region in Good Governance. Participants were equipped with inspiration and relevant knowledge to improve NSOs management and leadership. The General Association of the Scouts of China hosted the event. The workshop provided substantial recommendations in empowering NSOs through a ladderized accreditation system for GSAT, case studies, clear induction processes, develop a conflict of interest across all levels, and Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive roles were emphasized as important agents in Good Governance and should be proactive in regular training.

NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING BHUTAN (2020)

The National Strategic Planning Workshop was held in Bhutan on 20-24 January 2020. The workshop brought successful finalization of the strategic plan including its implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in the areas of Youth Programme, Adults in Scouting, Resources Management, Good Governance, and Communications and Partnerships.

WORKSHOP ON FINANCIAL AND CONTROL MYANMAR (2020)

APR Financial Management SubCommittee was in full support of NSO-Myanmar Scout’s request to build their financial capacity in the development and promotion of Scouting in the country on 2-5 March 2020. Participants gained invaluable learnings about Financial Systems and Controls helping them better in preparing standard financial documents expected by donors.

FOUNDATION EVENTS IN MANILA (2018)

A side activity of the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee meeting in Kagoshima, Japan was a fundraising event for the Foundation on 26 May 2021. Around 100 Scouts and Scout Leaders from Japan and neighbouring countries gathered with the presence of Mr Takeshi Iwakiri, Vice Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture.

The gathering generated about US$ 9,000.00 in contributions, both from existing members who upgraded their contributions and those joining for the first time. In his address, Dr Chao, Shou-Po, President of the APR Scout Foundation Management Committee, said the Foundation will continue to support Scouting and its programmes.

“The APR Scout Foundation is once again renewing its commitment to provide support for the Scout Move- ment across the Asia-Pacific Region. Our focus for this triennium is leadership development. We will open new and exciting opportunities for our young people, and we will continue working hand in hand with the APR Scout Committee and the World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Support Centre,” he said.

Boy Scouts of the Philippines hosted two Foundation events during the 26th APR Conference in Manila in 2018. Making the two events extra special was the celebration of the Foundation’s 25th year anniversary that year. More than 200 old and new members gathered at the Foundation Fellowship. They listened to inspiring stories of young beneficiaries whose lives changed significantly since joining the Scouting programme through the Ticket to Life project. The fundraising dinner held on 18 October was equally successful with over 200 Scouts and non-Scouts participating and contributing to the event. More than US$ 50,000.00 was collectively raised. Additionally, proceeds of the special limited Foundation’s Silver Jubilee edition badge amounting to US$11,000 was raised by the Scout Association of Macau.

Fundraising Events 2018-2021