How can philanthropic-public-private partnerships (PPPPs) unlock new possibilities for addressing the world’s most pressing challenges?
PPPPs are emerging as powerful vehicles for addressing complex global issues across interconnected areas such as climate and nature, education, and health — blending the strengths of diverse sectors to drive meaningful impact. As the world faces unprecedented challenges, collaborations between philanthropy, government, and corporations have never been more critical.
In the latest edition of PAA Chats — a thought leadership series by the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) — valued members and partners of the Alliance share their insights on how innovative multi-sector partnerships are creating sustainable, scalable solutions and fostering systemic change.
PAA is a Temasek Trust initiative to promote collaborative philanthropy and prime Asia as a force for good.
Insights from PAA Chats
Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Corporation, one of the largest business groups in the Philippines, discusses the positive impact of philanthropic-public-private partnerships in strengthening community resilience.
He highlights the importance of shifting from competition to cooperation in times of crisis, as well as the importance of trust and a shared vision for effective PPPPs.
"What we need to do as individuals, as institutions, and as communities is learn to build trust around common themes, so that when there is a need to come together, it happens automatically and not forcefully."
Ms. Carla Haddad Mardini, Director of UNICEF's Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division, underscores the transformative power of philanthropic investments in children: "When you invest in programmes and strengthen systems that exist to support children, entire communities and economies benefit. This creates more stability and equity for the years and decades to come."
By prioritising investments in child health, education, and rights, philanthropists can unlock significant returns and drive systemic change.
She also highlights the UNICEF International Council, a global network of over 135 members dedicated to advancing children's futures through collective investment and advocacy.
Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, sheds light on how PPPPs can be a game-changer in conservation efforts. Citing the Blue Nature Alliance as an example of how such partnerships have supercharged ocean conservation efforts, he discussed the unique dynamics at play when different sectors come together for a common goal.
He points out that philanthropy has an essential role in enabling large-scale impact and pushing the envelope on what’s possible: "Philanthropy should be used to do things that are inherently risky — to innovate, to take a chance, to de-risk things that the government then can come in and scale."
Dr. Sanjayan also discusses emerging trends in philanthropy, such as a shift towards calculated risks and empowering local communities.
Ms. Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programmes at The Rockefeller Foundation, discusses the transformative impact of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). The innovative initiative — launched by the Foundation in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, Bezos Earth Fund, and other key stakeholders — is tackling energy poverty by connecting underserved communities with clean and renewable energy sources.
"GEAPP was designed because we wanted to address one of the critical challenges in development right now, which is access to energy, or energy poverty."
Ms. Yee highlights GEAPP's success in reducing carbon emissions, expanding electricity access to over a million people, and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Mr. Ashish Dhawan, Founder and CEO of The Convergence Foundation, emphasises the critical role of strategic philanthropy in education.
"The state is the main actor in development, as they spend the most money and run the schools. Our job as philanthropists is to demonstrate things that work — by doing pilots, building evidence, then advocating for change."
Mr. Dhawan notes the importance of aligning philanthropic efforts with government priorities, leveraging data for impactful results, and supporting local champions.
Mr. Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, discusses the importance of collaboration in tackling global issues such as poverty and environmental sustainability.
He highlights an emissions trading scheme developed with the government of Gujarat, which resulted in a notable 20% to 30% reduction in emissions. This example underscores how strategic partnerships among governments, researchers, and philanthropists can lead to meaningful solutions.
“Intent is not good enough. You need technical advising, the best-quality sensors and machines, and a lot of research into how all these will come together. That is where the role of philanthropy was so important,” Mr. Dhaliwal adds.
Join the conversation
PAA Chats brings together leading voices across the global philanthropic, public, and private sectors for thought-provoking discussions. Discover expert insights on the latest trends in philanthropy and how PAA’s network of members and partners are driving positive change in their communities.
Watch the PAA Chats series on YouTube. For the latest on PAA, check out its LinkedIn.
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