I. Background

The Banyan Tree Value Challenge (BTVC) is an opportunity for eligible NGOs to get additional funding by making a competitive presentation of a CSR project or program that meets the criteria described below. The Value Challenge is part and parcel of the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR). Qualified NGOs will be invited to make a competitive presentation for a grant of US$10,000 for the winner and the runner-up or excellence awardee gets a US$5,000 grant. Other finalists will be given a certificate of accomplishment. The certificate can possibly be used to generate funds from other sources. A travel subsidy will be granted to attend the BTVC presentation as well as complimentary registration to AFCSR for one.

BTVC is presented by Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts Pte. Ltd. Its philosophy is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul – a Sanctuary for the Senses. The Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in 21 resorts and hotels, 58 spas, 68 retail galleries and 2 golf courses.
 
The BTVC Awards ceremonies will take place in a brief pre-dinner segment of the Asian CSR Awards Gala dinner ceremonies of the Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) 2008 on November 21, 2008 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore. Hundreds of senior executives and professionals from government, business, civil society and the media will be present.

II. Search and Selection Process

Partners, associates and alumni of AIM / AFCSR and associates of Banyan Tree are asked to nominate and let the secretariat know who might have the need to make a Value Challenge pitch for funding a project.

The Awards Secretariat processes the entries, collates the supporting materials and submits these for consideration by the Screening Committee. The Screening Committee composed of AFCSR partners and specially selected experts will come up with a list of finalists who will make a competitive presentation during the pre-conference event of the seventh annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore on Wednesday, November 19, 2008.

There will be one winner and one excellence awardee who will have a chance to display their project poster on the Asian CSR Awards poster display area.

III. Rules and Regulations and How to Enter

1. Eligibility
The Banyan Tree Value Challenge is open only to NGOs from Bahrain, China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Singapore, South Korea, Seychelles, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Programs or projects by these NGOs must fit the criteria (see below) of Banyan Tree.

2. How to write an Entry and what to include
An entry to the Banyan Tree Value Challenge will only be valid if a Project Summary Form will be submitted. The summary should not be more than 1,000 words and it should state the name of the project or program, and a short descriptive title of the project or program. It should also include the objectives of the project, describing what and how the project will fulfill the criteria:

2.1. Value Creation
The program is an innovative one that meets a community need. It should be innovative and create value for the underprivileged. Is the value created short or long-term? How much value is created within the community by the existence and operation of the project?

2.2. Impact
Simply how many people in the community does the project benefit and what is their profile? How effective is the project? Does the project create permanent change? What are the quantitative and qualitative results on the community?  How much are community members involved and the extent to which they have a stake in the positive outcome of this project?

 2.3. Sustainability
How well are the resources mobilized to ensure continuity? Can the project sustain itself and for how long?  The extent to which additional fund infusions are needed to sustain its impact on the community or how well it will self generate these funds and create the conditions for which additional funds can be raised. Are there proper management policies and practices in place to guide the project to continue effectively delivering? Is the project personality driven or institutionalized to carry on even if the founder leaves?

2.4. Replication of the program
 How well the working model can be duplicated to other communities with similar needs - the flexibility of the program to be duplicated to other communities with similar needs. If the need is fulfilled but then arises again the future, can this project be efficiently and effectively recreated? In other words, how flexible is the model to incorporate slightly different criteria and needs in other locations?

The project or program can be an ongoing one or a new one but must be indigenous to the 15 countries stated above. An Asian branch of an international NGO may be considered if the project is of great interest to the organizers.

4. Supporting Materials
Please send information to support the project or program you are nominating. All entries need to be accompanied by supporting data and documentation such as but not limited to details and background of the project, how the project was conducted, who will participate and how you hope to achieve the criteria that have been set. The judges reserve the right to request for any additional information they feel appropriate.

Supporting materials MUST be in English or, if they are in another language, a certified translation must be provided. Please note that supporting materials submitted will not be returned.

Important submission note:
The supporting materials you submit will be sent to a panel of judges for review. It is ESSENTIAL that you scan and send any materials you are sending us in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or .pdf format. Please select the important pages and sections of any of the supporting materials mentioned above. If your supporting material is a book or an annual report, please just scan the cover, the table of contents and the relevant pages your project appears. The same will apply for any commercials or other videos you may wish to submit as supporting materials. These should all be in soft copy and to be sent through email ONLY.

5. Travel Allowance
Those short listed and selected to make a pitch in Singapore will be given an allowance of US$750 (total per NGO) as a support for airfare and hotel. Depending on location, this should largely, but not necessarily fully, cover budget airfare and budget hotel. Those who wish to attend AFCSR at the same time will be given one complimentary registration for each NGO that is short listed and invited to make the presentation. 

IMPORTANT
Deadline of entries: September 30, 2008

Only online nominations are accepted. Please visit www.asianforumcsr.com.

Email your Project Summary Form (Step 3 above) to gracebantaran@oiceventsasia.com

COURIER AND CUSTOMS CHARGES MUST BE PREPAID. NO ENTRIES CAN BE ACCEPTED OTHERWISE.

Please send your supporting materials (Step 4 above) by courier or registered mail to:
The Banyan Tree Value Challenge (BTVC) Steering Committee
c/o OIC EVENTS
Attention: Ms. Grace Bantaran, Awards Coordinator,
10 Garcia Villa Street, San Lorenzo Village
Makati City 1223, Philippines
Phone: (632) 812 6289, Fax: (632) 819 3752

to download the BTVC Entry Form , please click here
to download the Project Summary Form, please click here