If social media juggernauts like Facebook are known for anything, it is for building communities, bridging people, and amplifying voices that can impact the world meaningfully. In order to fortify this mission and help uplift more communities, Facebook recently launched a six-month Community Accelerator programme that aims to equip community leaders with the training, membership, and funding necessary for their respective community’s growth.
The goal of the programme is to help enable community leaders to understand and address their needs in sustaining and strengthening their communities, while establishing and managing strategic relationships with key partners — all to bolster and embolden their efforts.
“Facebook’s mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. We started the Community Accelerator programme to help community leaders on Facebook grow and sustain meaningful communities that have a positive impact on the world,” said Grace Clapham, Facebook’s Head of Community Partnerships APAC.
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As such, last December 18, thirteen communities from the first cohort have graduated from the programme. The communities from Asia Pacific — particularly from countries like Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines — who finished the programme marked their virtual graduation ceremony with presentations at the inaugural Community Accelerator Demo Day. Ranging from food security projects for rural children to education initiatives for people living with disabilities, the communities that have completed the programme show dynamic range and have proven to provide positive impact to different communities all over the world.
“Undaunted by the challenges COVID-19 has presented to them, we are proud to see how participant community leaders have taken learnings from the programme, built connections with other leaders to help them achieve and even surpassed their initial goals. Our heartiest congratulations to all the participants and we look forward to seeing their continued success,” Clapham added.
13 communities who finished the six-month programme
1. #MentalHealthPH was created in 2016 to promote and protect mental health in the Philippines through the use of social media and digital technology. The community focuses on creating a safer digital space for every Filipino with the vision of creating a mentally healthy community for all. #MentalHealthPH’s programs and advocacy reach 40,000+ followers, connecting volunteers, partners, influencers and supporters through virtual and on-ground activities.
2. In 2009, Ayesha started Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK) to partner with farmers and fisherfolk to solve hunger, get kids back to school and create a self-sustaining future. Starting with ARK’s 5-cent School Lunch, farmers and changemakers co-create and co-invest in a path for communities in need to stand on their own. With 16 partner communities and one million 5-cent lunches, ARK zeroed out malnutrition, brought 5,000+ kids to school, and created new economies for a hopeful future.
3. In 2017, BEAGIVER was founded to provide individuals and organizations opportunities to make social impact in their communities. It has since become a movement that champions education for impoverished children by providing school bags, supplies and scholarships, and supporting other education-related projects. The movement has reached 67,000+ school children in 200 communities in the Philippines and has launched other projects to empower communities.
4. In 2017, Maria Korina started Filipina Homebased Moms (FHMoms) to help mothers obtain financial security and personal growth by helping women find home-based livelihood opportunities. Starting as a Facebook community, it has grown into a platform offering e-learning, ecommerce and job matching opportunities. FHMoms support its 209,000 members with free webinars, computer rent-to-own, job opportunities and giveaways.
5. Yohana Habsari started Indonesian Babywearers after finding relief from her postpartum depression through babywearing. It is now a community that empowers parents by promoting positive learning habits and ethics in everyday life. Its 108,000+ members have learned about babywearing and connect through events on parenting topics through local chapters in multiple cities around the country.
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6. Lack of education is one of the leading causes of unemployment for people with disabilities in Thailand. To help solve the problem, Chatchai Aphibanpoonpon started LearnNaiDee, a program to improve education for people with disabilities to unleash their full potential in life. Since its launch, 600+ students with disabilities have found their path to higher education through their Facebook page, Group, and annual offline-events.
7. Local Alike was established in 2011 to develop, empower and connect Thai tourism communities to the world. 300 villages across Thailand successfully and sustainably run their community-based tourism business. The community works with 150 villages, generating more than 2M USD in tourism income for them.
8. Nur Yana Yirah founded MotherHope Indonesia (MHI) after being frustrated with the lack of family support when experiencing postpartum depression. It is now a safe place for moms and promotes perinatal mental health literacy to support mothers and families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Through Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, 33,000+ members have been educated and supported by MHI and some members have become mental health professionals.
9. Kanpassorn Surivasangpetch started Ooca in 2016 to help people through the stigma of mental health by connecting people to a psychologist and psychiatrist anonymously through an online video call platform. Ooca has become the leading platform to help people through stigma and inaccessibility, while also helping mental health professionals better connect with their clients. 72,000 people are registered on the Ooca platform and 6000+ people have received online help.
10. Ripple GI started in 2016 to connect young Australians with purpose-driven career development opportunities and increase their civic participation. It now supports purpose-driven young people to harness their agency and create impact in every sphere of their lives. Ripple helps 10,000+ members create impact by matching them with thousands of purposeful career opportunities, training them to build communities and lead youth voter drives.
11. In 2019, Sepri Andi started Social Connect in Indonesia to build affordable access to mental health knowledge, resources, and consultation for less than 5 USD per month. Social Connect has become a friendly place where mental health survivors share their stories, sign up for a class, get consultation, and receive help. Its 5000+ members have given back through a variety of projects, such as writing articles, hosting online seminars, offering consultations, and creating a support group to help mental health survivors get better and recover.
12. Young Pride Club was established by Best Chitsanupong in 2018 and supported by WSC CMU to provide a safe learning space for young people interested in gender equality and the LGBT+ community. The community provides on the ground and online activism activities to develop leadership, participation, and cooperation for gender equality and diversity advocacy. It has 20,000 followers and has developed 50+ young LGBT+ leaders across 4 regions of Thailand, collaborating with 50+ NGOs and organized Chiang Mai Pride with 1,000 participants.
13. Seniors make up 20% of the Thai population. Within this demographic, 80% are active seniors, but are often excluded, leading to boredom, depression, and health issues. YOUNGHAPPY helps seniors maintain an active lifestyle that promotes their self-esteem, keeps them engaged with their peers, and supports their wellbeing. 60,000 members of the community and 5,000+ elderly participate in their activities, helping to increase WHO’s active ageing index by 15% higher than Thailand’s average.
Having received growth-related training, hands-on mentorship, and funds to grow their community and create impact, we can only expect great things to emerge from these communities.
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