The 2021 edition of the Facebook Community Accelerator program has launched!

With the difficulties that come with community building, it is important for leaders to garner support from reputable institutions and industry experts. This is the onus of the Facebook Community Accelerator Program: to help nurture communities by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and support that allow them to learn, network, share, and collaborate.

Spearheaded by community-building leader Facebook in partnership with startup ecosystem platform e27, the program is designed to help leaders harness the power of their community to turn impactful ideas into action. With access to new products, one of a kind training and coaching opportunities, and potential funding, this program is a game-changer for carefully selected communities across the Asia Pacific. 

Meet the 19 communities and their leaders

The Bicycle Scouts Project, Inc
Country Base: Philippines
Community Lead: Myles Delfin

“This opportunity to be connected to Facebook directly is important for us as a real-world community doing social good and fostering community-based disaster resilience.”

In 2013, Bike Scouts was created to provide a network of support and an alternative means of access to communication and essential supplies in the aftermath of severe disasters. Bike Scouts serves as a platform for social teamwork for anyone that wants to do something good in their own community or anywhere in the world where help is needed. Since its creation, Bike Scouts has grown to multiple pages and groups local to the different communities where they can make a difference.

Also read: ScaleUp Malaysia and e27: a partnership that could turn the tide for startups in the region

Bounce Back PH
Country Base: Philippines
Community lead: Jason Dela Rosa

“The Facebook Community Accelerator Program is an awesome way for us to make a real impact in the community that we want to serve and the social goals we want to achieve.”

In March 2020, Jason started Bounce Back PH to help small businesses and subject matter experts endure and recover from the pandemic. Bounce Back PH’s goal is to provide a community where businesses and business leaders can work together to help each other recover and rise above the crisis. With over 65,000 members, the group has launched hundreds of learning and mentorship programs, donation drives, retooling, and business matching activities for SMEs.

Doctorate Support Group
Country Base: Malaysia
Community lead: Anita Binti Adnan

“I am honoured to be selected for the Facebook Community Accelerator Program as I believe there should be more education content highlighted for Facebook users.”

In 2010, Anita created the Doctorate Support Group to provide support for Malaysian Postgraduates who were struggling to write their thesis and needed resources. The community has become a one-stop centre for all resources related to Postgraduates, especially in Malaysia and South East Asia. Members who have graduated come back and give support through webinars and thesis coaching to others who are still on the journey.

Entrepreneurs and Startups in Malaysia
Country base: Malaysia
Community Lead: Daniel Cerventus Lim

“Being selected to the Facebook Community Accelerator Program enables us to serve our community better.”

In 2009, Daniel started a group to empower entrepreneurs around Malaysia to grow and learn from each other. Entrepreneurs and Startup Malaysia aims to enable entrepreneurs to reach their full potential and lift Malaysia’s economy. Throughout the pandemic, the community has come together to help each other’s businesses survive.

Fifty Shades of Aid (50 SOA)
Country Base: Thailand
Community Lead: Maya Hasan

Founded in 2015, Fifty Shades of Aid is a community created by and for humanitarian aid workers to connect, support, and advocate for the people behind dangerous professions. The community’s network of 26,000+ members with chapters in 35 cities, including many active humanitarian crisis locations, benefit from a safe and brave space to share stories, seek advice, and find support.

GABUNGAN ANAK-ANAK PALSI SEREBRUM (GAPS)
Country Base: Malaysia
Community Lead: Rafidah Ahmad

Rafidah founded Gabungan Anak-Anak Palsi Serebrum (GAPS) in 2016 to support and empower the Cerebral Palsy (CP) community in Malaysia and to increase public awareness. GAPS creates awareness and provides socio-emotional support, information, and resources to empower people with CP, families, and society. The community’s 2,300+ members and non-members have benefited from the sharing, training, projects, and sports and recreations activities, significantly increasing visibility and reach.

Home Buddies PH
Country Base: Philippines
Community Lead: Frances Cabatuando

“We feel grateful to Facebook for recognising the impact we’ve shared with Filipinos through these challenging times, and we hope to positively transform more lives through the mentorship we’ll receive through this program.”

Frances created Home Buddies to inspire and equip Filipinos with ideas on how they can live and work comfortably while stuck at home during the pandemic. Home Buddies aims to give Filipino home enthusiasts a safe, creative space where they can share and exchange home improvement tips and design inspirations. The 2.7 million-strong community continues to shape the local home improvement scene, hosting free webinars, empowering small businesses, and creating jobs for displaced workers.

insKru
Country Base: Thailand
Community Lead: Namo Dulyakorn

“Always inspired, Always insKru”

In 2018, Namo established insKru with a determined dream for all kids in Thailand to learn happily and with a purpose along with their teachers to ultimately make good education accessible for all. insKru aims to spread ideas and possibilities for learning by creating an inspiring community for teachers and empower them to continue growing as kids’ learning partners.

Also read: Industrial IoT startup Sophic Automation set to scale up Industry 4.0 projects in the region

KakiRepair by KakiDIY
Country Base: Malaysia
Community Lead: Johnson Lam

“We only live once. But in your lifetime, touch as many lives as you can; you will be able to live your life through them.”

Johnson started KakiRepair in 2017 as a movement to encourage people to fix their own stuff rather than just throw them away. KakiRepair by KakiDIY is a collaborative platform powered by the community to post-repair related issues, diagnose, fix, and learn from one another. Its 14,000+ members actively post-repair related issues and constantly help each other to solve problems and share best practices.

Komunitas Peduli Skizofrenia Indonesia
Country base: Indonesia
Community lead: Bagus Utomo

Komunitas Peduli Skizofrenia Indonesia started in 2009 to provide group support for people with schizophrenia and their families. The group promotes mental health awareness and works to fight the stigma.

Mobile Chess Club Philippines
Country base: Philippines
Community Lead: Mark Angelo Godin

“In the game of chess, same as in life, it’s either we win or we learn.”

In 2019, Mark began travelling the country to promote chess. During the pandemic, and with travel no longer an option, he utilised Facebook to continue promoting chess.  Mobile Chess Club Philippines aims to make chess one of the popular sports in the country. The community members include chess masters, non-masters, and chess enthusiasts. The community conducts tournaments, match-ups, and other chess activities, funded by the community through donations and sponsorship. 

Peri Kertas
Country Base: Indonesia
Community Lead: Rauf Raphanus

“I am very honoured to be selected as one of the Community Accelerator participants. It’s our passion to develop papercraft and provide a safe place for others to learn more about it.”

Peri Kertas started in 2009 to provide a safe place for papercraft enthusiasts to learn, discuss, develop, interact with, and inspire each other. The group hosts free papercraft downloads, raises awareness to make environmentally friendly papercraft from reused paper, and gives free papercraft workshops for schools and foster houses.

Philippine Surfing Spot
Country Base: Philippines
Community lead: JP Pasaylo

“[Our goal is] transforming the children of the world as valuable human resources of their respective communities.”

In 2019, JP started Philippine Surfing Spot to open opportunities for children interested in surfing. The group has since become the go-to entity in training children in surfing and has helped nurture their sense of responsibility in protecting the seas, oceans, and marine life. The 5,000 members help conduct a series of community activities such as weekly coastal cleanup, mangrove tree planting activities, children surf training, safety awareness programs, and more.

Phonetography Community
Country Base: Philippines
Community Lead: Dem Oliva

“The Facebook Accelerator Program gives communities hope, opportunity, and support to grow sustainably and create more significant impact. Thank you, Facebook and team!”

Phonetography started in March 2017 to create a space for people passionate about mobile photography to connect, share, and learn from each other. The community grew from less than 1000 people in the Philippines to 280,000 people globally at the start of the pandemic. The group’s mission is to spread creativity, one photo at a time.

Pig Academy Group
Country Base: Philippines
Community Lead: Oreste David

“The Facebook Accelerator Program will help us promote backyard pig raising to help generate income for poor people in the countryside.”

Dr David started Pig Academy Group to help backyard pig raisers in the Philippines gain knowledge in hog raising and grow their income and production of pigs in the countryside. The community’s goal is to increase the profitability and productivity of backyard pig farmers in the Philippines by teaching them modern ways of pig farming and giving free pig veterinary consultation. The 53,000 members learn to raise pigs and grow their network of hog raisers and others in the pig industry through live training and Q&As with pig experts.

Play:On Indonesia Community
Country Base: Indonesia
Community Lead: Rangga Marvel

“It’s all about being a positive influencer — anyone can share anything, but not all influencing is a positive thing.”

Playon Indonesia Club is a hobby group where all members can do healthy sports and running activities. With thousands of members across the country, the community motivates others to do family activities outdoors and encourage healthy activities for kids. 

Queer Safe Spaces (Family RoTin)
Country Base: Philippines
Community Lead: Roanne Carreon

“We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re ready to take our space.”

In 2019, Roanne and her partner started Family RoTin to help young, queer people who are navigating through their sexuality feel seen and validated. The community serves as a support group for Filipino queer people and allies, especially during the pandemic, when many have been stuck in unsafe spaces. With over 14,000 members, this community was able to spearhead several donation drives, fundraising events, and outreach programs.

Also read: Protégé Ventures as a gateway for VCs to invest in the future

Scoliosis Philippines Support Group Inc. (ScoliosisPH)
Country base: Philippines
Community Lead: Amanda Bonife-Kiamko

“Alone, we are strong. Together, we are stronger.”

Amanda created Scoliosis Philippines Support Group on Facebook to raise awareness, help give scoliosis patients a forum to share their issues and stories, and provide psychosocial support. Its 31,000+ members have been able to connect with other patients and feel empowered through meetups, awareness events, learning sessions, and story sharing.

Solo Female Travelers
Country Base: Singapore
Community lead: Mar Pages

“We are excited to be a part of Facebook’s Accelerator and continue empowering women to travel solo safely and on their own terms.”

Solo Female Travelers started in 2015 as a place for women who love to travel on their own to connect with each other. The group empowers women to travel solo, safely, and on their own terms via the community, online resources, and women-only small group tours. Solo Female Travelers has empowered thousands of women to take their first solo trip safely and confidently, breaking stereotypes, expectations, and barriers.

Culminating in a demo day, the Facebook Community Accelerator Program also provides participants with the opportunity to share their goals and strike potential partnerships with other communities in the future.

For more information, visit the Facebook Community Accelerator Program official page.

The post Facebook Community Accelerator Program introduces the 19 communities of the 2021 APAC cohort appeared first on e27.