Governments struggle meeting social demands, need private, social sector assistance - CAPS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 -- The Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) recently released the second edition of its Doing Good Index (DGI2020), revealing the social sector's vital role and how Asian countries help or hinder it.

According to a statement, DGI2020 shows not only that governments must do more, but that private/corporate donations must play their part in meeting people’s needs.

Today, 45 per cent of Asian social development organisations (SDOs) receive funding from foreign sources (approximately 25 per cent of their budget), but more than half of Asian economies are witnessing declining foreign funding.

Meanwhile, 25 per cent of SDOs in Asia are unaware that tax deductions are available for charitable donations.

Also, according to the DGI2020, 61 per cent of SDOs with government contracts find it difficult to access procurement information.

Three-quarters of organisations surveyed report being involved in policy consultations, up from half in 2018.

Eleven of 18 economies say CSR and public-private partnerships are receiving more attention.

In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, charitable giving has focused on local community response. International support is declining and ‘Asia for Asia’ philanthropy must fill the gap.

The DGI2020 research surveyed 2,189 SDOs and interviewed 145 country experts across 18 Asian economies including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Myanmar.

More details at http://caps.org/

-- BERNAMA