You don’t have to. It doesn’t matter whether you run a for-profit or non-profit organization. Anyone can be selected as Asia Beautiful Fellow as long as they fit the selection criteria. There is no limit in the legal form of an organization.

No. An organization or group is not qualified for application, but the founder or co-founder of an organization can apply. Asia Beautiful Fellow focuses on “people” and selects a social innovation leader. A huge issue can not be solved by a single person, but he or she can initiate change to solve the issue by proposing innovative and sustainable ideas. This is why Asia Beautiful Fellow selects individual innovative social leaders.

No. The program is not open to one-person businesses. To be eligible, you must have at least more than one personnel employed full/part-time at your business excluding yourself.

We use the term “founder” to describe people who launched or are launching an organization based on their original ideas and are in leadership positions with major decision-making authority.

The idea of the founder is rooted in the foundation of the organization and affects all aspects of its activities. So, we believe that a founder holding major decision-making authority can better lead the entire organization toward the direction of his/her envisionment.

So, to be eligible you cannot have taken a leadership position within the organization after its founding, and must also be a leader with decision-making power within the organization.

Yes. You should be working full-time to apply to become a Asia Beautiful Fellow.

Though you may hold other professional responsibilities, If you are selected as Asia Beautiful Fellow,  you must work full time and it must remain as your main professional priority.

A founder who has run his/her organization for at least one year or longer can apply to be Asia Beautiful Fellow.

The stage of your organization must go beyond the idea stage and must be verified through business operations for more than a year. 

We focus on the people and organizations that foster and make ‘systemic change’ to solve local climate issues.  

No. To be eligible, you must submit a traceable document that includes a reliable source, and proof that can show that you ran a business based on your social mission for at least one year or longer.

Yes. Fellows are selected in two areas: projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or reinforce greenhouse gas sinks (Mitigation of Climate change) and projects to promote people’s adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis (Adaptation of Climate change).

Businesses to respond to the Mitigation and Adaptation of Climate Change as following issues:

① Advocacy/campaign (environmental education or campaigns)

② Agriculture (organic cultivation, manufacturing, processing, and sale of eco-friendly food, etc.)

③ Circular economy (waste management, reuse, recycling, re-manufacturing, upcycling, etc.) 

④ Energy (renewable energy production, saving energy and improving efficiency, etc.) 

⑤ Others 

The status will last for life. But the benefits, including monthly expenses, mentoring/consulting, and the invitation to South Korea for in-service training will only be provided for 24 months according to the agreement. However, if a Fellow or his/her organization gets involved in sensitive social/ethical issues, the status can be suspended.

A monthly grant will vary according to the income level of each nation. The amount will be determined in the final agreement.