ASSIST’s ANNAKKO Project Bags Another Gold at the 1st Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - November 18, 2025 - Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) proudly announces that one of its initiative, ANNAKKO: Our Children, Our Future, has won the Gold Award under the Social: Human Rights and Labor Standards - SME/Mid-tier category at the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

This milestone follows ANNAKKO’s recent recognition at the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, where it also received the Gold Award. The back-to-back win reinforces ASSIST’s leadership in advancing human rights, social responsibility and sustainability across Asia.

ANNAKKO: Our Children, Our Future champions child labor protection and youth empowerment. The project raises awareness on children’s rights, strengthens protective systems, and promotes education, employment and livelihood opportunities. By engaging and empowering schools, teachers, parents, youth organizations and local leaders, ANNAKKO fosters safer, nurturing environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Since its launch, the project has reached numerous communities through interactive training, advocacy campaigns, and livelihood programs that help families become more resilient and self-reliant. ANNAKKO also champions collaboration between public and private stakeholders to build lasting systems that uphold children’s rights and social equity.

Representing ASSIST at the ceremony was Francis Macatulad, Director for Business Development, who shared, “It is a privilege for ASSIST to be recognized at the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, winning gold for the human rights and labor standards category for our child labor protection program, ANNAKKO. We are thankful for E-EPIC for promoting ESG excellence in Asia and creating better awareness and understanding about sustainability and social development. As our region continues to grow, it is imperative that organizations place people and the environment at the heart of their ESG strategies for long-term sustainability.”

The Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate excellence in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations while achieving measurable, positive impact. ANNAKKO’s recognition highlights ASSIST’s holistic and rights-based approach to sustainable development, ensuring that no child is left behind as communities progress. 

This notable recognition stands as a testament to ASSIST’s continued commitment to protecting children, empowering communities, and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.

------------------

About ASSIST
ASSIST is a self-sustaining pan-Asian non-profit organization that seeks to achieve sustainable transformation to ensure improvement of social equity amongst all. Its goal is to empower target groups and make them resilient to social, economic and environmental challenges. It believes more good can be achieved through collaboration, open communication and capacity building, anchored to the philosophy "Partners for Progress". It has carried out over 500 projects funded by organizations across Southeast Asia, South Asia, China and Africa.

About Asia ESG Impact Awards:
Organized by the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC), a collaboration of media platforms across Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, the awards highlight exemplary ESG practices and promote regional sustainability leadership. Winners were selected for innovation, measurable impact and commitment to long-term, inclusive growth.