The ICA-AP held the fourth edition of the Asia Pacific Cooperative Youth Summit (APCYS 4.0) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, from 27 to 30 July 2023. It focused on the theme “Cooperation for Sustainable Lifestyles” and the role of youth in furthering sustainable lifestyles for a greener planet.
APCYS 4.0 was organized in collaboration with the ICA-AP Committee on Youth Cooperation (ICYC) and hosted by the Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD), Malaysia and Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM), and with support from the Sabah Tourism Board. It was also supported by many national and international partners such as the Ministry of Industrial Development & Entrepreneurship (MIDE, Sabah) and National Land Finance Co-op Society Limited (Malaysia) as strategic partners; All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives (ACFSMC); Krishak Bharti Cooperative Ltd. (KRIBHCO, India), Japanese Consumers’ Cooperative Union (JCCU, Japan) and Dot Cooperation (United Kingdom) as International Partners, and Koperasi Coopbank Pertama Bhd, Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Bhd, Koperasi Kakitangan PETRONAS Bhd, Koperasi Kakitangan Felcra (M) Bhd, Koperasi Jamin Ranau Bhd, Koposizon Homestay Papar Bhd and Persatuan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Suara Buluh Perindu as Malaysian Partners.
The response to APCYS 4.0 was heartening. Over the 4 days, we witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 185 attendees representing 16 countries (Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam).
During the Opening Ceremony, Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development, Malaysia welcomed cooperative youth from across the Asia-Pacific region to his home State of Sabah. He said, “The contributions of youth to society cannot be underestimated. They bring fresh perspectives, creative ideas, and a passion for change. Youth are the catalysts for progress, acting as change agents in their communities and driving social, economic, and environmental initiatives. Malaysia has 207 youth cooperatives with 99,000 members. My Ministry is dedicated to encouraging more coops & platforms like this Summit are important to attract more youth to coops."
The participants had the opportunity to explore the beautiful and culturally diverse Sabah; learn about youth-led sustainable practices and ventures; experience hands-on cooperative activities through community immersion; participate in the Go Green Campaign; interact and network with peers from the region and enjoy the spirit of youth cooperativism.
The Summit featured 13 speakers from 9 countries (Australia, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea), 3 invigorating plenaries, 8 engaging breakout sessions, and an exciting COOP Pitch competition with 11 finalists and 3 winners.
COOP Pitch, a key highlight of APCYS, provides the participants with the opportunity to pitch cooperative business solutions catering to the needs and aspirations of the youth and community in their country. This year, 11 finalist teams from 7 countries – India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam pitched live. The winners were Muda Mudi Coop from Indonesia followed by Likas Vocational College from Sabah, Malaysia, and Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s Coop Youth Planet from Cebu, the Philippines.
1st Prize: Muda Mudi Coop, Indonesia
Team Members: Vastukencana Sih Gita Garudatama and Fadhila Kresna Diarsa
Muda Mudi Coop is a worker cooperative based in East Java, Indonesia engaged in various ICT services such as website creation, social media optimization, branding and IT system software provider. Its coop pitch was to establish a unit which aims to become one of the biggest manufacturers of wood pallets in Southeast Asia. It has a patented wood pallet formula developed using sugarcane and coconut shell waste. Armed with a mission to reduce the consumption of coal and benefit a larger section of society in the alternate fuel market, Muda Mudi Coop is a young enterprise establishing a network of small manufacturers of wood pallets.
2nd prize: Likas Vocational College (Sabah, Malaysia)
Team Members: Mohammad Syafiq Mohd Yusri, Jiroryce Michael Chia, Nursari Hamid, and Nur Maisarah Balqis Jinno
Likas Vocational College pitched for a cooperative which would revolutionize the construction industry with its eco-paving block. The coop’s value proposition lies in offering eco paver bricks, an environmentally friendly alternative for construction projects. These bricks are crafted from recycled materials, promoting sustainability and waste reduction. By utilizing palm oil and tire waste, the coop transforms these materials into high-quality paving blocks, minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource utilization. Its mission extends beyond creating a product – educate and inspire stakeholders, including builders, architects, and consumers, about the importance of sustainable construction.
3rd Prize: Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (MPC) Coop Youth Planet (Cebu, the Philippines)
Team Members: Leo Lingel Tango-An Pañares and Marnel Encarquez Leones
The team pitched the CocoCycle idea, offering a comprehensive and innovative approach to the coconut industry. It combines multiple elements such as fair-trade practices, waste-to-energy initiatives, and the development of value-added products. CocoCycle aims to become a leading provider of sustainable coconut-based products, driving positive social impact to achieve financial success while positively influencing the lives of coconut farming communities and minimizing its ecological footprint.
The winners will receive cash prizes worth USD 4,500 (first prize, USD 2,500; second prize, USD 1,500; and third prize, USD 1,000), guidance and mentorship support to further develop, validate and implement their cooperative ideas.
The judging panel for Coop Pitch 2023 included Ms. Prakruti Upadhyay Pandya, Director of Finance – National Yuva Co-op Society Ltd, India; Mr. Alex Shieh, Senior Manager, Youth & Women, Singapore National Co-operative Federation; and Mr. Zaiwin Kassim, Chairman, Sarawak Innovative Youth Coop, Malaysia.
While addressing the participants at the Closing Ceremony, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia said, “I strongly believe that youth participation in cooperatives can be a catalyst for their personal growth, leadership skills, and community engagement, while fostering sustainable and ethical business practices that benefit society at large.” He outlined five compelling reasons for youth to pursue businesses through cooperatives which included Empowerment and Ownership, Skill Development, Entrepreneurial Experience, Community Engagement and Networking and Collaboration. “APCYS 4.0 has been one of the best platforms to strengthen youth cooperative movement. Training & education, youth energy, and enthusiasm have been inspiring throughout the Summit”, Dr. Hamidi added.
ICA-AP thanks the hosts ANGKASA, MECD, SKM, MIDE, all sponsors and the national and international partners for all their immense support in successfully organising APCYS 4.0!
