Topic Research

VA Selected Cases

Reasonable and effective interval of the density of social emergency volunteers for Tecent SSV

Project Description

In 2023, VA was commissioned by the Social Emergency Lab of Tencent's Sustainable Social Value Division (SSV) to conduct a research project on the reasonable and effective interval of the density of social emergency volunteers, using a shopping mall as a test scenario, and to output a reasonable number and distribution of volunteers positioned in the shopping mall under the ideal level of rescue rate through field research and modeling.

Key activities

  • Conducted industry research on the domestic and international cardiac arrest emergency field, focusing on benchmarkable parameters in the international emergency field as well as practices and experiences similar to the SSV model
  • Field testing and research in 3 shopping malls, interviews with mall staff to understand the implementation of the "web-based" emergency response system in shopping malls, the willingness of first aid volunteers to respond, and the collection of parameters needed for modeling
  • Customized mathematical models, comprehensive analysis of model results from the sample malls, and operational optimization recommendations for subsequent scaling of the project

Review of the "Sunshine School Meals" program

Project Description

In September 2022, VA was invited to conduct a holistic review of the "Sunshine School Meals" program, a joint project between the Prudential Foundation and the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), to summarize the successful experience of the program and serve as a reference for Prudential's support to improve the nutrition of underprivileged children in other countries and regions, as well as to promote the health and development of children around the world.

Key activities

  • Conducted desktop research, including reviewing information on program materials, research literature, and policy recommendations of the Sunshine School Meal Program over the past 10 years, and summarizing the program's intervention model, management mechanism, and evaluation system
  • Conducted multi-stage interviews with CDRF project stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding of the design thinking and considerations behind the implementation of the project, and to summarize and distill the key success factors
  • Conducted field visits and participated with representatives from CDRF and Prudential to visit project implementation sites in Guizhou to gather feedback and implementation status from the field and to gain an in-depth understanding of the various implementation aspects of the project
  • Write a project compendium report (bilingual), including a summary of the project's overall intervention model and impact by phase, an analysis of the project's fundraising and management mechanisms, and a summary of the project's success factors and lessons learned

Research Project on Dual-carbon Issues for a European Family Philanthropic Foundation

Project Description

In June 2022, VA was invited by an international philanthropic foundation to conduct a study on how domestic foundations can contribute to the national dual-carbon strategy, and to provide recommendations for the philanthropic foundation and its partners on grantmaking in China.

Key activities

  • Scan policies related to China's dual-carbon goals
  • Conducted research to understand the strategic goals and priorities, the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy implementation process, and the needs and expectations for capacity building and partnership building through international cooperation of the domestic foundations
  • Make recommendations for the foundation and its partners to carry out grantmaking in China

CSR scan for Nike's CSR department

Project Description

In 2021, VA was invited to conduct an industry CSR scan for Nike's CSR department and provide justification for the establishment of the Nike Foundation, which included scanning the structure and focus areas of foreign companies' philanthropic efforts in China and analyzing the latest trends in CSR.

Key activities

  • Conducted desktop research to analyze the latest trends and models of current CSR promotion, and benchmarked research to analyze the characteristics of CSR design in top tech companies
  • Interviewed two foundation staff of foreign companies and participated in a workshop to bring in external first-hand information
  • Summarized Nike's CSR strategy of operation and promotion to argue the need of establishing a foundation

Strategy Review for Ellen MacArthur Foundation in China

Project Description

In 2021, VA was invited to conduct a five-year (2018-2022) strategy review for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in China. In-depth research was conducted on three key sectors of the foundation's circular economy focus to help advance its future strategic agenda in China.

Key activities

  • Conducted research on three key industries under the Foundation's circular economy focus: textiles, plastics, and circular agriculture. Analyzed policies and regulations, industry research reports, and academic literature related to the three industries
  • Interviewed more than 30 internal and external stakeholders, including the internal staffs and managers, experts from universities, industry associations, and INGO

Inclusive Business Feasibility Analysis and Market Demand Study for ADB

Project Description

In 2017-2018, VA was invited to conduct a research project on inclusive business in China for the Asian Development Bank, providing an overview of inclusive business models among domestic and overseas Chinese companies and identifying potential investment opportunities.

Key activities

  • Screened more than 70 enterprises with inclusive business models and conducted in-depth interviews with nearly 20 of them to assess their inclusive business models, social impact, and financing needs
  • Discussed with 5 high-potential enterprises on their financing needs, how international development agencies can respond to these needs, and the potential role that inclusive business can play in rural development
  • Organized a workshop on inclusive business and prepared the final report of the Inclusive Business in China

A Study of Social Enterprises and Fiduciary Properties in the Community

Project Description

In recent years, Chengdu has introduced policies to further guide the participation of social enterprises in community development and governance. This study focuses on the emerging practice of "community enterprises" funded by neighborhood committees in urban communities, as well as the transformation of real estate companies into fiduciary social enterprises (SEs).

Key activities

  • Studied national policies, laws and regulations related to community enterprises through desktop research, and gained an understanding of the case studies of the fiduciary property model, the required elements, and the strengths and weaknesses of the fiduciary property model.
  • Visited three grassroots communities in Chengdu and interviewed community stakeholders, representatives of relevant government departments, social enterprises and community development experts for opinions and suggestions.

Research on Social Investment Development in East Asia

Project Description

VA was invited to conduct research on social investment in nine East Asian countries and regions, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, and to make recommendations to the client on the establishment of a regional social investment platform.

Key activities

  • Conducted interviews and desktop research to understand the development and challenges of the social investment ecosystem in the East Asia region.
  • Examined how a prospective regional social investment platform could tackle these issues while evaluating its potential value.
  • Offered recommendations on the design and operation of the platform, and devised specific implementation programs and steps.