UBS Optimus Foundation joins forces with Project Melo to offer seed funding to support young people in responding to climate issues

Hong Kong, 10 April 2024 – Project Melo has launched a joint partnership with UBS Optimus Foundation Hong Kong as its seed funder known as the UBS x Melo Social Challenge. The program is aimed at tackling the most pressing environmental topics facing Hong Kong. The Challenge will allow small teams of young people who were shortlisted for the competition based on their applications to work directly with company CEOs and climate experts to devise innovative ideas. Their concepts will be presented in front of a live audience at the two-day impact summit on 21 – 22 June 2024, the “Melofest”, with the winning team receiving seed funding to make their proposed solution come to life.

“The UBS x Melo Social Challenge represents a shared commitment to nurturing responsible, empathetic leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges of our time. Through this partnership, we hope to make a lasting difference in the lives of Hong Kong's young generation and the broader society.” Maggie Luk, CEO at Project Melo said.

Ming Geng, Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy at UBS for Greater China, added: “We are delighted to support Project Melo as the first social enterprise UBS Optimus Foundation is partnering with in the region. This aligns with our aim of driving systemic and catalytic impact, especially for young people, locally and globally. The program also strongly supports two of our thematic priority areas: empowering children and young people through education and secondly, combating climate change and protecting the environment.”

Melofest is for innovative youth leadership, fostering collaboration and bridging the gap between C-level executives and young voices for meaningful impact. The event will span two days and feature a range of activities, including Joint Discovery sessions, competitions, game show, panel discussion and more. CEOs and students will actively participate in these engaging sessions, fostering meaningful interactions and exchange of ideas.

About UBS Optimus Foundation

UBS Optimus Foundation is an independent foundation that offers UBS clients a platform to use their wealth to drive positive social and environmental change. The Foundation selects programs that improve children’s health, education, and protection, ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable, and sustainable as well as programs tackling environmental and climate issues.

About Project Melo

Project Melo is a non-profit social enterprise that has reached over 700+ university students and 40+ CEOs, aiming to establish a two-way mentorship network and foster collaborative impact projects. Through Melo, by having the new generation engage directly with leading CEOs, they wish to co-create positive, lasting impact for specific issues of our society and empower youth for the long term. To date, the Melo community has completed close to 1000 volunteer hours for approved Hong Kong charities and workedon over 17 social projects co-created with CEOs.