MaGIC and Lazada Malaysia team up to promote social enterprise products

• Lazada to promote products from social enterprises curated by MaGIC
• Sept to see various SE themed weeks featuring different products

The Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC) is collaborating with Lazada Malaysia to give Malaysian social enterprises (SE) a boost. The partnership will see the e-commerce platform begin onboarding and promoting the products and services of SEs registered with MaGIC.

This is a part of MaGIC’s #buyforimpact campaign, which aims to promote a socially-conscious buying behaviour among the general public, while also encouraging more Malaysians to establish deeper connections with the social innovation ecosystem.

As part of the alliance, MaGIC will curate a list of over 10 social enterprises with products driving real change in their communities to be featured on Lazada’s e-commerce platform. This includes Komuniti Tukang Jahit, SevenTeaOne, Shop Includes by Dialogue in the Dark, Fuze Ecoteer, APE Shop, Silent Teddies, Foodbike, Chocolate Concierge, Masala Wheels, MYReader and Dreamr.

Lazada will subsidise their online startup cost, which includes the creation of store and product listings, free shipping and delivery services, training, and workshops. The e-commerce platform will also promote their products and services via customised campaigns and offer access to its digital marketing and advertising solutions.

“SEs are entities set up to drive positive change in our communities and the environment, if they do well we all do well. Which is why it is important that we band together to accelerate their growth during this period of uncertainty,” says Dzuleira Abu Bakar (pic), MaGIC chief executive officer.

“MaGIC has always been committed to supporting companies that innovate for the greater social good. Having Lazada Malaysia on board is very encouraging as it is driving more participation from private sector as they begin to recognise their crucial roles in encouraging and inspiring social innovation.”

Adding to that, Leo Chow, Lazada Malaysia CEO says: “Social entrepreneurs are battling at the forefront of this pandemic to serve the most vulnerable populations using their ingenuity to confront the social problems on the ground. These ‘Impact entrepreneurs’ are responding to this by reinventing new ways of doing business with a social purpose.

“Lazada is committed to helping them bounce back and thrive in this new recovery phase. We look forward to supporting and playing our part in their mission, at a time when they are needed more than ever.”

Bringing positive change

Since early August 2020, Malaysians have been able to purchase products made by social enterprises on Lazada via a special #buyforimpact page on its platform. The range of products include items such as layered cakes by Ibupreneur, and arts and crafts from Eats, Shoots & Roots made by marginalised communities.

Then there’s the heirloom rice by Langit, t-shirts by environmental conservationists APE Malaysia, and arts and crafts produced by marginalised communities (Krayon Asia) and several more.

The partnership ultimately focuses on driving a new form of awareness in socially-conscious consumerism and shining a spotlight on the top social innovators making a change in our communities.

Throughout the month of Sept, #buyforimpact will run weekly features of on-ground and online activities, virtual SE related content, sharing sessions and product showcases by a line-up of SEs championing various causes. Additionally, the campaign will run Demo Days for aspiring SEs to showcase their businesses to funding agencies and potential investors.

Each week of September will represent different themes. 12 to 17 September, for instance, is Buy for Environment week, which will feature SEs that are selling products and services driving positive change for the environment.

19 to 24 September will be Buy for Arts & Heritage Week, featuring SEs driving awareness and preserving the local arts and heritage scene. Lastly, 25 to 30 September will be Buy for Empowerment week, which promotes SEs with products and services that empower local talent from underserved communities.

For more details about MaGIC’s #buyforimpact campaign and for a detailed list of the on-ground and online activities happening in September can be found at mymagic.my/

The social enterprise products on Lazada can be found at https://s.lazada.com.my/s.YMAuE