A kick-off ceremony of the “Ride for FutureMakers 2022” was held in Vietnam, to raise funds for FutureMakers, Standard Chartered Bank’s global initiative to tackle inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion in its markets. 

Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam staff join the challenge. Photo: Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam

The three-day challenge seeks to raise at least US$32,000, including the bank’s matching fund. This is the third cycling event that has been organized by the bank since 2014 to raise funds for community activities.

Taking place from July 14 to 16, the ride sees 55 Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam staff, supported by a crew of their colleagues, cycle from Binh Khanh to Long Son, Ba Ria Vung Tau, via Vung Tau and Binh Chau, in an average distance of 60km per day. 

Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Vietnam, said: “The challenge is part of our non-stop efforts to lift participation, in which we aim to empower the next generation to learn, earn and grow. We believe that this is important to the sustainable development of an economy as well as to our success over the long-term.” 

In Vietnam, Futuremakers has been making a meaningful impact through multiple programs deployed in partnership with NGO partners, which focus on unleashing the potential of women and improving lives in the communities.

The raised money will add to Standard Chartered’s FutureMakers global fundraising target of $50 million by 2023. In 2020, in response to Covid-19, the bank committed a further $25 million to Futuremakers to support economic recovery for young people impacted by the pandemic. This brings its total fundraising and donation target for Futuremakers to $75 million between 2019 and 2023. 

Between 2019 and 2021, nearly $64 million was contributed to Futuremakers through fundraising and the group’s donations. During the period, the programs reached more than 670,000 young people across 41 countries.