Couple standing in front of their colorful house, with a solar panel visible on the roof.

Build Beyond

A collaborative financing opportunity transforming homes and lives across Asia and the Pacific


 

Globally, 2.8 billion people live in inadequate housing, deprived of safety, stability and dignity. In Asia Pacific alone, 600 million reside in slums and informal settlements often lacking access to clean water, sanitation and secure tenure.

The region also bears the brunt of climate change, with seven of the 20 most vulnerable nations located here. These intersecting crises are pushing already fragile communities further into risk.

Build Beyond is a bold, strategic response to these urgent challenges.

Philanthropists and corporations are invited to co-invest in high-impact, innovative and scalable solutions tailored to the region’s evolving needs. Grounded in local consultation and a “bottom-up” approach, projects are designed to deliver impact within one to two years, facilitating measurable improvements in critical areas aligned with Habitat’s regional strategy. 

Challenges

Lack of decent housing and facilities

Over 500 million people live in slums across Asia-Pacific. A billion live without basic sanitation, and 500 million do not have a clean water supply, so diseases are rife. Also, 160 million have no electricity. Numbers are rising rapidly.

Climate and environment emergencies

Low-income communities often endure harsh living conditions and unhealthy local environments. The escalating impacts of climate change have serious consequences.

Financial and social inequity

Families with informal work and low incomes lack financial security and social equity. Many do not have documented tenure of their homes. They lack basic services. There are few opportunities to work their way out of poverty.

Inadequate housing policies and systems

Proper homes and facilities are unaffordable for many. Yet, government policies and housing systems do not work for the people who need them most.

Four objectives

Build Beyond funds locally led initiatives to transform lives through improved housing conditions. A diverse range of projects deliver real improvements in four interconnected ways.

Build

Construct better, more affordable housing. Renovate existing structures. Provide essential facilities.

Sustain

Improve the local environment. Enable communities to cope with the effects of accelerating climate change.

Empower

Narrow the wealth gap by improving people’s financial security and social equity.

Influence

Share knowledge. Inspire others to build even more. Influence positive changes to housing policies and systems.

Funding model

Build Beyond’s collaborative financing model unites philanthropy and corporate capital, driving transformative change through cross-sector partnerships, shared accountability and long-term impact. ​

 

Philanthropists commit to 3–5 years of funding, moving beyond one-off project donations. Investments are directed to preferred programs or countries and channeled into Build Beyond’s project catalogue, contributing up to 20% of each project’s budget through co-funding.​

 

Corporate partners work with our team to pick projects aligned to their CSR and SDG goals, contributing up to 80% of a project’s budget in co-funding, ensuring relevance and long-term value.

 

Every philanthropic dollar invested mobilizes four times the investment from corporate partners, maximizing reach and sustainability.  

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