The Greater Bay Area (GBA), spanning Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong Province, is one of China’s most economically dynamic regions. Its diversity of legal systems, funding channels, and regulatory frameworks makes it a unique environment to study how philanthropy can contribute to social progress.

 

To advance this understanding, IoP has launched a three‑year research collaboration with the China Philanthropy Research Institute (CPRI) at Beijing Normal University, supported by the Beijing Normal University Education Foundation. Backed by RMB 9.1 million in funding from IoP, the project will analyse the philanthropic landscape of the GBA and explore how collaborative action can strengthen social services in areas such as elderly care, child development, health, emergency response, and sustainable development.

 

The initiative will combine joint research, multi‑stakeholder engagement, and policy dialogue to identify effective mechanisms for cooperation. A multidisciplinary team led by Professor Wang Zhenyao, Founding Dean of CPRI, and Professor Xu Xiaoxin, current Dean, will conduct in‑depth analysis of the region, drawing lessons from different philanthropic models and practices. The findings will help lay a foundation for high‑quality, coordinated development of philanthropy and policy innovation, while also contributing insights that can inform collaboration across Asia.

 

“This partnership reflects our commitment to building knowledge and capacity for philanthropy in one of Asia’s most vibrant regions,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of IoP. “As the Greater Bay Area grows in strategic importance, it is essential to understand how collaborative philanthropy can contribute to shared social progress. This research will help unlock new models of cooperation and strengthen the region’s role in shaping the future of giving.”

 

Professor Wang added: “The Greater Bay Area is a laboratory for collaborative action. Through this cooperation, we hope to refine mechanisms, partnerships, and policy innovations that enable philanthropy to play a more effective role in regional development.”

 

This collaboration builds on IoP’s broader strategy to partner with leading institutions on action‑oriented research, advancing thought leadership and strengthening philanthropic ecosystems across Asia.