Asia Consumer Insurance Awards 2025: Best Social Impact Initiative

At a time when social impact initiatives face intense scrutiny for their ability to deliver real impact rather than merely generate publicity, Generali’s The Human Safety Net (THSN) stands out for its methodical approach to uplifting vulnerable communities across Asia.

The success of the programme, along with its focus on early childhood development and family resilience, marked a milestone in how the sector tackles pressing social challenges and helped it come out on top in the Best Social Impact Initiative category at the Asia Consumer Insurance Awards 2025.

Since its launch in Europe in 2017 and subsequent expansion to Asia in 2018, THSN has touched the lives of 580,000 children and caregivers across the region, with THSN’s programmes carefully tailored to meet local needs across different markets.

“We support a range of programmes, focusing not just on programmes that provide play or educational opportunities for young children, but also on empowering parents with the skills and knowledge they need to nurture their children and support their healthy development,” says Giuseppe Randazzo, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Asia at Generali. “We envisioned THSN as a global network of people helping people.”

The initiative’s emphasis on “the first thousand days of life” is grounded in economic research.

“Research shows that the best long-term investment for building more inclusive societies is precisely that which starts in the early years of life,” Randazzo notes. “According to Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman, every dollar spent on early childhood programmes can generate a societal return of up to 13% per year.”

The need to support vulnerable families in Asia remains enormous. It has pushed governments throughout THSN’s operating markets to make family resilience a cornerstone of their social policies.

In Indonesia alone, for example, THSN has reached more than 15,000 families since 2018, working hand-in-hand with local NGOs to steadily expand the scale of their activities.

And the localised strategy comes to life through focused partnerships with regional organisations.

In Hong Kong, for instance, collaboration with the NGO OneSky led to the establishment of the First Community Living Room in Sham Shui Po, one of the city’s most disadvantaged districts. Since 2020, the facility has offered both a safe learning environment for young children and vital training for caregivers living in challenging conditions. “It’s an ongoing commitment to support families that live in very small and cramped living spaces,” Randazzo notes.

“Every family and community have their own circumstances, ranging from young adults who have come to cities to work to rural communities, which may not have the resources for parenting education.”

Giuseppe Randazzo

Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Asia at Generali

What sets THSN apart from traditional corporate social responsibility programmes is its robust approach to measuring impact. Unlike conventional approaches where impact assessments are conducted only after project completion, THSN employs a dynamic, real-time evaluation system.

“A structured quarterly Measurement, Evaluation and Learning process has been implemented,” Randazzo explains. “This allows us to monitor the progress of activities almost in real time and, if necessary, intervene during the course of the project to correct the course and maximise impact.” The real-time monitoring system enables THSN to optimise its resources across its various programmes, delivering measurable social benefits where they are needed most.

At the same time, the success of the initiative has been bolstered by strong employee engagement. Generali has built a dedicated network of 500 employees and agents worldwide, who serve as THSN Ambassadors. Globally, nearly 9,000 employees have contributed their expertise to strengthen NGO partners’ capabilities, creating a powerful, interconnected support system that transcends borders.

There may be no better way to show THSN’s commitment to community support than through its annual Global Challenge, a coordinated fundraising initiative that unites 25 countries under a common cause. Through a diverse range of activities, from sporting contests to community gatherings, the challenge mobilises thousands of participants worldwide to support local NGO partners in launching new initiatives for families with young children aged 0 to 6.

In 2025, the THSN Global Challenge raised €775,000 (US$909,000), topping the total raised in 2024 of €558,000.

“Teams from Asia made significant contributions, with Malaysia and Indonesia in the top five contributors among all the markets,” Randazzo says.

Another example is the Generali Malaysia Run. The event drew over 10,000 participants and raised RM100,000 (US$23,724) from the runners and RM332,500 (US$78,959) from sponsorship fees to support two key NGO partners: Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia and Yayasan Generasi Gemilang (Generasi Gemilang Foundation). The funds directly support childhood education programmes and provide learning tools for underprivileged children and their families.

Rather than limiting itself to basic education, THSN empowers communities through targeted programmes in financial literacy and family resilience. “Supporting parents by enhancing their financial decision-making on how to make better use of limited resources is a powerful tool in helping them to provide the best care for their children,” Randazzo states.

He emphasises that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

“Every family and community have their own circumstances, ranging from young adults who have come to cities to work to rural communities, which may not have the resources for parenting education. That’s why collaboration and partnerships with programmes and NGOs on the ground are paramount.”

Social initiatives are often evaluated for how well they align with global ESG priorities. THSN specifically targets five United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

The alignment, says Randazzo, shows how THSN integrates social impact with broader sustainability objectives while supporting Generali’s commitment to making a positive impact on society.

Asia currently represents half of THSN’s global beneficiaries, with plans to expand this to 65% by 2027. In early 2025 THSN extended its reach to Thailand, furthering its commitment to vulnerable communities across Southeast Asia.

“THSN is currently focused on building upon the strong foundation it has built in our markets in the region and reaching even more people in need,” Randazzo says.

The programme’s long-term success relies on what Randazzo calls an “open net” approach: “We are working together with foundations, universities, public institutions and local communities to amplify the impact of THSN initiatives.”

By collaborating closely with each party, pooling financial resources with other co-funders, and establishing effective relationships with the public sector, THSN facilitates the implementation of programmes on a regional and national scale.

Adding to THSN’s global presence is its Home, located in Venice’s historic St. Mark’s Square. The facility houses the World of Potential exhibition, an interactive experience designed to help visitors explore their character strengths and virtually connect with people from the THSN network who share similar qualities.

“The THSN will continue to play a key role as a growing movement in Asia to support vulnerable communities,” says Randazzo. “We envision the THSN as a force for change, embodying Generali’s values of being open and collaborating to drive positive change that empowers people to transform the lives of their families and communities.”