Projects for Happiness 2.0: Youth Community Action Grant Initiatives Drives Record Participation and Nationwide Impact
Projects for Happiness 2.0 (PFH2.0), a youth community action grant initiative by My Starfish Foundation Malaysia, continues to strengthen its role in empowering university students to design and implement impactful community-based projects across the country. This year's cycle marked a significant milestone with record-breaking participation, expanded nationwide engagement, and a strengthened ecosystem of youth-led social innovation.
This year, PFH2.0 received an unprecedented 200 applications, more than doubling the number of submissions in prvious cycles, where participation typically remained below 100 projects. Following an internal screening process, 100 projects were shortlisted to advance to the next stage of development. This strong response reflects the growing interest among university students in community engagement, social innovation, and grassroots impact work.
Shortlisted teams were invited to participate in the Happiness Impact Bootcamp, held on 18 April at KHIND Event Hall, Bukit Jelutong, with participation from nearly 90 groups involving approximately 130 students, both online and offline. Jointly organised with the Malaysian Social Entrepreneurs Foundation (MSEF) and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education's SULAM Taskforce (Service Learning Malaysia - University for Society), the bootcamp focused on strengthening participants' capacity in project design, implementation planning, and impact development. The programme featured expereinced trainers and speakers, including Mr. Cheng Ping Keat (Chairman of My Starfish Foundation), En Rezaidi Ishak (Director of Training & Skills Development, Malaysian Relief Agency), Dr. Mohd Hafiz Abu Hassan (Deputy Chair, MOHE SULAM Taskforce, USIM), and Ms. Mala K (Director of Future of Work, MEREKA). Their sharing provided participants with practical insights into project development, sustainability planning, and social impact execution.
Happiness Impact Bootcamp on 18 April at KHIND Event Hall, Bukit Jelutong:
Following further refinement and internal evaluation, 40 teams were selected to proceed to the final judging stage. The judging session was conducted over four days, bringing together student teams from universities across Malaysia, including representation from Sabah and Sarawak, highlighting the programme’s nationwide reach and inclusivity. During the sessions, teams presented a diverse range of initiatives addressing pressing community issues such as education access, mental wellbeing, environmental sustainability, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, and community resilience. Each proposal was assessed based on clarity, feasibility, sustainability, and potential social impact, with judges also providing constructive feedback to support future improvement.
Judging Session 1 at KHIND Event Hall, Bukit Jelutong:
Judging Session 2 at KHIND Event Hall, Bukit Jelutong:
Judging Session 3 at KHIND Event Hall, Bukit Jelutong:
Judging Session 4 at Raffles University, Johor Bahru:
Following careful deliberation, 21 teams were awarded grants, with a total funding allocation of approximately RM110,000 to support project implementation. These selected teams will now proceed to the implementation phase, where they will bring their ideas into action within their respective communities. Organisers expressed confidence that these projects will generate meaningful and lasting impact, while also fostering leadership, empathy, and collaboration among youth participants. All participating teams were commended for their dedication, creativity, and commitment throughout the programme. Even for teams not selected for funding, PFH2.0 emphasised that the experience gained through pitching, feedback, and refinement remains a valuable part of their learning journey.
Projects for Happiness 2.0 continues to serve as a growing platform for youth empowerment and community innovation. With record participation, strong cross-sector collaboration, and increasing nationwide engagement, the programme reflects a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of changemakers in Malaysia. As the 21 funded teams embark on their implementation journey, PFH2.0 looks forward to seeing their initiatives translate into tangible community impact—bringing meaningful change, hope, and happiness to communities across the nation.
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