Out of more than 160 entries submitted to the award, Breaking the Cycle has advanced to the Final Round of the Human Act Prize 2025, becoming one of 27 outstanding initiatives recognized for their positive and lasting impact on communities.
The Human Act Prize is a national annual award organized by Nhân Dân Newspaper to honor individuals and organizations that have made creative, sustainable, and meaningful contributions to community development.
The 2025 theme – Persevering in Service – pays tribute to those who quietly and persistently dedicate themselves to creating positive and lasting change in society.
Launched in 2021, Breaking the Cycle was developed by SCDI with the belief that education is the most sustainable and effective path out of poverty. The program aims to establish a comprehensive support ecosystem that enables children from disadvantaged backgrounds to remain in school, foster self-reliance, and gradually break the cycle of poverty, vulnerability, and deprivation.
Over the past four years, the program has been implemented in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City, supporting hundreds of children to continue their education while accessing healthcare, nutrition, and psychological counseling. It has also helped many young people over 18 to learn vocational skills and secure stable employment.
Advancing to the Final Round of the Human Act Prize 2025 marks not only a meaningful milestone for Breaking the Cycle but also a recognition of its effectiveness and sustainability. All shortlisted initiatives are evaluated based on five key criteria: Commitment, Sustainability, Creativity, Impact, and Scalability & Inspiration.
Through these criteria, Breaking the Cycle demonstrates the potential of a model that can be replicated and adapted to create long-term social impact — offering not only educational opportunities for children but also reinforcing community trust, connection, and collective responsibility.
SCDI sincerely thanks all donors, partners, collaborators, volunteers, organizations, and individuals who have trusted, supported, and contributed to this journey. Your collective efforts have enabled Breaking the Cycle to continuously expand its impact and bring brighter futures to children and families in disadvantaged circumstances.
Learn more about the Breaking the Cycle program featured in the Human Act Prize Community Initiative Library here.
