We are Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc.
A non-government and human rights based organization working towards social development.
About us
WHO WE ARE
Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc. is a youth-led, non-government organization working towards development through community empowerment and social innovation. It is a dynamic group of committed, passionate and empowered individuals from various fields of expertise. Youth First Initiative believes that young people will be the key players towards a progressive and sustainable future.
OUR VISION
We envision innovative and sustainable communities driven by a progressive and empowered youth.
OUR MISSION
To promote development by educating and encouraging active involvement of the community, especially the youth, towards social equity. Social equity is a concept that aims to ensure each person receives fair and just treatment, regardless of social or economic status
WHAT WE DO
Youth First Initiative is a volunteer-based organization that advocates community development and social entrepreneurship through:
Skills enhancement trainings
Poverty alleviation programs and projects
Mainstreaming youth-centered and -focused program agenda
Social and economic enterprise development
Connecting local communities to global opportunities in commerce and education
OBJECTIVES
Partner with existing private and public institutions in creating sustainable livelihood programs to mainstream the agenda of the youth. Bring in field experts to nurture the community through training and product development in areas vital to their livelihood. Connect local communities to political, social, and economic opportunities that are conventionally beyond their reach. Help develop indigenous goods into products of global quality and provide platforms for distributions.
OUR CORE VALUES
THINK BIG. ACT BIGGER.
SOCIAL EQUITY
Ensuring each person receives fair and just treatment, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, belief, age, identity and status whether social or economic.
INNOVATION
Application of better solutions that meet new requirements and existing or unarticulated needs through intrinsically social and collaborative processes.
PASSION
With determination to inspire others and to have the courage to challenge and seek social justice for all.
ACCOUNTABILITY
A cornerstone of trust which is demonstrated through high performance, ethical standards and transparency.
OUR TEAM
Rayjand
Gellamucho
Chairman and President
Katherine April Gonzales
Vice President
Romellaine Xyene Arsenio
Board Secretary
Anna Melissa Ng
Director for Partnerships and Linkages
Sarah Jane
dela Peña
Director for Admin and Finance
Anvie Jezette
Magbanua
Sustainability Development Director
Michael
Labos
Head of Media and Creatives
Ruwi Joy
Eribal
Admin and Finance Officer
Keithlyn Sarah
Bernardino
Volunteer Management Director
Aivan Mark
Arendaje
Asst. Admin and Finance Officer
Christine Frances
Nicole Jaco
Partnerships and Linkages Officer
Martin
Ortiz
Sales and Marketing Officer
Daryl
Lasafin
Innovative Officer
Therese Faith
Brasileño
Content Writer
Roderick Lorenz
Olivares
Graphic Designer
Rey
Guidoriagao Jr.
Programmer
Ruel
Benliro Jr
UX Designer
Gency
Guirhem
Youth with Initiative
ADVISERS
Mr. Francis Gentoral
Jason Gonzales
Joel de Castro
OUR AWARDS
OUR INITIATIVES
- Weekend Tienda
- Produkto Lokal Weekend Fairs (Food Trip and Artisan)
- Trainings and Workshops
- LoGIC CSO Forum
- Youth with Initiative
- Tabas
- Bakal Lokal (e-commerce portal)
- Physical Store (Zero-waste concept store)
- Youth Entrepreneurship Program
- Iraya: Native Coffee Plantation Project
- Joy of Making TIthes
- Poverty Stoplight
WEEKEND TIENDA
Weekend Tienda sa Iloilo is a concerted effort of various government, academe and non-government agencies initiated by Regional Development Council 6 and NEDA Region 6. It hopes to bolster the local economy by empowering the local industry players starting from homegrown, startups to MSMEs. It hopes to bring the best of Ilonggo Cuisine, delicacies and products available to locals and visitors, both foreign and from other parts of the country. Youth First Initiative Philippines (YFI) Inc. played a vital role during the operation of the said project as co-implementing organization together with Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc.. YFI is also the led organization for marketing of the said project.
PRODUKTO LOKAL
MADE WITH PASSION
There is so much potential in the grassroots. Delve deeper into the community and don’t be afraid to be entrepreneurs because entrepreneurship empowers people. Empowered people change the world.
A unique program focusing on bringing locally produced products, ranging from food to non-food, to the global market Develops and promotes local products Empowers local communities and engaging entrepreneurs to become sustainable social businesses. Provides technical support on product development. Technical support may be packaging, labeling, branding and product concept framework. Online (e-commerce website) and offline platforms (distribution centers and fairs) to market products.
Produkto Lokal is a market linkage model that serves as a consortium of both homegrown and local producers. It is also an avenue that engages young and emerging entrepreneurs in producing local products of global quality. We cultivate creativity and unique ideas.We do our best to keep a friendly, caring and inclusive community. We have loyal tenants who continue to partner with us. We have also partnered with the city government and forged partnerships with other local organizations to shine light and support our cause.
OUR INITIATIVES
We started in January 2016 with only 32 entrepreneurs. We support local communities in developing local products.
Local musicians, performers and artists are given a venue to share their creativity, advocacy and talents.
Our team is led by volunteers. Startups test and showcase their products’ marketability during our weekend fairs.
TRAININGS DONE
- Plastic Solution
- Solid Waste Management for Businesses
- Basic Accounting
- Social Media Marketing
- Road to OCEAN18
SOME PRODUCTS LAUNCHED IN PL FAIRS
Locally sourced and locally produced
- Skincare ProductsSkincare Products
- Coffee and Coffee-based Products
- Ice Cream Float
- Handmade Wooden Toys and Furniture
- Local Fabric Products
- Healthy Snack Packs
- Fresh Produce from Local Farmers
- Passion Fruit Juice
- Laksa
- Dream catchers
- Healthy Poke Bowls
- Baby Sling Carriers
- Handmade Artisan Jewelry
- » Organic Locally-made Soaps
TRAINING + WORKSHOPS
We integrate training and workshops in our initiatives to help equip ourselves and our partners. We believe that equipping stakeholders will pave the way towards sustainable initiatives. Here are some of them:
- Plastic Solution. Promote zero waste practices to MSMEs focusing on working towards a sustainable lifestyle, plastic waste management and a zero waste economy.
- Zero Waste Entrepreneur Convergence. In partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region VI. Topics include: solid waste solution system featuring the success story of The Famous Belgian Waffle, working towards a zero plastic economy, plastic waste to plastic chair, art in plastics: alternative technology for residual plastics, and business opportunities through upcycling.
- Artisan fair Workshops featuring topics on: Engaging your Customer, Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment by Senator Bam Aquino, Brandy Strategy by Brad Geiser of GeiserMaclang, a marketing consulting agency in the Philippines.
- Basic Accounting and bookkeeping for Non-accountants with Ms. Bernadette Ternura of Ternura Business Consultancy.
- Digital Marketing Starter for Small Businesses with Ms. Jenille Cristy Lozada of Dame Digital.
- Road to OCEAN18. Part of a series of masterclasses nationwide. Free business scaling workshop for Indiepreneurs, or early-stage ventures with disruptive ideas that make a difference in their community, around the region held in 2018 at Marriott Courtyard Hotel. OCEAN stands for Open Collaboration with East Asian Networks.
- Boosting Your Business. Recurring pre-fair training. Practical knowledge for tenants to maximize exposure and create a lasting impression during the Weekend fair (basics on management, marketing, food safety, and customer service).
- Food Safety Orientation to encourage best practices for home based entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI.
- Negosyo 101. A seminar on the Do’s and Dont’s in running a business with entrepreneurial testimonials and success stories. The seminar is done with the Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO).
- WomenWill. A workshop on helping women grow and succeed. The event was done in collaboration with Google Business Group, Tenten Life, Iloilo City Government and Project Iloilo.
- Facebook Marketing for Small Businesses.
TABAS
Summary of the Project:
Tabas is a Filipino term used in sewing for cutting a pattern of a design (verb) or a cut design pattern (noun). The use of the term in the title is to showcase the nature of the livelihood project – sewing. We also envision this project helping the women in the community design a future that will lead them out of poverty to an improved and beautiful quality of life in the long-run.
In line with Youth First Initiative Philippines, Inc.’s (YFI) strategy to make increasingly active contributions to the sustainable development goals, we have identified to help Barangay Botong, Oton, a 164-household barangay. The community has an existing social housing program and two organized associations. This project will work hand-in-hand with Barangay Botong Oton Seaside Homeowners Association.
The Project will be divided into three phases (see Theory of Change and Project Outlook document). The first phase will be the preparatory stage which will serve as the foundation of the project. This will include soft skills trainings and sessions that are programmed to address mindset change and help the project become more sustainable. The second and third phase will mainly focus on implementation, monitoring and development. At the end of the first year, we will conduct an assessment and dialogue with the community for possible scale ups and turnover to the association.
Development Agenda:
Barangay Botong Oton has a 30% unemployment rate. This is evident in the inability of some homeowners to pay their monthly dues in the social housing program. Living through a cycle of poverty, its residents has become resigned to certain behaviors that display signs of poverty mentality. The project desires to alleviate poverty in the area and empower the women of the barangay targeting Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 5 respectively. The project will provide an opportunity to empower the women of the community through viable skills and other trainings so they can eventually support their family out of the cycle of poverty.
Offering of Trainings
Foundational:
- Values workshop
- Time management for efficiency.
- Budgeting
- Personality development and breaking the poverty mindset workshops
Foundational:
- Basic Tailoring and Sewing (Possible collaboration with TESDA Iloilo)
BAKAL LOKAL
Development Agenda:
Online shopping has become popular and more convenient especially to the shifting opportunity of employment and the new normal due to the pandemic. Support for local products and entrepreneurs are decreasing because of cheaper imported products.
The following market pains and problems are based on identified target market demographics and the issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic:
- MSMEs operation halted because of the new normal caused by the pandemic.
- The availability of and access to raw materials from local sources for local businesses became more challenging.
- Lack of productivity and convenience for consumers. Buying and lining up is an opportunity cost for consumers and businesses alike.
- No time to shop for quality, local, and reasonably priced products.
- Life-work balance, avoid spending more time on mundane tasks like shopping.
- Hassle of lining up and waiting in cashiers.
- Small, local shops are in different locations.
- Lack of stores supporting causes: eco-friendly, sustainability, fair trade
Summary of the Project:
The project aims to bridge consumers to micro and small entrepreneurs (MSMEs) and match local producers to MSMEs in Western Visayas via an online platform showcasing local, organic, fairly traded and sustainably sourced products.
Bakal Lokal will be known as a reliable platform in bridging the local micro and small entrepreneurs to a wider consumer base, businesses are matched to local producers and local services and causes have a special platform to inform and engage the public.
The project aims to provide the following solutions:
- One-stop online shop
- The convenience of delivery or accessible pick-up points for consumers and local MSMEs.
- Subscription-based buying for repeat purchases.
- Lower prices for bulk buys
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Sustainably sourced, fairly traded, certified local products
YOUTH FIRST
A local conversation
This is a social conversation wherein the youth, government officials, lawmakers, advocacy champions and target institutions meet and talk together in finding solutions in overcoming social inequalities.
The area of conversation is being prioritized into few categories to give focus and special attention to make it more achievable in a span of 6 years.
The idea is simple, here are our issues, and what can we do to overcome these? As a lawmaker, government official, among others, what can you contribute to help shape the future of the succeeding generation?
CONTACT US
For more information or for queries, feel free to reach out through:
- +63917-555-3329
- +63915-244-9231
- (033) 328-1898
- hello@youthfirstph.org
- youthfirstph@gmail.com