TAYO announces national finalists for 21st search of accomplished youth orgs

The TAYO Awards Foundation on July 13 announced the 20 youth groups that have qualified to the National Finals of the 21st Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the country.

The application period for TAYO 21 ran from February 19 to March 17, 2024 with the Foundation receiving hundreds of project entries.

Following the call for applications was the Experts Screening where the TAYO Secretariat invited various field experts to judge and provide feedback to youth organizations who made the cut. Five organizations per geographical location—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR—were selected, for a total of 20 organizations, as follows:

LUZON	3PK – BIDA Youth Project Gumaca, Quezon
	ADHIKA PH Inc. Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
	Project Barako Ibaan, Batangas
	Project Blue PH Sinait, Ilocos Sur
	Sidhá – San Jose City San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
VISAYAS	Kagay-anon Youth Network Alliance Paranas, Samar
	Central Philippine University Republic Iloilo City, Iloilo
	Iloilo National High School Boy Scouts of the Philippines Outfit 154 Iloilo City, Iloilo
	Negrosanon Young Leaders Incorporated Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
	Team Dugong Bughaw Iloilo City, Iloilo
MINDANAO	Kagay-anon Youth Network Alliance Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
	MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology Youth Chain of Peace Iligan City, Lanao de
	Oro Youth Development Office Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
	Salumayag Youth Collective for Forests Quezon, Bukidnon
	Second Chance Philippines Davao City, Davao del Sur
NCR	Commonwealth Young Leaders Coalition Quezon City
	Model Sangguniang Kabataan Network Quezon City
	Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders, Inc. Quezon City
	Saliwindakan Dance Company Malabon City
	Therawee Health Innovation Inc. Taguig City

The Experts Panel, composed of government and non-government representatives nationwide, screened the participants based on the following criteria: Impact of project entry on stakeholders; Harnessing the Spirit of Volunteerism and Citizenship; Creativity and Innovation; and Sustainability and Effective use of Resources.

“The Filipino youth exhibit remarkable innovation through the hundreds of organizations we evaluated.

The 20 National Finalists demonstrate a distinctive approach to youth development and a strong commitment to their community initiatives. Their objectives are sharp and tailored, directly addressing local needs, and heightening their organizations’ relevance. This clarity facilitates effective and efficient implementation, ensuring the sustainability, replicability, and lasting impact of their youth programs,” said Emil Tapnio, Senior Youth Leadership Development Specialist of The Asia Foundation.

Representatives from the 20 youth groups will be invited to share their projects before a panel of judges during TAYO Week on August 16, a week-long program that will feature media rounds, institutional visits, capacity building activities, and other sponsored activities.

The TAYO National Awarding is set to take place on August 19 in Metro Manila. The event will be attended by representatives from the Top 20 orgs, sponsors, partners, TAYO alumni, and guests from government and non-government organizations.

TAYO Awards Foundation is the Philippines’ premiere award giving body.

For 21 years, it has recognized and awarded youth groups that have been instrumental in nation-building, with the goal to inspire other young people to also take part in creating meaningful impact.

The Search for TAYO Awards is co-presented by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and San Miguel Corporation.