Baguio youth innovators get P2M grant for youth-led solutions at Liwliwa Ya Sursuro final pitching
Two out of seven youth teams who presented their community-driven solutions to pressing issues in urban development were granted P1 million each as seed fund for the implementation of their proposed innovative projects.
The grant comes from the Safe and Sound Cities (S²Cities) Programme, an initiative by the Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation, hosted by Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, and supported by Fondation Botnar with Cordilleran Youth Center (CYC) as lead local implementer and ICLEI Southeast Asia serving as the government engagement partner in the Philippines.
In Baguio City, the program is called “Liwliwa Ya Sursuro (LYS)” – a youth innovation challenge that aims to empower young people to design solutions that contribute to safer, more inclusive, and youth-responsive communities – and is implemented by the Cordilleran Youth Center (CYC) in partnership with ICLEI Southeast Asia, Progressive Igorots for Social Action (PIGSA) and the Baguio City Local Government through the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office (CPDSO), and the SIGLAT Youth Innovation Hub.
During the final pitching and recognition day held November 22 at the Baguio City Hall Multipurpose Hall, seven finalists delivered pitches addressing safety issues related to limited spaces for meaningful civic participation, unsafe and underutilized public spaces, and urban blight and low livability index, reflecting weeks of mentoring, caravans, and collaborative workshops.
After evaluation from the jury panel, two initiatives were selected for support and implementation: the Verdant Spires Community Greenhouse by Team Verdan Spires consisting of Russel Allen Treptor, Brianna Gionet Encarnacion, and Anny Carl Tegwa, accompanied by Ms. Raven Mensenas and Mr. Niño Mark Bantiloc; and, the Play It Forward: Redesigning a Park for All by Team SalinTanglaw consisting of Kzy Ayan, Jushual Johann Cariño, Hannah Shane Kiyawan, Russel Omolida, and Wade Frenzel Torcuan, joined by mentors Ms. Belle Mila and Arch. Krshzeus De Jesus.Their project pitches tackle urban challenges and imagining a safer, more inclusive, and vibrant city.The remaining finalist teams— Team Bida Bata, Team Ligaya Co., Team ADSG-BYA, Team UB SBAA Student Body, and Team Kafagway—were recognized for their promising proposals and contributions to youth-led community building.
“The passion and clarity these young leaders carry reflect the realities they face and the futures they want to build,” said Janice Militar, Programme Manager of the Safe and Sound Cities Baguio.
She furthered, “their ideas show that when youth are empowered to take up space, change becomes not only possible but inevitable.”
The two selected teams will proceed to a post-selection preparation phase in the coming days, marking the start of their journey toward project implementation in early 2026.
Earlier this year, Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the second phase of the S²Cities program in Baguio City, following the success of Phase 1 that resulted in the establishment of the SIGLAT (Synergize, Innovation and Gravitate Leadership towards Adaptive Technologies) Youth Innovation Hub, a co-working space that the Baguio City Government dedicated for its youth; and youth-designed and led projects such as the Happy Paws Pet Park and Baguio Wellness Hub.
The Phase II of the S²Cities Programme is set to run until 2028 focusing on systems understanding; capacity strengthening; innovation; implementation; scaling; youth-led initiatives seed funding; and continued support for Phase I projects. – JM Samidan
