The US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), announced on May 30 new grants worth over P20 million for Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) working on innovative programs to improve the lives of Filipino out-of-school youth.
New Grant Categories Introduced
This announcement introduced two types of grants: the “O2 GAIN Grants,” aimed to address local development priorities for out-of-school youth, and the “O2-Aspire Grants,” devised to support partnerships between Philippine and US higher education institutions for the advancement of out-of-school youth.
Providing Support for Out-of-School Youth
The grants, administered through the USAid Opportunity 2.0 program, are expected to fund academic research, develop technological solutions, and enhance the quality of services for out-of-school youth. So far, the Opportunity 2.0 initiative has aided around 35,000 Filipino youth in gaining employment, starting their own businesses, or returning to school.
USAid Mission Director Emphasizes Collaboration
In his announcement during the Opportunity 2.0 program’s Higher Education Learning Summit in Quezon City, USAid Mission Director Ryan Washburn emphasized the importance of collaboration. “Working together, we have been able to make progress and open doors for thousands of out-of-school youth to better education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities,” Washburn said.
Higher Education Learning Summit
The summit brought together more than 200 USAid partners from across the Philippines, highlighting the crucial role of higher education partners in building a better future for out-of-school youth and providing stakeholders with a space for further collaboration.
Local Leaders Support the Initiative
Commission on Higher Education Chairman J. Prospero De Vera expressed his confidence in the summit, saying, “I am confident that this learning summit will facilitate meaningful exchanges, foster collaboration, inspire innovative approaches, and find common ground to address the complex needs of out-of-school youth.” De Vera also expressed his gratitude to the USAid Opportunity 2.0 program and all the organizers for their vision and dedication in making this summit a reality.
Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, echoing De Vera’s sentiments, said, “Education is the cornerstone of all progress, and higher education institutions play a pivotal role in accomplishing this as they serve as homes for training the minds of the youth and preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving world.” Sotto also mentioned how they view higher education institutions as beacons of hope. “We are confident that with your help and support, we can help out-of-school Filipinos return to studying and get the quality education they deserve,” he said.
Call for Grant Applicants
USAid invites interested grant applicants to contact GrantsPH@edc.org or follow the USAid Opportunity 2.0 program’s social media accounts for updates and additional information. You can access their Facebook page and LinkedIn profile through the respective links.
Impact of USAid’s Efforts
The USAid’s Opportunity 2.0 program has already shown promising results, aiding around 35,000 Filipino youth by helping them gain employment, start their own businesses, or return to school. The announcement of these new grants further enhances the potential impact of the program, enabling the creation of more diverse opportunities and solutions for the out-of-school youth in the Philippines.
Future Prospects
As the Philippines faces the challenges of the modern world, the critical role of education in societal progress is underscored. This initiative by USAid provides a significant contribution to supporting and improving the educational landscape of the country, particularly for those most in need. It emphasizes the importance of innovative programs, collaboration, and institutional partnerships in building a sustainable future for the Filipino youth.
With the ongoing dedication of the organizers and the expected results from the implementation of the new grants, USAid’s Opportunity 2.0 program offers a beacon of hope to thousands of Filipino out-of-school youth, affirming that with support and collaboration, they too can overcome obstacles and succeed in their chosen paths.
