Social Innovation Challenge 2023 concluded with John Rey Remadavia as the Top Innovator

iVolunteer PH

March 26

Taguig, Philippines, February 23, 2024 — iVolunteer Philippines held its Social Innovation Challenge (SIC) 2023 graduation in Book Nook, SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig where the third SIC Champion was chosen and awarded.

SIC aims to help social innovators and new leaders in the social development sector to make their solutions and organizations become sustainable. Over 50 applicants have decided to take on the challenge and after further screening, the initial number of applicants was cut down to 7 and were announced last August 2023.

The innovators who come from different areas, backgrounds, and have different advocacies all had to undergo a two-phase program consisting of: 1) a Workshop Weekend Series where iVolunteer mentors have imparted frameworks, feedback and recommendations for the innovators to further improve their projects and ideas; and 2) an Incubation for 6 months where the finalists were exposed to a series of coaching and mentoring sessions, as well as feedback sessions among the finalists themselves, and with the mentors. They were also matched with other institutions with similar advocacies for them to get other perspectives as well.

During the graduation, the 6 finalists pitched their social innovation ideas to a panel of judges comprised of representatives from iVolunteer Philippines and its partners. They had to present their start up projects – the journeys they had undergone in the recent months, and the progress they have achieved in terms of volunteer engagement (how many volunteers they have engaged), and social impact via other metrics relevant to their specific advocacies. The panel of judges present during the pitching of projects were: Shereen Sy from SM Book Nook, Viju Jess Girao from Cognizant, Nirva Dela Cruz from AJ Kalinga, Melissa Villa from Project Pearl, and Jaymeeray Estaez from iVolunteer Philippines. The criteria were set as: 80% from the panel of judges which will cover clarity of the stated problem and corresponding solution, sustainability and viability, volunteer engagement, social impact, and presentation; 20% from the group of mentors who worked closely with the finalists in the previous months to evaluate the progress, level of engagement of the finalist, progress on pitching, and volunteer engagement.

Reaching this far into the program is no easy feat, and we would like to again introduce the finalists for SIC 2023, along with progress updates on their respective social innovation projects:

1. Rupert Bontigao (Metro Manila, Luzon)

Advocacy: Stray Cats Welfare

Project: SavingStrays Program, an overall development program intendead to create a safe space for stray cats in Sorrento Oasis, Pasig City. The programs consist of awareness campaign and various sustainability projects such as fostering and adoption programs, fundraising drives through cat merchandise, food reselling, and Network-building and collaborations with animal welfare organizations, brands, and businesses that support and promote animal welfare.

Key Success Measures: 63,000 Impression rate in terms of awareness, 2,100 internal and external supporters, Php 108,000 funding raised

2. John Rey Remadavia (Misamis Oriental, Mindanao)

Advocacy: Food Security

Project: Youth Agvocates Project, a program that aims to inspire and encourage the youth to be involved in solving issues on food security. Activities of the program include Zero Waste Training, lessons on the Basics of Urban Gardening, an leadership trainings

Key Success Measures: 797 youth trained on hydroponics, 10 community microfarms established, 235 kilograms of harvested vegetables

3. Jelaine Abante (Camarines Norte, Luzon)

Advocacy: People Empowerment

Project: ChangeMakers, a project that intends to build a more progressive and emotionally-resilient community by addressing the poor mindset that perpetuates corruption and many other societal issues. Its mission is to empower Filipino children to become active citizens in their local communities to eradicate the poor mindset.

Key Success Measures: 2 barangays, 129 volunteers, and 141 children involved, 96% improved family values, 98% increased school performance, and 90% increased community engagement

4. Jill Palarca (Davao, Mindanao)

Advocacy: Media Education

Project: Skwela Salida, a film literacy program designed for teachers, students, out-of-school-youth and indigent communities in Mindanao. It will utilize film as a tool for education to develop critical and creative thinking, to inspire more indie filmmakers to tell socially relevant stories, and to strengthen the Filipino identity and mindset. The program also entails the use of an app which is now in its prototype stage.

Key Success Measures: 863 teachers engaged, not sure if there are still other metrics

5. Hilton Soberano (Davao, Mindanao)

Advocacy: Sports for Development

Project: Laro't Klima, a project that recognizes the of use sports, games, and physical activity to safeguard children from harm and abuse, promote women empowerment, push for climate education. The program particularly focuses on enhancing awareness of climate and its impact on the environment and people's lives.

Key Success Measures: Increased intensity of attitude towards believing that one can contribute to lessen the threat brought about by climate change in the post valuation survey (vs pre evaluation); 75% feel commitment to act, 95% intention to cooperate in initiatives

6. Adelmar Javier Jr. (Iloilo, Visayas)

Advocacy: Mental Health

Project: Mindshift Initiative, a project aims to promote mental wellness practices to the youth in Iloilo through mental awareness campaigns and psychological first aid trainings

Key Success Measures: 150 Ilonggo youth and 10 barangay health workers reached, engaged with 68 youth volunteers, increased knowledge and positive views on mental health by 15%. Other successes for the program are establishing a partnership with DOH and PSWDO for data sharing, and earning a seat at the Iloilo PYDC (Provincial Youth Development Council)

After having seen all pitch presentations from the finalists, the winner for SIC 2023 was awarded to John Rey Remadavia for the Youth Agvocates Project. The winner was announced at the iVolunteer Partners Appreciation Night held in Makati City in the evening of the same day. We would like to acknowledge all our partners and finalists who have joined us in SIC 2023. We hope this would encourage even more social innovators to relentlessly take the challenge of bringing their ideas to life and contribute to the further betterment of society.

by Gica Dejaresco, iVolunteer Philippines