Youth Hub for Peace in the SPMS Box: Empowering Youth through Alternative Pathways to Positive Social Transformation providing the Youth with alternative pathways towards becoming peaceful and productive members and leaders of their respective communities The establishment of the youth hub in the SPMS Box is designed for the graduates of the YLS process facilitated by the YFPM PUKAW Inc., in partn
ership with the different battalions of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army. The activity has four major phases namely: (1) Building Capacities; (2) Establishment of Youth Hubs; (3) Youth Database and Engagement; (4) Micro-enterprise Support and Islamic Micro-finance; and (5) Development and dissemination of alternative narratives for peaceful engagements. These phases are designed to provide the youth in the SPMS Box with the needed platform to develop their skills and capacities to widen their options in life and open for them opportunities that will help them realize their potentials and become responsible and productive leaders and / or members of the society. Description of the Phases of the Activity:
1) Building Capacities
The activity will have a 2-pronged approach in building the capacities of the youth. One will focus on peacebuilding, mediation, and community resilience, among others. This will provide the participating youth with needed knowledge and skills on peaceful engagement. It will also help build their confidence in dealing with partners and in navigating community level issues as well as other sensitivities. The other is the provision of life skills to the participating youth.
2) Establishment of Youth Hubs
The project will support the establishment and operationalization of a youth hub in the SPMS Box in the
province of Maguindanao. Coordination will be done with the identified local government unit for a provision of space which can serve as the youth hub. The youth hub will be provided basic office
equipment (tables, chairs, computers, filing cabinets etc.) and the setting up of connectivity for internet
to make it fully operational.
3) Youth Database and Engagement
A database of the participating youth in the pilot municipalities of Maguindanao will then be established,
it will start with the graduates of the YLS program. The database will include all the basic information of
the participating youth and will also include information relevant to possible engagement with partners
i.e., skills set, interest, availability, preferences in terms of engagement etc.
4) Micro-enterprise Support and Islamic Micro-finance
This phase will provide participating youth with start-up resources through an Islamic micro-finance
system. This is closely linked with the first component particularly for the youth who received life skills
training from partners. A set of policies that will govern this component will be developed.
5) Development and Dissemination of Alternative Narratives for Peaceful Engagement
The project will seek to develop and disseminate stories from the experiences of young women and men engaged in the youth hubs, through both online and offline campaigns. Capacity-building sessions will also ensure integration of sessions focusing on strengthening critical thinking, promoting tolerance for diversity, and supporting community-based alternative narratives on youth empowerment and activism. This program, Youth Hub For Peace, is designated under the leadership of Jhun Bernard R. Payot as the acting Youth Development and Empowerment Coordinator and appointed Regional Officer of the Youth For Peace Movement PUKAW, Inc.
