Educo Philippines marked its 20th anniversary with a momentous kick-off ceremony, featuring the unveiling of a groundbreaking child rights and protection toolkit, and the launch of two major projects aimed at strengthening literacy and education in emergencies last February 20.
The event, graced by the organization’s direct beneficiaries–the children, former child representatives, government officials, partner organizations, volunteers, and community representatives, celebrated two decades of Educo’s unwavering commitment to child rights, quality education, and community empowerment in the Philippines.
A Legacy of Commitment and Growth
In his keynote address, Marlon Villanueva, Educo Philippines’ Country Director reflected on the organization’s journey since its inception in 2004, when a scoping mission from Spain first identified the need for child-centered, multisectoral interventions in the Philippines. The organization officially began operations in 2005, prioritizing education and child protection.
“Educo Philippines marks two decades of unwavering commitment to child rights, quality education, and community empowerment,” Villanueva stated. “This is more than just a milestone, a testament to the collective efforts of past and present leaders, partners, and communities who have tirelessly worked toward a future where every child has access to education, protection, and opportunities to thrive.”
He emphasized Educo Philippines’ evolution over the years, from focusing solely on education to expanding into health, disaster resilience, child protection, and child participation. Today, Educo continues to address the urgent educational and protection needs of Filipino children through innovative programs and partnerships.
Launch of Child Rights and Protection Toolkit
As part of its anniversary celebration, Educo Philippines launched a comprehensive Child Rights, Protection, Well-being, and Participation Toolkits, developed over two years through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including children, educators, and partner agencies.
“These toolkits are the product of true partnership, true consultation, and true child participation,” the said Country Director explained. “It is a valuable resource for safeguarding children, and we urge all sectors, the government, media, private organizations, and communities to take part in rolling it out. Otherwise, it will remain just a piece of paper on a shelf.”
The toolkit aims to provide knowledge and practical strategies to protect children’s rights and ensure their well-being. Educo emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in popularizing and implementing the toolkit nationwide.
New Projects for Education and Humanitarian Action
In addition to the toolkit, Educo Philippines launched two new projects: Project UPGRADE and Project RECEIVE. Upgrade focuses on literacy, with the force to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to develop fundamental reading and writing skills through interactive methods. Meanwhile, Project RECEIVE is designed to strengthen education in emergencies, this project addresses the critical learning needs of children in crisis-affected areas.
“These projects reflect our commitment to innovation and responsiveness,” Marlon noted. “We cannot focus solely on the past. We must look ahead and continue building a bigger, stronger, and more influential Educo Philippines.”
Vision for the Future: Expanding Reach and Strengthening Impact
Looking beyond its 20th anniversary, Educo Philippines outlined its strategic vision for the next five years (2025-2030), focusing on expanding its reach and strengthening its impact. A key priority is diversifying donors and strengthening financial sustainability to ensure long-term growth. The organization also aims to enhance partnerships at all levels of government to drive policy reforms in child protection and education.
Building a strong network of local partner organizations is another crucial step to ensure that solutions remain deeply rooted in communities. To address the country’s learning crisis, Educo will expand its education programs through national literacy campaigns, teacher training, and alternative learning programs.
Additionally, the organization is committed to developing innovative tools and research to create evidence-based, scalable, and sustainable interventions. Recognizing the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters, Educo will also strengthen its humanitarian assistance programming to improve disaster preparedness and response.
Lastly, with children becoming increasingly connected in the digital world, Educo will advance its digital child protection efforts to ensure their safety online.
Educo Philippines also announced proudly its expansion into Mindanao, aiming to reach more vulnerable children in conflict-affected areas. The organization will establish new programs promoting peace, inclusivity, and quality education in the region.
“This does not mean the we will leave Bicol, but this only means that we will be expanding. We are expanding our work to Mindanao and elsewhere, perhaps possibly in Visayas area where children and communities continue to pay challenges related to education, child protection, and conflicted environments,” the top official added.
Not just growing, it’s evolving
In closing, the Philippine Country Director paid tribute to the dedication of Educo staff, volunteers, and partners who have contributed to the organization’s success over the past two decades.
“The impact we celebrate today is the result of years of dedication from individuals, communities, and organizations who have shaped Educo into what it is now. I am simply a messenger, privileged to continue their work,” he stated.
Educo Philippines reaffirmed its mission to ensure that every Filipino child has the right to learn, be protected, and thrive. As the organization embarks on the next phase of its journey, it called on all stakeholders to work together in pushing boundaries, expanding reach, and deepening impact.
“Educo Philippines is not just growing, it is evolving,” the Country Director concluded. “Together, we are positioning ourselves as a leader in child protection, education, and humanitarian response. The next 20 years must be even more transformative than before.”
With a renewed vision and strengthened partnerships, Educo Philippines remains committed to championing child rights and education for generations to come.
