QCU attends USAID’s Grants Learning Summit 2023
Representatives of Quezon City University (QCU) participated in the first-ever Grants Learning Summit organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Education Development Center (EDC) from October 18-19, 2023 at the EDSA Shang-ri La Hotel, Mandaluyong, with the theme “From Innovation to Integration: Building a Sustainable Future for Out-of-School Youth.”
Rebekah R. Eubanks, Deputy Mission Director of USAID Philippines, delivered the opening remarks, who emphasized USAID’s commitment to continually support efforts the provide second chance opportunities to the out-of-school youth. This was followed by a context-setting presentation by Jill Harvi, the newly appointed Chief of the Party of the Opportunity 2.0 Program of EDC.
Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) delivered the keynote message, highlighting the importance of the efforts done by USAID and EDC in advancing the welfare of the OSY in the country. He also shared initial insights and directions on education, technical vocational education, and education pathways for the youth.
A highlight of the event is the launching of the USAID-EDC Grantees Compendium that contains the profile of all recipients of the USAID-EDC grants and their individual projects, including QCU’s Executive Course for Barangay Leaders on System Delivery Support for the Out of School Youth, or BLeSDS for the OSY, a project implemented from September 2021 to September 2022, funded by USAID-EDC.
Six breakout sessions were also held in the first day of the summit. Mr. Angelito Bautista Jr., Acting Director of the Research, Extension, Planning, and Linkages – Research Management Office (REPL-RMO), served as one of the panelists for Session 4 on Partnerships and Local Collaborations for OSY Development. Together with two other panelists from the Ferndale Colleges and the Mana Millenium Technical School (MMTS – Cagayan de Oro), the discussion focused on how the institutions were able to identify local partners and strengthen local partnerships and collaborations.
“We were able to forge partnerships that are dependent on a shared path of vision and passion. We explained to the barangay leaders, to our invited speakers, and to our partners why we need to help the OSY. And eventually, they were the ones who approached us to signify their intent to help the OSY in their communities,” he shared.
In the evening of Day 1, a solidarity night dinner and special awards program was held. QCU received a Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of its efforts as one of the beneficiaries of the Opportunity 2.0 grants.
A plenary workshop on insights, best practices, and knowledge sharing based on the local capacity-strengthening framework was held during the second day of the event. In her closing remarks, Michelle Chen, Director of the Office of Education, USAID Philippines, thanked the institutions present during the summit for their efforts in uplifting the lives of OSYs in their communities. She also urged the participants to continue doing what they have started and strengthen their efforts for the benefit of OSYs.
The USAID Opportunity 2.0 Grants Learning Summit 2023 showcased the best practices of USAID—EDC O2 grant recipients who’ve implemented relevant programs and projects for OSYs. More than 200 delegates from 15 partner cities and 67 partner organizations gathered to put a spotlight on the value of USAID grants through the Opportunity 2.0 grants program, in boosting the capacity of local actors or local service providers (LSPs) to develop new and diverse OSY-responsive innovations.
Keywords: SDG 1, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 17, No Poverty, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Partnership for the Goals, Out of School Youth, USAID, EDC
