QCU Secures Second USAID-EDC Grant to Empower OSY
Quezon City University (QCU) has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting out-of-school youth (OSY) after it secured a grant for its Expanded Executive Course for Barangay Leaders on Systems Delivery Support for Out-of-School Youth” (BLeSDS for the OSY).
Organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Educational Development Center, the grant awarding ceremony was held on February 15, 2024, at the BE Resort in Mactan, Cebu.
District 2 Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla, who serves as head of the City Council Committee on Education and Member of the QCU Board of Regents, received the grant on behalf of QCU, one of the two recipients of the Opportunity 2.0 Government-Academe-Industry Collaborative Grants for Out-of-School Youth Development (O2-GAIN Grants)..
This marks the second USAID grant secured by QCU, following the successful implementation of the first BLeSDS for the OSY in 2021, further underscoring the university’s dedication to empowering marginalized OSY and fostering community development.
The event started with a warm welcome message by EDC Chief of Party Jill Jarvi. Mr. Carlo Fernando, O2’s Higher Education and Lifelong Learning Specialist, provided an insightful overview of the grant opportunities for this year. Aside from the O2-GAIN Grants, two institutions also received a grant under the Opportunity 2.0 Higher Education Grants to Advance and Support Philippine-International Academic Relations for Out-of-School Youth Development (O2-ASPIRE Grants).
In her overview of the QCU project, Coun. Medalla emphasized the urgency of addressing the challenges of out-of-school youth, stating, “In the Philippines, the problem of out-of-school youth (OSY) has been a significant concern that requires immediate attention. As responsible leaders, we must tackle these challenges and offer meaningful opportunities for OSY to flourish and contribute to our society’s development.”
The BLeSDS for the OSY initiative is anchored on the Bridging Leadership Framework, combined with the Positive Youth Development Approach and Local Capacity Strengthening policy of USAID. It comprises two primary components: the expansion of the executive training course across Quezon City’s districts and a Training of Trainers program in Angeles City and Pasig City.
Other grant recipients included the School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership and Service Inc. (SKILLS), De La Salle University College of Saint Benilde (DLSU-CSB), and the Ferndale College Zamboanga Peninsula (Ferndale).
USAID Opportunity 2.0 (O2) is a P1.9-billion ($37.5 million) collaborative program designed to support existing programs and mechanisms for Filipino out-of-school youth (OSY) who seek to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes by 2025. Together with the Department of Education, the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority, local government units, higher education institutions, and private sector partners, it aims to support 180,000 OSY and more than 5,000 teachers and trainers in 15 cities across the Philippines.
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