Quezon City’s “Joy is a Farm” Wins Global Recognition at 2025 CityNet SDG Awards
Quezon City has earned international acclaim after its flagship urban agriculture initiative, “Joy is a Farm,”received top honors at the 2025 CityNet SDG Awards, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a leader in sustainable urban development and community innovation.
The program secured Second Place Overall among the Top 3 Winners and was awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Innovation of the Year Award during the 4th SDG City Awards held on October 27, 2025.
“Joy is a Farm” was recognized for its innovative approach to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through urban farming, education, and community engagement. The initiative demonstrates how metropolitan areas can leverage underutilized spaces and collaborative partnerships to promote food security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Representing Quezon City at the awards ceremony was Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, President of Quezon City University (QCU), whose leadership has been instrumental in strengthening sustainability programs and community-centered initiatives within the university and beyond.
Implemented through the QCU Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation (QCU-CUAI), the program serves as a model for integrating education, environmental stewardship, and social development. It aligns closely with Quezon City’s vision of fostering resilient communities through innovative and inclusive solutions.
The award-winning initiative embeds the SDGs into both its conceptual framework and monitoring systems, ensuring measurable outcomes in critical areas such as poverty reduction, food security, environmental sustainability, inclusive education, and community resilience.
Through the program, urban farming has become more than an agricultural activity. It has evolved into a platform for citizen empowerment, enabling residents to actively participate in building sustainable neighborhoods while gaining practical knowledge and skills.
City officials and program advocates described the recognition as evidence that meaningful innovation can emerge from strong partnerships between local government, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
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