Grassroots-based NGOs support the struggles of disadvantaged sectors towards genuinely ecologically sustainable economic development and progress. They try to fill in gaps in the government’s services and give some relief to the chronic poverty and hunger especially in underserved remote rural areas. They are challenged under an increasingly constricting civic space despite their contributions to development. Development workers experience various human rights violations such as red tagging of their organizations and their staff which in extreme cases lead to killings, incarcerations on trumped criminal charges including acts of terrorism. Despite all these, their achievements have been recognized at the local and international levels in terms of their impact, effectiveness and sustainability of the programs, projects and services they deliver.

Join us as we showcase the development effectiveness of these NGOs/CSOs in their contributions to Philippine development and gather support for enabling and strengthening civic spaces for promoting people-centered, people-led development work. The opening forum will be on May 21, 2024 from 9:00am-12:00 noon at the Bulwagang Tandang Sora, UP College of Social Work and Community Development (UP CSWCD). This will be followed by an exhibit ribbon-cutting at the walkway of the UP CSWCD walkway. A sign-on CSO Manifesto for enabling and strengthening civic spaces will also be available for gathering of signatures of support.

This program is brought to you by UP CSWCD Research and Extension for Development Office (REDO), in partnership with the Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) and Assert Socio Economic Initiatives Network (ASCENT).

Register Now: https://forms.gle/jRG7c2cshNfzycxG6