YMCA Philippines National Eco-Heroes Training Empowers Youth and Staff for Climate Action

YMCA Philippines National Eco-Heroes Training Empowers Youth and Staff for Climate Action

By: IANNE CHRISTINE J. AQUINO
OIC-National Program Secretary
YMCA of the Philippines, Inc.

The YMCA of the Philippines successfully concluded its National Eco-Heroes Training on April 22–24, 2025, at the YMCA of Albay, marking a powerful celebration of Earth Day through immersive learning, intercultural collaboration, and youth-led environmental action.

Gathering 20 passionate participants from various local YMCAs across the Philippines, along with international delegates from Sao Hin, Chiangmai YMCA in Thailand, the three-day training served as a transformative experience for emerging eco-leaders and YMCA staff alike. The program focused on equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and mindset needed to champion sustainable practices within their communities.

A key highlight of the training was the experiential learning activity on coral planting in the YMCA of Albay’s 2,000 sq. m adopted area for marine rehabilitation in the Albay Gulf. This hands-on experience allowed participants to directly engage in restoring marine ecosystems while deepening their understanding of the “ridge to reef” connection—how actions on land affect life underwater. This activity not only emphasized the importance of ocean conservation and biodiversity but also inspired participants to take responsibility in protecting and nurturing the planet’s interconnected natural systems.

The training also featured the cascading of the youth-led project titled “Cultivating Action through Responsible Education (CARE) for Climate, developed by the Youth-Led Solutions on Climate Action Philippine Coalition. This module aims to reinforce YMCA environmental efforts by providing a structured, holistic guide for catalyzing youth- and community-driven climate action. It promotes sustainable practices, environmental advocacy, and behavior change, while encouraging the formation of a national network of YMCA Eco-Heroes.

Designed to strengthen the capacity of YMCA General Secretaries, key staff and volunteers involved in environmental programming, the training delivered a range of dynamic sessions on Climate Change and International Treaties, Carbon Auditing, Environmental Skills and Activism, Leadership Development, Benchmarking of Good Practices, and Action Planning for Local Initiatives.

As a result of the training, YMCA staff were empowered with enhanced knowledge and practical skills to lead climate initiatives in their respective communities. Participants gained useful tools and strategies to advance sustainability, environmental education, and positive behavior change, particularly among young people. The training also strengthened their capacity to serve as mentors for future eco-leaders, expanding the reach of climate advocacy across the YMCA movement. Most importantly, participants developed actionable, locally rooted plans to sustain and scale environmental interventions, ensuring long-term impact well beyond the training itself.

The National Eco-Heroes Training reaffirmed the YMCA’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development. Through experiential learning, capacity-building, and the cascading of youth-led innovations like CARE for Climate, the YMCA is cultivating a new generation of eco-advocates committed to building a greener, more resilient future.