Junior Achievers (JA) Philippines and BASF proudly congratulate the Isabela National High School (Negros Occidental) as the winner of its nationwide Young Voices for a Sustainable Future Innovation Challenge.The team, Green Future Alliance, won over 10 finalists with its idea and a prototype of a bioplastic mulch film made out of water spinach, papaya and hornwort. Prior to the final round, Green B.I.O.S. competed with over 400 students from schools all over the Philippines.
Young Voices for a Sustainable Future, is a global initiative between JA Worldwide and BASF aimed at encouraging students aged 15-20 to create innovative solutions to pressing climate issues. With participants from seven countries, including the Philippines, the program seeks to empower underrepresented youth through an ideation opportunity to address key environmental concerns like plastics solution and flooding. For the Philippines, for example, pollution was selected as the climate change challenge topic.
A winning team is selected in each of the seven countries. The program includes funding and mentorship to the winning team to help them implement their idea.
Young Voices also serve as a training ground for the youth to learn about the dynamics between business, environment and sustainability, and to appreciate the work needed for a just transition to an equitable society.
Youth-led Innovations for a Sustainable Future
In the Philippines, JA and BASF invited 33 schools to participate in the Young Voices for a Sustainable Future Innovation Challenge. With the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) 27 public schools and six private schools were included in the mix. The program asked over 400 students to answer this question: In your community what is the most pressing climate change related problem do you want to address and what innovative solutions can you present to address this challenge?
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the students worked in teams of 7-10 people and showcased their solution through a video presentation and an executive summary. These were presented to the judges during the finals: Ronald Mercado, Managing Director for BASF Philippines; Derrick Clarin, Supply Chain lead; and Cyra Balbuena, Health and Hygiene Industry lead.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, and it is with great pride that we support initiatives such as the Young Voices for a Sustainable Future. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to educate, empower, and inspire our youth to become proactive agents of change. We believe that by fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging innovative thinking, we can equip our young people with the tools they need to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world,” Asec. Dexter Galban of DepEd says.
For his part, Ronald Mercado, Managing Director for BASF in the Philippines, shared, “For us at BASF (Philippines), empowering young minds to drive sustainable solutions is a cornerstone of our commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. So thank you to all the participants. I was amazed by the finalists and the entries, especially those about plastic waste, which is the biggest problem of our generation and the next. I was impressed with how good the data was and its collection, from my perspective as a Mechanical Engineer, sustainability advocate and subject matter expert on plastics. Seeing the next generation’s knowledge and awareness of plastic waste and solutions, I feel that we can all be assured of what lies ahead.”
As the initiative enters its final stretch, the Virtual Global Exchange in 2025 will bring together winning teams from each country’s National Innovation Challenge. These teams will have the opportunity to present their projects and ideas to an international audience, receiving valuable feedback from their peers. Team Green Future Alliance from Isabela National High School now has the opportunity to bring to the global stage their bioplastic mulch which was designed as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based agricultural plastics.
Through their partnership, JA PH and BASF ensure that volunteers are well-prepared and supported, offering comprehensive training to equip them for effective participation. This preparation includes clear guidelines for working with students across various educational settings.
Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines, emphasized the importance of youth in driving sustainable development. “We believe that the youth are key drivers of sustainable development. Through the Young Voices for a Sustainable Future initiative, we are equipping Filipino students with the skills, knowledge, and mentorship they need to create lasting impact in their communities. This program will empower them to address climate change with innovative solutions that will shape a better tomorrow.”
Both JA PH and BASF are dedicated to serving youth and emphasize the importance of volunteers maintaining professional relationships with students. BASF volunteers will have the unique opportunity to engage with students, share valuable knowledge, and contribute their professional expertise to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.
About JA Philippines
Junior Achievement of the Philippines (JA Philippines) is a proud member of JA Worldwide®, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth. JA Philippines offers K-12 programs focused on fostering financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship skills among young individuals. With nearly a century of experience, JA has implemented successful programs across 123 countries, collaborating with academia, government, and the private sector.
JA Philippines has been recognized for its outstanding contributions and partnerships. The organization has collaborated with various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. This collaboration highlights JA Philippines’ commitment to promoting economic empowerment and providing opportunities to the youth. The global impact of JA Worldwide has garnered significant recognition. The organization has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for two consecutive years due to its remarkable achievements in empowering youth globally and its ability to foster unity amidst diversity.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
About BASF in the Philippines
In the Philippines, BASF has been supporting manufacturers from various industries since 1963. Today, BASF is a leading supplier of chemicals for industries, including Construction and Coatings, Automotive, Nutrition & Health, Home & Personal Care, and Agriculture. BASF also operates an Agricultural Research Station in the country which conducts research, laboratory studies and field testing of novel technologies. Further information is available at www.basf.com/ph.