The Bangsamoro Youth Commission of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BYC-BARMM) has encouraged regional youth organizations to submit project proposals for possible funding from the commission and its partner development agencies.

In an interview on Friday, BYC chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong said the project proposals are for positive community transformation.

“The overall project dubbed ‘Ideation Impact Challenge: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future 2021′ is a call for the youth who advocate for community peacebuilding and development in the BARMM,” he said.

Spearheaded by BYC in partnership with the United Nations Development Program and co-funded by the European Union, the undertaking invites youth organizations, Sangguniang Kabataan (youth councils), and local youth development councils to pitch in proposals to help their communities.

“This project also aims at strengthening meaningful participation and engagement of the youth in the BARMM development as well,” Macasalong said.

The BYC is the primary youth development arm of the BARMM through its creation by the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 10.

He pointed out that the BYC works on the premise of creative and innovative ideas of the youth that, if supported and recognized, would bring about profound changes for economic recovery amid the adverse effects of the pandemic.

Macasalong emphasized that project proposals may be in line with the priority areas identified in the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda, such as health, education, peacebuilding, governance, and active citizenship.

Successful teams will be chosen to undergo several workshops and mentoring, after which 20 teams will be awarded seed funds to implement their projects.

“Depending on the scope and purpose of their projects, 10 teams will be awarded PHP50,000, while the other 10 teams will be given PHP20,000 for their project implementation,” he said.

Macasalong said the BYC would receive applications through the online link https://bit.ly/IdeationImpactChallenge until noon of September 12. (PNA)