The Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (EcoWEB), Inc. proudly marks its 20th founding anniversary today, May 30, with two decades of transformational development and humanitarian action across the Philippines. Since its formation in 2006, EcoWEB has evolved from a local organization based in Iligan City to a nationally and globally recognized champion in community-led resilience and locally-led solutions.
At the heart of its 20 year-journey is its core philosophy: “people and communities at the center”. Since its early works in conflict-affected areas in Northern Mindanao, one thing remains: EcoWEB focuses its work mostly in the middle of nowhere to empower people and communities who are in dire need of basic intervention.
Built on the spirit of bayanihan as evidenced by its diverse portfolio of existing projects and track record of mobilizing hundreds of millions in community initiated interventions, EcoWEB believes that real change happens when the crisis-affected, poor and marginalized people are trusted to lead their own recovery and development.
“For two decades, EcoWEB has stood at the intersection of solidarity, empowerment, and justice,” shared Executive Director Regina Antequisa, “proving that empowered communities are not just beneficiaries, but partners and builders of their own future.”
Driving progress through its five strategic goals, EcoWEB aims to (1) ensure inclusive governance and the establishment of sustainable, participatory and local institutions, (2) improve social relations through conflict resolution and the prevention of violent extremism, (3) develop sustainable livelihoods via diverse, productive and climate-smart economic activities, (4) ensure a safe environment with emphasis on protection, conservation and risk reduction, and (5) promotion of resilient communities that are fully capable of recovering from crises through locally-led measures.
With trailblazing interventions, EcoWEB currently implements the following projects:
* Community-led Response, Recovery and Resilience (CLR3) – a flagship approach empowering communities to plan and act for their own safety and recovery;
* Strengthening Resilience among Abaca Farming Families in Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur through Sustainable Livelihoods and Transitioning to Green Technology (GreenFiber) Project – a pioneer intervention to develop and strengthen social enterprises, with the construction and operation of renewable energy-powered abaca processing facilities;
* Care for Peace (Pedro Calungsod Peace Center) Project 1048 – a project which provides child development support through education, training and basic needs;
* Enhancing Conservation, Ownership and Social Enterprises in Ancestral Domain (ECOSEAD) Project – an intervention that integates GreenFiber and indigenous peoples’ resilience;
* Reading Initiative for Schools and Empowered Homes (RISE) – a project that develops comprehension, skills and capacities of children;
* Madaris for Peace and Resilience (MPR) – a project focused on advancing peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism through strengthening of Islamic educational institutions;
* Mindanao History in the Making of a Nation – a local history writeshop aimed at consolidating different historical studies on Mindanao;
* Strengthening Community-Led Recovery and Resilience in Cebu and in Iligan – in support of victims affected by the recent typhoons to help them rebuild their homes and their lands; and
* Strengthening of Indigenous Peoples’ Participation in the Conservation of Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) through Dialogue, Rights Recognition, and Sustainable Livelihoods in Mindanao, Philippines
Initially, the organization kicked off its 20th year celebration during the Local History Writeshop on the History of Mindanao last May 20-21, held at the PRISM Hall of MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology. Leading to a culminating event in the last week of October, here are some of the major events slated for the 20th anniversary of EcoWEB:
– June 3: EcoWEB hosts Learning Session of NAPC Northern Mindanao Regional Basic Sectors Coordinating Council (RBSCC)
– July 28-29: IP Learning and Sustainability Event on the Integration of GreenFiber into ECOSEAD Project
– August 3rd week: Grand Bargain Philippines Stakeholders Meeting
– September 3rd week: CLR3 Learning Session and Meeting with Policy-Makers and Practitioners
– October 4th week: EcoWEB 20th Anniversary Culminating Event
– November 2nd week: International Conference with sclr Partners
– December 1st week: Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week
As EcoWEB enters its third decade, a new roadmap will be formulated to focus on local leadership, children and youth development, and a socially-inclusive humanitarian-development-peace nexus to ensure communitiy resilience even beyond individual project cycles.
In the coming years, EcoWEB shall focus on mobilizing local resources from government and other partners to continue emphasizing people- and community-centric approach to development.
