The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the YOUth Innovate! Summit on March 3 at Cagayan de Oro City.
The YOUth Innovate! Summit was initiated to “engage and recognized the young innovators in Mindanao, especially those who were directly affected by the Marawi Siege.”
The summit, initiated in coordination with Plan International, detailed the innovative ideas of 22 youth groups who were part of the undertaking.
Along with 250 youth leaders from from displaced and host communities in the Lanao provinces, USAID mission director Lawrence Hardy led the opening of the summit together with Cagayan Mayor Oscar Moreno, Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia, and Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra.
In a press release dated March 4, Hardy said the “summit showcases how youth-led innovation can help communities build back better from conflict.”
The USAID mission director also met with women entrepreneurs as part of recognizing the Women’s History Month and World Water Day.
USAID-constructed trading center and water storage tanks were also handed over to the municipality of Kapai.
To address the water services expansion in Marawi City, the Marawi City Water District was able to receive USAID-supported water plans and technical studies. The US government has allocated more than $63.6 million (P3.4 billion) for rehabilitation of Marawi.
USAID continues to implement its projects advocating for health, education, economic growth, good governance and environmental resilience in CDO, as one of its eight partner cities through its Cities Development Initiative.
The aim of the program is to help cities outside of Metro Manila “so they can attain their full potential as engines of inclusive, sustainable growth for the country.
