Life Project 4 Youth
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
LP4Y is an international movement of local organisations specializing in the development of innovative solutions for the professional and social integration of excluded Youth living in extreme poverty. For 15 years, LP4Y’s structure has facilitated the sharing of practices among diverse stakeholders, ensuring consistent and meaningful actions. By fostering collaboration and advocating for inclusion, LP4Y creates pathways towards a more inclusive world.
LP4Y’s mission includes accompany the most excluded Youth in Asia and the Middle-East towards their professional and social integration, campaign with Young adults coming from extreme poverty to offer concrete, grassroots solutions addressing exclusion issues and engage with partners to increase the number of initiatives that support Youth inclusion and multiply the impact.
Country Information
The Philippines has one of the highest slum populations globally, with over 40% living in such conditions. As of 2020, 24% of young adults (15-24 years old) were out of school or work, worsened by COVID-19. Young women face greater challenges, with 9% unemployed and 28% out of education or training. Despite nearly 2,000 higher education institutions, enrollment is low, and the OECD ranks the Philippines 78th in reading comprehension for 15-year-olds. UNESCO reports that 28% of youth do not complete lower secondary education, even with the K-12 system.
The country is also highly vulnerable to climate change, ranking third on the World Risk Report in 2017. It faces severe impacts such as GDP losses, altered rainfall, droughts, biodiversity threats, rising sea levels, and increased typhoon exposure. Pollution exacerbates health issues, especially in slums like Tondo and Payatas, with rising temperatures and sea levels posing additional risks to the nation’s 7,100 islands.
The Need
Limited access to higher education in the Philippines restricts skill development and contributes to a shortage of qualified professionals. This issue is exacerbated by the 25.2% of out-of-school youth recorded post-COVID-19, hindering the country from fully harnessing its young population’s potential.
Educational disparities persist between urban and rural areas, worsened by poverty and gender issues. Many young Filipinos face barriers to education, impacting their development and creating a disconnect between job opportunities and a motivated workforce.
The Project We Fund
The project spans various regions in the Philippines, aiming to support excluded youth from urban and rural areas. It focuses on social and professional integration through Training & Development Centers (TDC) and the Green Village (GV).
Key Components:
– Training Programs: Six-month programs with two main aspects:
– Work: Youth manage Microcompanies based on community needs, enhancing their professional skills.
– Guide: Weekly coaching helps youth with personal development and career planning.
– Post-Training Support: After completing the program, Youth receive three months of job support and ongoing coaching.
Environmental Dimension: The Green Village in Calauan integrates climate change awareness into training, promoting resilience and sustainability of the Youth and their community. It is a model of a sustainable training center, developed by skilled professionals and the Youth in an eco-responsible process.
Little Angel Academy (LAA): Provides childcare for young mothers in Tondo, allowing them to focus on their training while ensuring their children receive a safe and supportive environment.
Jail Training: LP4Y offers training in two jails, following the same model as TDC, to support inmates to catch up on their academic delay and work on their personal development.
Overall, LP4Y’s initiatives aim to reduce socio-economic disparities, foster engaged and responsible citizenship, and contribute to national and international discussions on Youth inclusion and development.
The Result
To effectively measure its impact, Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y) employs Key Impact Indicators (KIIs) across several dimensions. The “Youth Follow-Up” indicator is designed to track critical metrics such as the integration rate of youth into society, their attendance in programs, and overall program completion. Another component is the “Partnerships” indicator, which evaluates the level of professional exposure youths receive and the number of job placements secured with partner companies.
For those involved in Micro-Companies, the impact is assessed through the number of beneficiaries, the frequency and conduct of training sessions, and the quality of these trainings as determined by participant surveys. Integral to LP4Y’s approach is the weekly coaching that monitors and enhances youths’ behavior, social skills, and job readiness. Following the completion of its programs, LP4Y continues to track progress using the Central Youth Database, which keeps tabs on job placements and working conditions. Graduates of the program are encouraged to join the Star Club, an alumni network that fosters ongoing support and engagement through monthly dinners aimed at sharing updates and maintaining contact.
2025 Midterm Report
Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y) made significant strides in addressing youth exclusion in the Philippines. Amid a concerning statistic where youth exclusion continues to rise, LP4Y launched impactful initiatives across its 6 centers, impacting 167 direct beneficiaries and 2,382 indirect beneficiaries. With over 369 coordinated actions, LP4Y, through partnerships, facilitated digital literacy and customer service training.
Despite facing a challenging socio-economic environment, LP4Y emphasized professional exposure, offering skills that aided youths in securing employment. This comprehensive program, rewarding outcomes such as increased self-esteem for all beneficiaries and reinforced collaboration with partners, underscores LP4Y’s commitment to social change by equipping youths with essential skills and bolstering their communities.
Testimonies
“LP4Y came into my life at a difficult time. I was grieving the loss of my son and struggling with my health. After several missed chances, I finally joined Green Village, and it became my safe haven. Through its supportive environment, I found purpose, resilience, and the strength to pursue my dreams. Despite setbacks, I stayed committed. I overcame conflicts with teammates, gained leadership skills, and reconnected with my lifelong dream of working in the medical field. After countless rejections, I secured a two-week internship at Audico Hearing Center. Thanks to my dedication, they offered me a six-month position as Clinic Secretary. LP4Y and Green Village gave me more than skills : they gave me confidence, community, and a future. This is not just my story; it’s proof that with support, every Youth can rise.”
-Avril Dianne Delos Santos, 24, Green Village Calauan-
“As the eldest of four, I grew up on the streets, surviving through crime to support my siblings while my father was in prison. I was arrested twice, and after years in jail, I felt completely hopeless. Everything changed when a fellow inmate introduced me to LP4Y. I had no education, didn’t speak English, and doubted myself—but I gave it a try. It was hard, but for the first time, I saw a future. LP4Y taught me how to speak professionally, use a computer, solve problems, and most importantly, dream again. Now, I’ve completed the program and am part of the LP4Y STARS alumni network. I’m determined to become a doctor to help others like me. I’ve found purpose, dignity, and a way to support my siblings honestly. My message to anyone who feels lost: don’t give up. With hope and belief, transformation is possible. I’m living proof.” –Sherdon Zabate Delos Santos, 23, Training & Development Center Lapu Lapu City Jail-
“First of all, I would like to tell you my life story before I join LP4Y. Before I was just a nobody housewife. My mother-in-law didn’t like me, because she said that I am nothing, I don’t have a dream, and I am too young to build my own family. But because I grew up alone in life and supported myself, I didn’t give in to what she said. I proved even more that I could. Because I knew in myself that I had a dream, that’s why I worked hard to achieve it. I’ve reached the point where I’m already working even though I just gave birth. I also experienced working without sleep. In the morning I take care of my daughter and in the evening I work. Until I met LP4Y. At first I thought it was nothing, just English training. I tried it and that’s when I realized that I had a lot to learn. Then when I got home, my mom wouldn’t let me go to the LP4Y anymore. Then I asked her, “Don’t you like seeing your daughter happy with what she’s doing? Don’t you want your child’s life to change? What do you want to happen in my life?” At that time, she didn’t answer me. So I said I’ll continue to change my life, this is my chance. If I miss this, there might not be another chance and that’s why she allowed me. I went on discovery week on December 4, 2024. In that week, I discovered how the LP4Y works and what kind of organization it is.
Even I am just in my discovery week I already experienced attending a graduation in Concentrix, it’s so overwhelming because that is my first time to enter a company. On December 10, 2024 I entered my Autonomy step. At first I was afraid of making mistakes because I grew up always being scolded when I made mistakes, but Coach Lou told me that it’s okay to make mistakes, that making mistakes is part of our lives, the important thing is that we know what lesson we learned from our mistakes so we can improve next time. Because of that, I proved even more that entering in LP4Y is not a waste because they value the worth of their Youths. And now I am in my Management step and still getting better and excited because soon I will be on my job search. LP4Y is a big opportunity for me because I gain knowledge, skills, and personal development. I want to say thank you to LP4Y because of this also to the Concentrix Team who gave us an opportunity to have equipment that we can use during our training, specially on the job search. This is a big help to all the Youths that we can be able to use proper equipment. I hope that this is not the last help you can give to the Youths. Thank you!”
-Marie Joyce Villegas, Training & Development Center of Taguig-
