The Circular Cities Asia Circular Stories Programme is an innovative initiative empowering youth to tell impactful stories about circular economy solutions in their communities.
Through the program, participants are guided in identifying compelling narratives, equipped with storytelling tools, and mentored by experts to refine their work.
This year, Joshua and Kyla emerged as inspiring voices, each bringing a unique perspective to the forefront. With their mentors' guidance, their stories were polished to perfection and eventually published in Esquire PH, reaching a wide audience and showcasing the power of youth-driven storytelling.
Joshua: Empowering Women on Apo Island
Joshua's story highlighted the transformative efforts of Tagpi-Tagpi, a circular initiative in Negros Oriental that empowers marginalised women in coastal communities. Beyond upcycling clothes, Tagpi-Tagpi trains women in sustainable entrepreneurship, improving their access to capital, markets, and support services.
Apo Island, famous for its coral reefs and sea turtles, attracts over 50,000 tourists annually. However, tourism jobs were predominantly held by men, leaving women with limited opportunities. Tagpi-Tagpi addressed this imbalance by training women in circular practices, enabling them to create and market sustainable products.
Rebecca, a Tagpi-Tagpi member, shared her journey: “Before working for Tagpi-Tagpi, my job was to deliver water to households using my old wooden cart. Often, I had to go to faraway places to do other jobs to support my family. But now, I can have more time with my children, and I can work from home too. I am looking forward to starting my own business once tourism is back in Apo Island.”
Kyla: A Circular Economy Pioneer in Iloilo City
Kyla's story brought attention to Brgy. San Rafael in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, a community championing circular economy through its innovative material recovery facility, Tiange sa Basura. This sari-sari store-inspired facility allows residents to exchange recyclable waste, such as plastic and glass bottles, for necessities like salt and coffee. Collected waste is processed or sold, with some being transformed into products like pillow fillings and handcrafted souvenirs.
Brgy. San Rafael has embraced sustainability in other ways too, promoting waste segregation, weekly recyclable collections, and composting using recycled buckets. The barangay’s efforts have gained international recognition, with ASEAN representatives visiting the facility in March 2024.
Through the Circular Stories Programme, Joshua and Kyla not only honed their storytelling skills but also amplified local circular economy solutions that inspire sustainable change.
Their stories, now celebrated on a global platform, remind us of the transformative power of youth, community, and the circular economy.
Read their stories on Esquire PH here:
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