MANILA, Philippines — Innovative ideas that could help alleviate the impact of disasters in the Philippines could receive as much as P1-million funding from a consortium of various non-government organizations (NGOs).
The project, called TUKLAS Innovation Labs, will offer support for the development and implementation of ideas that could help alleviate the economic, environmental and human costs of natural and human-created disasters in the country.
Angelo Hernan Melencio, consortium manager of the program, said ideas may involve systems, service, product or technology that could help prepare communities for disasters, including ideas to address the impacts of disease outbreaks and armed conflict.
“TUKLAS is about finding Filipinos, especially the marginalized, who may have found solutions based on experience with disasters, but have no one listening to them,” he said.
“We have designed this call for innovations in a way where even children and youth can join. You can be an innovator, regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, academic background, or social status,” added Melencio.
Forty startups will be selected and could receive seed funding of as much as P1 million each from the program.
Melencio said they have set up innovation labs in Baguio, Quezon City, Tacloban, and Cotabato City to support applicants firm up their ideas and write proposals.
The labs will also function as co-working spaces and link applicants with Filipino experts.
The deadline for submission of ideas is set on November 30.
Among the NGOs that implement the project include Plan International, CARE International, Action Against Hunger and the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.
It is also supported by the United Kingdom Aid, Start Network, and the CDAC (Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities) Network.