Youth empowerment

Poverty alleviation tool

Our other evolving CSR focus is on Youth empowerment as a poverty alleviation tool.  One of the pressing issues within the country is that of unemployment.  Many youths are deprived of a good education, and as such, they are faced with difficulties that are further aggravated during these inopportune and less prosperous times.

Philippine Youth Business Foundation

The first example is Philippine Youth Business Foundation (PYBF). Unilever, PYBF and its partner agencies, identify disadvantaged Filipino youth whose entrepreneurial activities can be funded. Unilever employees also serve as mentors in helping them grow their respective businesses. Unilever Philippines also supports Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), an international organisation that motivates students to learn about and practice entrepreneurship. It also supports community enterprises in their areas. 

In 2003 alone more than 75 colleges participated in SIFE activities. A tournament is organised where cases are presented, in regional and national levels. The winner then represents the country to the global tournament. Some of the SIFE projects include tilapia farming, vegetable growing, student stores, among others.