Project Berde Year 2: Beneficial Eco-Friendly Resources for Development and Empowerment
In a world where 26 percent of Filipinos lack reliable access to nutritious food and 33 percent of children under five are stunted, JCI Cebu took action through Project BERDE, a youth-led initiative focused on advancing food sustainability and security. The program established innovative hydroponics systems that enabled steady, localized food production while empowering communities to improve their nutrition and livelihoods.
The project delivered measurable impact with 85.2 percent BMI improvement among malnourished children, reaching 17,308 individuals, and increasing yields by 8,233 percent. Beneficiaries, including farmers and youth, gained skills to sustain operations, generating up to USD 1,260 (PHP 70,000) monthly per site.
Benchmarked in five cities nationwide, Project BERDE proved that strategic, data-driven innovation can strengthen food security, enhance health outcomes, and empower communities. It aligns with the JCI RISE pillars and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger and sustainable communities.