Collaboration in Action to Build Financially Empowered Youth in the Philippines
- jaap123456
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
JA Asia Pacific celebrates the success of JA Philippines and its partners in launching a groundbreaking financial education initiative that is capturing national attention and inspiring collaboration across the region.
On October 1, 2025, the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL), in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Capital Markets Development Foundation, Inc. (CMDFI), the FINEX Research and Development Foundation, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and Junior Achievement of the Philippines, Inc. (JAPI), formally launched a Digital Financial Education Library. “Project RISE” is a YouTube-based video platform offering accessible, high-quality financial literacy content for Filipinos of all ages.
A National Effort to Strengthen Financial Literacy
SharePHIL President Dino Bate, noted that the Philippines’ “mass affluent” population, specifically those with at least US$100,000 (₱5.8 million) in assets, is projected to double to 48 million by 2030. This rapid growth signals a major opportunity for wealth creation, but only if Filipinos are equipped with the right knowledge and mindset for responsible investing.
The newly launched Digital Library, accessible via the SharePHIL YouTube channel, addresses this need by providing simple, engaging, and credible content. Topics include “Getting Started with Investing,” “Understanding Equities,” and “Building a Future-Ready Portfolio.” Project RISE is designed for both first-time investors and young professionals seeking to take control of their financial futures.
“Our goal is simple: to give every Filipino access to high-quality, easy-to-understand materials that guide them on their investing journey,” said Bate. “The library will be a living resource, continuously updated so it remains relevant and accessible to anyone, anytime.”
Project RISE aims to “equip retail investors and shareholders with the right tools to make informed decisions today and prepare for the opportunities ahead.”
Kirk Kenny, Chief Operating Officer of JA Asia Pacific said,
“This digital library initiative by SharePhil, the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission, JA Philippines and other partners, is an important step in democratizing access to investment knowledge specifically, and financial literacy more broadly. This milestone aligns perfectly with the work JA Philippines, and the JA network have been championing for decades - equipping youth and young adults with the tools and knowledge to build healthy financial behaviors that last a lifetime.”
Collaboration: The Catalyst for National Progress
This initiative exemplifies what can be achieved when regulators, corporations, and nonprofits work together toward a shared vision. Each organization contributed its unique expertise:
The SEC provided institutional leadership and advocacy for investor protection.
SharePHIL and CMDFI drove the initiative’s content and strategy.
FINEX Foundation and PSE added depth through industry insights and educational resources.
MAP and PICPA lent professional expertise and networks.
JA Philippines brought its decades-long experience in youth and financial education, ensuring the content remains engaging, accessible, and relevant for students and young professionals.
The synergy of these organizations demonstrates how multi-sector collaboration can create sustainable, high-impact solutions that go beyond the reach of any single institution. By pooling the resources and networks of business, government, and civil society, the initiative transforms isolated efforts into a unified national movement for financial literacy.
JA Philippines: A Proven Force for Youth Empowerment
For more than 56 years, Junior Achievement of the Philippines has been transforming young lives through programs that advance work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. As part of JA Worldwide, a four-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee operating in over 100 countries, JA Philippines equips young people with the skills and mindset to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
Through its partnerships with schools, government agencies, and corporations, JA Philippines reaches tens of thousands of students annually. Programs like this new financial education initiative deepen its mission: to empower the next generation to navigate financial systems wisely, make informed decisions, and contribute to national economic growth. Even more so with underserved youth who may not have access to traditional financial learning resources.
Krishna C. Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines stated that
“This partnership, highlighted by ‘Investment Basics Offered on YouTube Video Library’, underscores an important shift: financial literacy is no longer a privilege as it must be made freely accessible. As educators and facilitators, our role is to bridge the gap. We don’t just teach returns or risk; we help learners build confidence in their financial decisions."
A Vision for the Nation and Beyond
This collaboration is more than a local initiative; it reflects a national vision for inclusive financial empowerment. The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, faces unique challenges in reaching its dispersed population with consistent and credible education. By embracing digital tools and multi-agency partnerships, this initiative ensures that quality financial education can reach every corner of the country, bridging geographic and socioeconomic divides.
Project RISE stands as a model of effective cross-sector cooperation — one where corporate partners, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and nonprofit organizations align their goals to create meaningful and scalable impact. This initiative demonstrates how collaboration can move financial literacy from concept to nationwide practice, empowering communities and building resilience across generations. At JA Asia Pacific, this embodies our strategic priority to Partner for Impact — uniting diverse expertise to achieve what none of us could accomplish alone.
We invite corporations, foundations, and public agencies across the Asia Pacific region to explore similar collaborations. Together, we can build the next generation of financially literate, economically active, and socially responsible citizens.
📩 To explore partnership opportunities with JA Asia Pacific in the region, contact us at info@jaasiapacific.org