FRAD0102 | FOSTERING YOUTH-LED INNOVATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH CO-CREATION: THE FREE TO BE YOUTH HUB UPSKILLING PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Edgar Bagasol Jr. | Family Health International 360, Makati City, Philippines

The HIV epidemic in the Philippines disproportionately affects young people, with almost half (47%) of new cases occurring among individuals aged 15 to 24 (UNAIDS, 2024). The country’s response has struggled to keep pace, particularly in addressing the evolving behaviors and needs of young key populations. A key challenge lies in the insufficient spaces for young people to engage meaningfully in the HIV response beyond education initiatives. In response, Family Health International (FHI) 360 launched the Free To Be YOUTH HUB in 2023, an upskilling program designed to advance leadership of young sexual health leaders in HIV programming and advocacy. Sixty young leaders engaged in a series of participatory learning, project development, and community mentoring activities for over one year. Guided by a co-creation framework, the young leaders co-designed 12 projects aimed to address critical gaps in the HIV care cascade, with each receiving an implementation budget of $850.00 for four months. Notable initiatives included a support intervention for young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) leveraging sexual confidence as a motivation for treatment re-engagement and a house-to-house networking strategy for HIV testing and PrEP enrollment. Initiatives emphasizing sexual agency and choice foster strong interest and openness among young people. This is evidenced by the youth projects cumulatively producing service delivery outcomes of 832 young people screened for HIV, 47 enrolled in PrEP, and 21 YPLHIV successfully re-engaged in treatment in a span of 6 months. Strategic partnerships with government youth councils and private organizations are crucial for scaling and sustaining projects. Five youth projects secured additional resources and support, including the creation of local ordinances in two cities ensuring the allocation of HIV-specific projects in their annual budgets. Co-creation drives community ownership and accountability. The hub facilitated the formation of an advisory board that will champion the youth agenda and reinforce youth leadership in national and local advocacy spaces. Lessons from Free To Be YOUTH HUB indicate that there must be greater investment in leveraging youth leadership and co-creating initiatives with them to foster innovative responses to HIV.