Our Story of Hope
Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc. (NYLI) was born from a shared vision of collective action and a deep love for the nation. What started as a commitment to empower young people has evolved into a beacon of hope, igniting a movement toward a just and sustainable future.
In the Beginning
Driven by the desire to create meaningful change, Ted Villanueva and his friends envisioned a platform for young leaders in Negros, Philippines, where their advocacies could extend beyond the walls of schools and universities. In 2016, they formed the first core group to organize a groundbreaking youth leadership camp, which would later become the Negrosanon Young Leaders Summit.
Although originally planned for 2016, the summit was delayed due to resource limitations and finally took place in January 2017. The inaugural summit gathered 44 young leaders from across Negros Occidental, marking the start of a powerful movement rooted in leadership and collective action.
A Growing Movement
Recognizing the rapid growth and impact of the movement, in 2018, the core committee voted to formalize and incorporate the organization. After months of learning the necessary processes and compliances, on February 15, 2019, NYLI was officially recognized as a civil society organization under Philippine laws.
During this time, the Borromeos have offered and provided their residential address in Mabini Street and a small room in their ancestral house to serve as NYLI’s headquarters.
From its humble beginnings, NYLI’s work expanded to meet the growing needs of the youth. Early support from the United States Embassy through the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) helped fund NYLI’s initial projects. In time, the Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation and individual donors also entrusted NYLI to pursue its advocacy for children and youth, ensuring the continued growth of its initiatives.
NYLI also benefited from technical support through its local network, particularly from Bakyas Community Development Center Inc., which provided crucial guidance in operationalizing the organization’s processes, including the establishment of financial and internal controls.
Recognition and Impact
In recognition of its early successes, NYLI was honored as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Social Welfare and Development Agencies in 2023 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Recently, NYLI Inc. was honored as one of the country’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) during the 21st TAYO National Awarding Ceremony at the Manila Metropolitan Theater. This recognition highlights the impact of the organization’s flagship program, the Negrosanon Young Leaders Summit (NYLS).Dedicated to empowering Negrosanon youth, the NYLS focuses on building their capacity and enhancing leadership and governance skills to foster meaningful.
