SOUTHEAST ASIA
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines became a GCERF partner country in 2018. GCERF invested USD 12.2 million supporting 49 civil society organisations to foster long-term peace and prevent extremism from taking root.
- Lanao del Sur
- Maguindanao
- North Cotabato
- South Cotabato
- Saranggani
- Sulu
Background & Context
Understanding Violent
Extremism in The Philippines
GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL
Country
Support Mechanism
GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).
In the Philippines, the CSM is chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and brings together relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, and donor representatives to provide strategic direction for the programmes, ensure results, and progressively inherit ownership of funding community-level efforts to prevent violent extremism.
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Identity-based conflict and political rivalry
In parts of the Philippines, violent extremism is often rooted in long-standing identity-based tensions involving ethnic, religious, and clan dynamics. Political rivalries also translate at the local level, which can deepen divisions and create openings for armed groups to mobilise support or exploit grievances.
Youth marginalisation and radical influences
A significant driver of vulnerability to violent extremism is the marginalisation of young people. Limited access to quality education, employment opportunities, and civic participation can create a sense of frustration and lack of belonging.
Governance gaps and fragile institutions
Results at a Glance
Key Results
Total amount invested (USD)
$
0
M
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
Marawi IDPs and community members were engaged in legal awareness, dispute resolution, and dialogues to strengthen their access to justice, support claims processes, and promote peaceful conflict resolution at the community level
0
+
Out of school youth, returnees, indigenous people, moro people, christians engaged through community dialogues and conversations to seek just and acceptable solutions for peaceful resolution
0
+
Young people, small and medium enterprises, madrasah based organisations equipped with vocational skills and entrepreneurship support to strengthen their economic resilience against VE
0
+
Community members, religious leaders, teachers, government authorities trained in conflict resolution peacebuilding and local governance to address grievances before VE groups can exploit them
0
+
Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025
Our Approach
Investment Strategy
in The Philippines
Support community-based rehabilitation for returnees and for the victims of VE groups and their families, including access to mental health support services
Increase access to economic opportunities for people from vulnerable or marginalised communities
Enhance access to credible and transparent transitional justice mechanisms
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS
Active Grants
in The Philippines
01
Mahintana Foundation
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 736,000
Duration
Feb 2026 – Jun 2028
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Mahintana Foundation, Inc (MFI)
Sub-Recipients
Kasilak Development Foundation Inc. (KASILAK)
OND Hesed Foundation Inc (OND)
Maguindanaon Development Foundation Inc (MDFI)
Tribal Leaders Development Foundation Inc. (TLDFI)
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen community governance, cohesion, trust, and protection mechanisms to reduce violent extremism (VE) vulnerability in isolated and underserved communities.2
Improve returnees, victims, and at-risk youth social reintegration and economic resilience, making it difficult for VE groups to exploit them.3
Increase community participation in peacebuilding, education, and violent extremism prevention through the roles of women and girls in local, religious, Indigenous, youth-, and child-led groups.Areas of Implementation
Banga and Tupi, South Cotabato
Kiamba, Sarangani and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani
Tboli, South Cotabato
Polomolok, South Cotabato for Mahintana
Polomolok, South Cotabato
02
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 319,023
Duration
Jan 2024 – Jun 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, Inc. (PCID)
Sub-Recipients
Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG)
Programme Objectives
1
Local Knowledge Partner.2
Conduct mapping exercises and deliver capacity building on data management.3
Implement third-party monitoring activities, including evaluations.4
Generate evidence-based research to inform policy development and improve programmatic practice.Areas of Implementation
Manila
Mindanao
03
Teach Peace Build Peace Movement
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 936,000
Duration
Feb 2026 – Jun 2028
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM)
Sub-Recipients
Alliance of Magnanimous Young Leaders (AMYL)
League of Moro Women Organization, Inc. (LMWOI)
Guinaopan Youth Action Organization (GYAO)
Programme Objectives
1
Adopt coordinated, gender-responsive, trauma-informed reintegration and peace education systems to improve governance support, trust in justice and reconciliation, and access to sustainable reintegration pathways.2
Strengthen emotional resilience, identity, and livelihood and coping capacities of returnees, youth, women, and families through safe learning environments, family support, and psychosocial services, reducing vulnerability to stress, conflict, and harmful influence.3
Empower youth, women, and returnees through formal and non-formal peace education and creative and digital peace pathways that foster purpose, belonging, and recognition, enabling them to promote peace, counter recruitment narratives, and strengthen community resilience.Areas of Implementation
Lanao del Sur (Balindong and Binidayan municipalities)
Maguindanao del Sur (Datu Anggal Midtimbang)
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
Datu Saudi Ampatuan
Mamasapano
Talayan
Shariff Aguak
Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipalities
Maguindanao del Norte (Sultan Kudarat – Camp Darapanan, Barira – Camp Abubakar)
Marawi City
04
Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 646,000
Duration
Apr 2026 – Jun 2028
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS), Inc
Sub-Recipients
Ateneo de Davao University – Madaris Volunteer Program
Magungaya Mindanao Incorporated (MMI)
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen responsive, credible, and inclusive local governance systems by institutionalizing Early Warning Early Response (EWER) mechanisms and gender-inclusive civil and land dispute resolution processes for conflict-affected communities.2
Expand access to meaningful livelihood and digital economy opportunities for vulnerable women, youth, and returnees to support sustained economic stability.3
Strengthen conflict-affected communities’ resilience to extremist narratives by promoting critical engagement with online content and amplifying positive alternatives.Areas of Implementation
North Cotabato: Municipality of Kadayangan
Municipality of Pahamuddin
Sulu (Municipality of Patikul)
Maguindanao del Sur (Municipality of South Upi)
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