What is extreme poverty?
The United Nations defines extreme poverty as a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. According to World Bank, there are about 702 million people around the world who are affected by extreme poverty.

In the Philippines, the PSA estimated that 8.1% of the population is considered subsistence poor in 2015. This means that 1.3 million Filipino families are not able to meet their food and other basic needs.

 

 

How did ZEP start?
The Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines 2030 (ZEP) movement started as a response to the Call for Solidarity in 2015, the Year of the Poor.  A national poverty summit entitled Building Pathways in Eradicating Poverty and Inequality was held for participants to reflect on the issues of poverty and share their own experience in dealing with its challenges.  At the end of the conference, various sectors came to realize their individual roles and capacities in creating a positive change that will benefit themselves and others.

The members of civil society founded ZEP with much optimism, courage, and hope that poverty in the Philippines can be dealt with once and for all. This renewed effort draws upon decades-long partnerships and commitment impact in addressing the multiple dimensions of poverty. By the year 2030, the ZEP coalition envisions that no Filipino will be left behind in the development and growth of the nation.

 

How does ZEP work?

 

Where does ZEP operate?
Who can join ZEP?
We are looking for civil society organizations (CSOs) who wish to contribute in significantly alleviating millions of Filipino families from poverty and inequality. These organizations may include, but not limited to the following:

• sectoral groups
• non-government organizations (NGOs)
• community-based organizations
• foundations
• CSO networks
• business and corporate organizations
• universities/academic institutions
• faith-based organizations
• think tanks and research institutions

ZEP also collaborates with national government agencies and local government units to complement long-term poverty alleviation efforts towards attaining inclusive national development.

How can my organization help?
ZEP highly encourages CSOs to bring in their experience and expertise into the movement through the following ways:

    1. Join a thematic cluster working to address the multiple dimensions of extreme poverty: Agriculture and Fisheries, Education, Environment, Health, Housing and Shelter, Livelihood, and Partnerships for Indigenous People
    2. Offer or enroll appropriate programs as contribution in achieving the goals of the ZEP movement
    3. Support the activities of organizations with specific programs for extremely poor communities
    4. Assist in data gathering and share information about poverty reduction initiatives
    5. Volunteer as a local convenor/partner to facilitate convergence at the provincial, municipal or city level
What are the roles of the ZEP local convenor?
The ZEP local convenor pertains to the lead organization/CSO on the ground in-charge of facilitating the convergence of the different clusters/member organizations.  In some areas, two or more CSOs may partner as local convenors to carry out all the tasks involved.