ZeP2030’s collective goal is to improve the incomes and access to essential social services of 100,000 poor Filipino families by 2030.
Established in 2015 as Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines 2030, the initiative was founded by 17 organizations that participated in the National Poverty Summit, “Building Pathways in Eradicating Poverty and Inequality.” It initially focused on supporting families living in extreme poverty through collective action and collaborative solutions toward sustainable pathways out of poverty.
Over the years, the movement has continuously evolved to refine its strategies, ensuring greater synergy and more effective program delivery to target families. In 2019, ZEP2030 shifted from national thematic clusters to an area-based approach to increase local leadership and deeper stakeholder engagement.
Recognizing the broad and evolving nature of poverty, the coalition expanded its focus to include all families living in poverty while continuing to prioritize the most vulnerable. A strategy review conducted in 2024 assessed progress, addressed challenges, and redefined the coalition’s priorities for the next six years.
This shift led to the coalition’s evolution into Zero Poverty PH 2030, reflecting its commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable approach to poverty reduction in the Philippines.
ZeP2030 believes that poverty reduction is most effective when locally-led, multi-sectoral, and data-driven. Its theory of change outlines this pathway:
- Inputs: Collaborative program management by CSOs, LGUs, and local stakeholders; resources mobilized from foundations, NGOs, private sector, and government partners; baseline data collection to identify priority households.
- Activities: Co-design of local development agendas; delivery of interventions across four thematic areas – Livelihood, Education, Environment, and Health; capacity building for communities and partners; and advocacy to influence poverty reduction priorities and resource flows.
- Outputs: Improved access to livelihood opportunities, education, health services, and environmental resources; strengthened local organizations and governance mechanisms; mobilized resources at local and national levels.
- Outcomes: Increased household incomes; improved learning and health outcomes; greater climate and disaster resilience; enhanced community participation and empowerment.
- Impact: Breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and contributing to ZeP2030’s goal of improving the incomes and access to essential services of 100,000 Filipino families by 2030, while influencing national poverty reduction policy to be more integrated and inclusive.
This approach ensures that household-level interventions contribute to systems change by demonstrating scalable poverty reduction models, informing public policy, and influencing government and donor resource allocation.
1. Coalition Building
Objective: To establish and sustain effective mechanisms for resource sharing and collaborative implementation among ZeP2030 stakeholders at the national and local levels.
A large-scale collaboration such as ZeP2030 requires cohesive action from all stakeholders. This entails institutional mechanisms with well-defined roles – from Lead Convenors to Local Convenors, Local Convergences, Cluster Leads, and Thematic Clusters. Membership engagement efforts will focus on increasing support for Local Convergences and the communities and families they serve. To strengthen backbone coordination, the Association of Foundations (AF) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) will act as Co-Secretariat and jointly manage the coalition’s operations beginning 2025.
2. Local Convergence Development
Objective: To build strategic partnerships between civil society organizations (CSOs) and local government units (LGUs) to implement a more impactful, area-wide approach to poverty reduction.
ZeP2030 will bolster Local Convergences as mechanisms for collaboration among CSOs, LGUs, and other stakeholders. Selection of new convergence sites and Local Convenors will be guided by criteria to ensure alignment with ZeP2030’s goals. Local Convergences, through Local Convenors, will submit sub-grant proposals and ensure planned activities deliver programs and projects in their communities. Capacity-building activities will facilitate learning exchange and strengthen collaboration with LGUs for co-developing poverty alleviation programs.
3. External Stakeholder Partnerships
Objective: To forge partnerships with national government agencies and other external resource agencies to increase the impact and scale of ZeP2030’s initiatives.
The coalition will proactively identify and engage prospective partners beyond current membership, developing targeted engagement strategies to align efforts with a shared poverty alleviation agenda. Specific objectives and terms of engagement will be formalized through agreements, securing critical resources to advance and scale coalition initiatives.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Objective: To develop a MEL system to track progress, measure impact, and continuously improve the effectiveness of ZeP2030 as a collaborative platform.
ZeP2030 will establish a MEL framework, review baseline indicators, and define key performance indicators and milestones. A consolidated database maintained by the Secretariat will support data-driven decision-making. Lessons learned will guide improvements at national and local levels. Additionally, a strategic communications plan will ensure transparency, build trust, and strengthen collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
ZeP2030 adopts the Collective Impact framework, bringing together the strengths, expertise, and resources of diverse organizations to address the complex and interconnected challenges of poverty. Through a shared agenda, ZeP2030 works closely with local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to align interventions with national and local development priorities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness, sustainability, and scale of its initiatives.
Collective Impact is a cross-sector collaboration framework designed to address complex social issues within a specific community or geographic area. First articulated by John Kania and Mark Kramer in the Stanford Social Innovation Review in 2011, the framework emphasizes a common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and a backbone organization to coordinate collective efforts toward lasting social change.
ZeP2030 Co-Secretariat
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Association of Foundations
14/F Aurora Tower, General Malvar Avenue, Araneta City, Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109
ZeP2030@afonline.org
Philippine Business for Social Progress, Inc.
7/F Citynet Central, Sultan Street, Brgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City 1550
ZeP2030@pbsp.org.ph