mikocanares Asia, Business Planning, Capacity Building, core expertise, Core services, cultural programming, Governance, Inclusion, project development, project management, Training

Step Up Assists Arts and Culture Workshops for Bohol

Step Up reignited its mission to help build sustainable communities through art and culture by reviving the Balik BOKAG initiative. This transformative project taps into the rich heritage and creative industries of communities along the Abatan River. Running from 2024 to 2027, this three-year program is a collaboration among the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC), PROCESS Bohol, Inc., Kasing Sining Inc., local government units (LGUs) of Antequera, Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, and Maribojoc, and other stakeholders, with support from the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council and the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Center for Culture and Arts Development (CCAD).

Revitalizing the Abatan River Theater Space

At the heart of Balik BOKAG (short for Bol-anon Kabilin, Atong Gibahandi) is the vision of transforming the Abatan River Theater Space into a premier cultural venue. The initiative goes beyond physical infrastructure improvements, aiming to strategically position the theatre as a creative hub for the province and the region. Through dedicated training in artistic development, organizational management, and creative business, the program empowers local artists, cultural workers, and community leaders to plan and implement initiatives that create sustainable livelihoods for local communities while enriching Boholano heritage.

The revitalized theatre will not only host regular performances but also serve as a space for local talent to showcase their craft. To ensure its long-term success, the project emphasizes professional management and robust marketing strategies, envisioning the Abatan River as a vibrant cultural and economic centrepiece.

Workshops Lay Groundwork for Success

The initiative’s latest activities included a series of workshops. On August 22, 2024, stakeholders gathered at the PROCESS Conference Center in Tagbilaran City to reflect on the successes and lessons from the earlier phases of BOKAG (BOKAG 1, 2, and 3), which ran from 2015 to 2019. This evaluation included insights from community leaders, artists, and audiences, helping shape a roadmap for the next three years.

Building on this momentum, a two-day strategic planning session followed on November 11–12, 2024, at the scenic Buzzz of Bohol Bee Farm in Cortes. Participants—ranging from local councils to NGO representatives—collaboratively defined the project’s vision, mission, and core values. Discussions centered on the theater’s long-term sustainability, strategies to empower local communities, and the Abatan River’s role in showcasing Bohol’s cultural richness.

A Catalyst for Heritage and Progress

The Balik BOKAG project underscores the critical role of arts and culture in community development. By nurturing local talent and preserving the Boholano heritage, the initiative builds cultural pride and fosters economic resilience.

“Through initiatives like Balik BOKAG, we reaffirm the power of arts and culture to transform communities, creating opportunities for sustainable growth while celebrating our shared heritage,” said a representative from the ARDMC.

With momentum building, Balik BOKAG is poised to leave a lasting legacy—bringing the arts closer to the heart of Boholano life and ensuring that the creative spirit of the Abatan River continues to flow for generations to come.

mikocanares Asia, Consulting Services, core expertise, Core services, Facilitation, Local Government Units, Research Projects

Step Up Conducts  Series of Data Gathering Activities for Urban Climate Finance Study in Tagbilaran City

Step Up conducts a series of data-gathering activities for Tagbilaran City Tagbilaran city-level scoping study on enabling conditions for urban climate finance and provides technical support and recommendations to mainstream climate change considerations and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) perspectives into the cities’ investment plans. This is part of a research study commissioned by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.

The study aims to assess the enabling conditions for climate financing at the city level, leveraging the methodology developed by the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA). This methodology focuses on the “National Assessment of Enabling Framework Conditions for Subnational Climate Finance”. It will be utilized to gauge how well Tagbilaran is positioned to access climate finance for its urban development projects.

Key objectives include:

  1. Developing a scoping study on the conditions that facilitate climate finance in Tagbilaran.
  2. Assessing the city’s development investment programs with a focus on climate and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) considerations.

As part of the study, a range of data collection activities have been scheduled, including focus group discussions, interviews with key stakeholders, and a review of existing documents related to investment planning to provide recommendations for integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, along with GEDSI perspectives, into the city’s investment plans.

The fieldwork for this project officially began with a courtesy call to the Office of the City Mayor, where City Administrator Mr. Alvin Acuzar welcomed the team on 30 September 2024. Several focus group discussions followed, bringing together department heads, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, civil society organizations, and the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Manga to gather insights on the city’s current plans and opportunities for advancement.

The Urban Act Project is a collaboration between ICSC, the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Clean Air Asia (CAA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It is set to implement its activities in Tagbilaran, Antipolo, and Bacolod, with the aim of promoting low-carbon and climate-resilient cities across the country.

The research and scoping study are expected to conclude by December 2024, providing critical insights that will help shape the city’s climate adaptation strategies and financial frameworks for sustainable urban growth.

mikocanares Asia, Capacity Building, Consulting Services, core expertise, Core services, Facilitation, Inclusion, Monitoring and Evaluation, Non-Government Organizations, project development, project management, Training

Step Up Supports Emerging Leaders through WRTC

Step Up was commissioned by the Wholistic Transformation Resource Center (WTRC) to facilitate Youth Development and Empowerment Training and Capacity Development on Project Management for the leaders of the Church of Nazarene—GMA as part of its ongoing partnership with the church.

Capacity Development on Project Management

The training, which took place from July 13 to September 14, 2024, was a key initiative to strengthen the project management skills of Church of Nazarene – GMA leaders. The blended sessions—face-to-face and online activities—focused on various stages of project management, including project conception, planning, execution, and monitoring.

The program followed a three-step approach to build the skills of project staff and volunteers:

  1. Capacity Assessment: The first step involved evaluating the current competencies of project staff and volunteers to determine the skills needed for effective project management.
  2. Project Management Strategy Development: In the second step, leaders and volunteers collaborated to create a comprehensive project management strategy detailing the tools and methods for successful project execution and monitoring.
  3. Monitoring and Documentation: The final phase of the training focused on equipping participants with the skills needed to document project progress and assess the impacts of their initiatives to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of their projects.

The training covered key topics like project initiation, planning, launching, and control, enabling participants to develop a structured approach to managing community-based projects. This initiative improved the leaders’ project management skills and reinforced WTRC’s mission of fostering holistic transformation through partnerships with churches, social enterprises, and other community-based organizations.

The completion of this training marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Step Up, WTRC, and the Church of Nazarene—GMA. It reinforces the foundation’s commitment to developing leaders who can drive meaningful change in marginalized communities and support its mission of building stronger, more sustainable communities across the nation.

Youth Development and Empowerment

The training conducted from 20 July to 21 September 2024 focused on building leadership skills, fostering self-care, and enhancing confidence in public speaking. It equipped youth leaders to manage their activities effectively and lead with purpose.
The workshop was designed around key actions to empower participants and create inclusive, supportive spaces for personal and collective growth. Among these strategies were discussions on the importance of self-care and empathy toward others, ensuring that participants felt encouraged to create welcoming environments within their ministries.
A needs assessment conducted through focus group discussions revealed that participants were particularly keen on improving their public speaking abilities, especially when engaging with children and other youth in the ministry. They expressed a desire for leadership training that moved beyond traditional formats, advocating for more interactive, engaging, and meaningful activities. Participants were also eager to explore topics like mental health, online communities, and how to encourage youth participation in ministry.
The training was structured around four main sessions, each designed to be participatory and centred on peer learning. These sessions included:

  1. Session 1: Participation in an Inclusive and Safe Spaces (Care for Self and Others) – Emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive, caring environments where everyone’s voice can be heard.
  2. Session 2: Safety in the Online World – Offering tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of online engagement while ensuring safety for both leaders and youth members.
  3. Session 3: Building Interpersonal Relationships, Self-Confidence, and Communication Skills – Fostering stronger communication, interpersonal skills, and confidence to engage with others effectively.
  4. Session 4: The Leaders We Hope to Become – Encouraging youth to reflect on the qualities they wish to embody as future leaders, helping them align their values with their leadership style.

The dynamic and hands-on nature of the sessions allowed participants to interact directly with their peers, share ideas, and engage in plenary discussions. With an emphasis on creativity, group work, and idea-sharing, the training ensured that each participant had the chance to discover their personal strengths and overcome challenges, especially those related to public speaking.
“Interactive activities, group discussions, and peer-led sharing were key aspects of the training,” explained one participant. “It helped us learn from the facilitator and each other, making the experience much more meaningful.”
The training initiative aligns with Step Up’s broader mission to develop young leaders who are capable, confident, and ready to make a lasting impact in their communities. As the Church of Nazarene – GMA youth leaders implement the skills they’ve learned, Step Up hopes to continue supporting their growth and empowerment through future.