About SKC
A Youth-Led Civil Society Network with Global Reach.
SKC Philippines (Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition), legally incorporated as SKC Center for Leadership and Excellence Inc., is a Philippine civil society organization and youth-led policy coalition operating at the intersection of grassroots mobilization and multilateral governance.
Who We Are
Rooted in the Philippines and operating at the intersection of grassroots mobilization and multilateral governance, SKC Philippines (Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition) was founded in 2013 by Ellirie Aviles on the conviction that young Filipinos are not merely beneficiaries of policy; they are its most consequential architects. From a national youth network, SKC has grown into a recognized actor in global governance spaces, convening youth organizations, regional guilds, and provincial councils across the archipelago while maintaining active engagement with United Nations bodies, regional multilateral platforms, and civil society coalitions worldwide.
Legal Name
SKC Center for Leadership and Excellence Inc.
Common Name
SKC Philippines (Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition)
Country of Origin
Republic of the Philippines
UN Status
UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status since 2021
Over a Decade of Youth-Led Advocacy.
Founded
SKC Philippines (Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition) established by Ellirie Aviles as a national youth network committed to participatory governance and policy advocacy.
National Youth Commission Accreditation
Accredited by the National Youth Commission under the Youth Organization Registration Program (NYC-YORP), formalizing SKC's standing as a recognized national youth organization.
UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status
Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the highest level of formal recognition for civil society organizations within the UN system.
Central Luzon Human Rights Network (CLHRN)
Co-founded the Central Luzon Human Rights Network (CLHRN) alongside the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region III and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon, expanding SKC's legal advocacy mandate.
Year of Accreditation
Accreditation Level
Special Consultative Status
United Nations Economic and Social Council
Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
Since 2021, SKC has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the highest level of formal recognition available to civil society organizations within the UN system. This accreditation authorizes SKC to participate in ECOSOC sessions and subsidiary bodies, submit written statements to UN mechanisms, deliver oral interventions at relevant UN forums, and engage with UN agencies, funds, and programmes on matters of youth, governance, and sustainable development.
This status reflects the UN's recognition of SKC's credibility, governance integrity, and substantive contribution to international policy discourse. It positions SKC as a legitimate interlocutor between Filipino youth communities and the global multilateral system.
Amplifying the Power of Youth Voices in Global Governance.
Mission
To mobilize, capacitate, and represent Filipino youth in local and international policy spaces, ensuring that the voices of young people from all regions, sectors, and backgrounds are heard, respected, and acted upon in the decisions that shape their futures.
Vision
A world where youth-led civil society is a permanent, credible, and influential force in global governance, where no policy affecting young people is made without them.
SKC Developmental Priorities
SKC has identified six (6) developmental priorities based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Among these priorities, a primary and secondary focus is adopted at the regional level to concentrate efforts and resources on campaigns and projects that could create bigger impact in our communities.
The following are identified as development priorities of SKC based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
01
Quality and Accessible Education for All
Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all young Filipinos across the archipelago.
02
Climate and Environmental Action
Mobilizing youth-led advocacy and community action to address the climate crisis, protect ecosystems, and build resilient communities.
03
Poverty Reduction & Access to Adequate Food
Championing policies and programs that lift communities out of poverty and ensure food security and nutrition for all.
04
Decent Jobs and Sustainable Livelihood
Promoting economic inclusion, youth employment, and sustainable livelihood pathways that empower young Filipinos to thrive.
05
Health and Social Welfare
Advancing universal health coverage, mental health awareness, and social protection systems that leave no young person behind.
06
Peace in Diversity
Fostering a culture of peace, justice, and inclusive institutions that celebrate diversity and uphold the rights of every community.
Selected Global and Regional Partnerships
SKC Philippines maintains formal and collaborative relationships with a broad network of intergovernmental bodies, civil society coalitions, and regional organizations worldwide. The partnerships listed below represent a selection of SKC's active institutional engagements.
United Nations ECOSOC
Special Consultative Status since 2021. Authorized to participate in ECOSOC sessions, submit written statements, and deliver oral interventions at relevant UN forums.
UNCAC Coalition
Active participant in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Coalition, the global network of civil society organizations monitoring implementation of the UNCAC.
Civil Society Platform on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS)
Philippine national focal point for the CSPPS, an international network of civil society organizations engaged in peacebuilding and statebuilding processes globally.
UN ESCAP Collaboration
Regional research and youth environment survey initiatives conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region III
Strategic partner in the co-founding of the Central Luzon Human Rights Network (CLHRN) in 2026, advancing access to justice and human rights protection for youth and marginalized communities.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Central Luzon
Co-founding partner of the CLHRN and signatory to a Memorandum of Agreement on access to justice initiatives, providing legal assistance pathways for youth and communities in Central Luzon.
CANSEA (Climate Action Network – Southeast Asia)
Regional climate advocacy network connecting civil society organizations across Southeast Asia. SKC engages with CANSEA to amplify youth voices on climate justice, environmental governance, and the region's transition to sustainable development.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Youth Initiative
Partner organization advancing the right to access public information among Filipino youth. SKC collaborates with the FOI Youth Initiative to promote transparency, accountability, and civic literacy as foundations of democratic governance.
This list is not exhaustive. SKC Philippines engages with additional intergovernmental bodies, regional networks, and bilateral civil society partners across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.
How SKC Is Organized
SKC operates through a federated governance model that ensures representation from all levels of its network, from provincial councils to regional guilds to the national leadership. Decision-making is participatory and consensus-driven, reflecting the organization's commitment to the democratic values it advocates in policy spaces.
National Leadership
The National Executive Council provides strategic direction, institutional representation, and oversight of SKC's policy and programmatic commitments.
18 Regional Youth Guilds
Regional guilds serve as the operational backbone of SKC's programmatic work, coordinating capacity building, policy advocacy, and humanitarian response at the regional level.
40+ Provincial Councils
Provincial councils anchor SKC's grassroots presence, ensuring that national and international policy positions are grounded in the lived realities of youth across the Philippines.
60+ Affiliated Organizations
A diverse network of affiliated youth organizations spanning civil society, academe, and the private sector that contribute expertise, reach, and legitimacy to SKC's coalition.