The National Youth Commission in the region calls on interested organizations to join the 10th search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO).

Jun Angeles, NYC area officer for Northern Luzon, said since it started in 2002, the TAYO Awards Foundation Inc. has successfully established itself as the country’s only award giving body that recognizes and supports the outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the country through the annual search.

To date, more than 1,000 youth organizations joined the TAYO search and are now part of the growing youth network of the foundation.

The search is open to all groups, organizations, clubs, and societies whose membership and leadership are composed of at least 15 members who are 15 to 30 years old.

Angeles said the project entry to be submitted must be a recently conducted project or an ongoing program. A project proposal does not qualify as an entry.

A project entry that started in 2012 must either be completed or a major portion must have been undertaken before the deadline, he added.

General criteria include impact of the project entry on stakeholders, harnessing the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship, creativity and innovation, and sustainability and effective use of resources.

Angeles said apart from recognition, the winning organizations will receive an especially commissioned trophy sculpted by Toym de Leon Imao and P50,000 grant to fund new projects or continue their long-term programs.

The TAYO Awards Foundation Inc., the NYC, and the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan organized the annual search. It is presented by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and sponsored by the Philippine Council for Young Leaders in Governance, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Lenovo, Cebu Pacific Air, Jollibee, SM Supermalls, and SM Cares Foundation.

Angeles said recipients of other awards are eligible. Winners of last year’s TAYO are not eligible to join. However, other previous TAYO winners and finalists may still participate, provided they submit a project entry different from the one they previously submitted.

Deadline for submission of entries is on July 30.

Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications online through www.tayoawards.net using the online form and submit the attachments via email address tayo11entry@gmail.com. Interested applicants may also mail or hand-deliver applications to The TAYO Secretariat, National Youth Commission, 4th Floor, Bookman Building, 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City 1113.

For more inquiries, interested applicants are advised to call (02) 416-2833, 416-3415, 413-55-3 or 416-3570. They may also text or call 0917-TxtTAYO (0917-898-8296).