ASSIST’s ANNAKKO Project Wins Gold at Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards 2025

Makati, Philippines - October 02, 2025 - The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) garnered the Gold Award in the Social Category - Human Rights and Labor Standards category at the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards 2025 for its flagship project, ANNAKKO: Our Children, Our Future.

The Gold award was given to ASSIST in the Social Category - Human Rights and Labor Standards. ANNAKKO is a project that empowers children, schools, youth groups and communities by raising awareness on child labor, strengthening protective systems, and creating safer environments for children. Through interactive training sessions, school and community engagement, and livelihood initiatives, ANNAKKO supports families in ensuring that children are protected, educated, and given opportunities for holistic development.

More than child protection, this project uplifts entire families and communities. It introduces skill-building opportunities, livelihood support, and continuous community engagement to address the socio-economic pressures that often drive children into labor. By reinforcing protective systems and offering sustainable alternatives for families, ANNAKKO creates safer, more supportive environments where children can truly thrive.

The Gold recognition at the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards affirms the importance of ANNAKKO’s mission and underscores ASSIST’s dedication to upholding human rights and advancing inclusive development. It also highlights how collective action and community-based solutions can create lasting change.

With this victory, ASSIST’s ANNAKKO project automatically qualifies for the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, carrying with it not only the pride of its achievements but also the responsibility of advancing a shared vision of a more sustainable future for all. With ANNAKKO, ASSIST continues to champion child rights, empower families, and uplift communities that are driving progress toward a future where every child is safe, educated, and free to reach their full potential.

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About ASSIST: ASSIST is a self-sustaining pan-Asian non-profit organization that seeks to achieve sustainable transformation to ensure improvement of social equity amongst all. Its goal is to empower target groups and make them resilient to social, economic and environmental challenges. It believes more good can be achieved through collaboration, open communication and capacity building, anchored to the philosophy "Partners for Progress". It has carried out over 500 projects funded by organizations across Southeast Asia, South Asia, China and Africa.

About Inquirer ESG Edge Awards: The Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards is an annual recognition program that celebrates organizations, initiatives, and leaders who go beyond business by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their core strategies. Organized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the awards highlight best practices in sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance, showcasing innovative efforts that contribute to inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, human rights, and corporate accountability.