Co-Founder / Executive Director
Val Amiel Vestil
Executive Staff · (He/Him)
Our Mission
Enabling communities to be ecologically literate and proactive towards a more livable planet.
Who We Are
A youth-led movement for environmental storytelling
The Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ) is a youth-led environmental non-profit working to engage and educate civil society on environmental sustainability through youth development and media training.
The organization believes that young people have the distinctive ability and responsibility to help further environmental action through story-telling. We envision being the primary source of positive stories about solutions being developed by individuals, communities, governments, and businesses which deviate from the pessimism of environmental issues and bring them to a more progressive attention.
What started out as an informal network of earth warriors and storytellers in 2017 in Dumaguete, AYEJ has now expanded to become an official Securities and Exchange Commission-registered entity of the Philippine Government.
The organization is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network - Youth.
Association of Young
Environmental Journalists
Empowering young storytellers to champion environmental awareness and sustainability through journalism and advocacy.
About the Logo
Quill signifies our will and purpose to #LetTheEarthBeHeard.
Green represents the color of terrestrial life forms.
The dominant color of blue over green refers to the ocean's significant surface cover on the Earth than land.
Blue is the color of the sky, sea and its inhabitants.
Logo created by Javan Lev A. Poblador
Our Core Values
The Things That We Value
Val Amiel Vestil
Executive Director, AYEJ
What We Do
The Three Cs of What We Do
Recognition
Awards & Recognition
01 — Recognition
National Winner
Search for the 16th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) of the Philippines 2019 — Manila, Philippines
AYEJ emerged as one of the top ten winners after over 300 youth organizations applied across the Philippines for the prestigious award. It was distinctly recognized from among 19 other national finalists for employing a strategy in environmental sustainability that is 'not common, but equally meaningful,' according to TAYO Awards Foundation President Percival Cendaña. The Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) is the sole award-giving body that grants nationwide recognition to formal and non-formal youth organizations for their outstanding contributions to nation-building and development.
02 — Recognition
Winner
Negros Young Heroes' Award: Gawad Parangal Para sa Kabataan — Dumaguete, Philippines
AYEJ was honored with the Negros Young Heroes Award, an annual recognition honoring young Negrenses and Negros-based organizations whose lives are dedicated not only to the betterment of self but also of others. The program was initiated by Gaba-an Youth Lead and Yamang Bukid together with Newground Events.
03 — Recognition
Philippine Representative
European Development Days 2019 — Brussels, Belgium
AYEJ brought the voices of the climate crisis-vulnerable Philippines through its Executive Director, Val Amiel Vestil, in a high-level panel on Climate Change and Environmental Inequalities. The panel explored the interlinkages between climate change, the environment, and inequality under the theme 'Finding the path towards an inclusive and green transition leaving no one behind.'
04 — Recognition
Digital Youth Ambassador
Digital Youth Summit 2018 by Facebook PH — Quezon City, Philippines
AYEJ was among five organizations from across the Philippines that received funding from Facebook and Mano Amiga to implement a digital campaign. Through Project 1.5, AYEJ engaged creatives and artists nationwide to communicate messages on the ecological emergency and the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold through poetry, prose, photography, digital manipulation, and traditional art.
Partners
Who We’ve Worked With
UN SDSN Youth
Internews Earth Journalism Network
DENR Region VII
Silliman University
Cebu Media Collective
Green Beat Caravan
UN SDSN Youth
Internews Earth Journalism Network
DENR Region VII
Silliman University
Cebu Media Collective
Green Beat Caravan
UN SDSN Youth
Internews Earth Journalism Network
DENR Region VII
Silliman University
Cebu Media Collective
Green Beat Caravan
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Meet the individuals guiding our mission, supporting our vision, and helping shape the future of environmental journalism.
Our Team
Executive Staff
The team responsible for leading programs, coordinating initiatives, and bringing our mission into action.
Co-Founder / Operations
Rhyn Anthony Esolana
Executive Staff · (He/Him)
Program Officer
Aprille Roselle Juanillo
Executive Staff · (She/Her)
Newsroom Manager
Tiara Jabutay
Executive Staff · (She/Her)
Design Strategist
Irish Jane Calungsod
Executive Staff · (She/Her)