Youth Connect Cooperative (YCC) was born during a global crisis—but founded on a shared belief in the power of youth, innovation, and cooperation.

In 2020, as the world shifted online during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of young Filipinos from across different regions inspired by their exposure to platform cooperativism, formed a youth-initiated, youth-led cooperative that could thrive in a digital-first world. Amid uncertainty and isolation, these youth leaders saw an opportunity: to create a cooperative that would not only adapt to the new normal but also shape it.

As one of the 9 global winners of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Replication Project, YCC received a grant that helped transform their virtual collaboration into a registered cooperative. After months of ideation and planning, YCC was officially registered with the Cooperative Development Authority on September 24, 2021.

In its first year, YCC became a pioneer in virtual events, digital exhibits, and immersive virtual museums—all produced remotely by its members. As pandemic restrictions eased, YCC began its transition from purely virtual to hybrid and eventually to in-person engagement.

In late November 2021, YCC was invited to attend the 33rd World Cooperative Congress of the ICA in Seoul, South Korea. Although most of the founding members were based in the Philippines and unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was serendipitous that Jay-vee Pangan, a key member of the cooperative, was teaching in Japan at the time. As a result, Jay-vee was chosen to represent YCC and shared the cooperative’s story at the ICA Youth Network workshop in Chuncheon, effectively launching the YCC on the international stage.

In January 2022, the cooperative made the strategic decision to close its physical office in Balgan Place to reduce costs. The following month, YCC successfully held its 1st General Assembly. Later that year, on August 12, two YCC members spoke at the International Cooperative Youth Committee (ICYC) Webinar for International Youth Day, amplifying youth voices in global cooperative spaces. By September 2022, YCC celebrated its first anniversary, conducted strategic planning sessions, and began exploring partnerships with students.

YCC’s growth continued into 2023, marked by the 1st in-person strategic planning session at the 1CISP building. There, members shaped a renewed vision, mission, and core values:

• Vision: The premier network of youth cooperators
• Mission: To unify and empower youth cooperators by providing innovative services and inclusive opportunities
• Core Values: Youth-led, Optimistic, United, Trailblazer, Humane

The cooperative has also stepped into leadership roles within the youth cooperative ecosystem. In October 2023, YCC co-organized the first-ever Coop Youth Link Up, a youth conference for NCR-based cooperators. The following month, YCC documented the ICYC Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop (November 3–5, 2023), and welcomed ICYC representatives to its temporary office at the Philippine Cooperative Center.

On the global stage, Jay-vee, representing YCC, joined the Youth Assembly of the Young European Cooperative Network (YECN) in Brussels, Belgium (May 23–25, 2024) and later took part in NCBA CLUSA’s Coop IMPACT Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2024.

He also contributed to design, branding, and communication materials for key global cooperative platforms and campaigns, including Stories.coop through ICA, DotCoop, the International Day of Cooperatives 2024, the Cooperative World Map, NCBA CLUSA in Washington D.C., and the Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi, India.

By January 2025, YCC proudly reached 34 members, composed of students, young professionals, and youth leaders active in the cooperative movement.

Through it all, Youth Connect Cooperative remains grounded in its purpose: to be a platform where young cooperators can thrive, lead, and build a more inclusive future—together.