How We Transformed an Entire Province Through Greenpreneurship: A Semester of Impact in Zamboanga del Norte

In June 2025, we embarked on a bold mission in partnership with ChildFund Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd): to empower hundreds of Grade 12 students and public school teachers in Zamboanga del Norte with real-world entrepreneurship skills — the Academy of Entrepreneurs way.

What happened over the next several months was nothing short of transformational.

A Province-Wide Greenpreneurship Movement Begins

The program started by training Grade 12 public school teachers week by week on how to teach using the Academy of Entrepreneurs’ Entrepreneurs Methodology — a dynamic, 100% practical, workshop-based learning model.

Instead of traditional lectures, teachers learned to deliver entrepreneurship through:

• hands-on activities

• community problem-solving

• real market validation

• teamwork

• and industry-aligned project creation

  
  

This approach was so effective that teachers described the curriculum as engaging, relevant, and deeply empowering

Mapped Directly Into the Grade 12 Core Entrepreneurship Subject

The entire program was mapped into the official Grade 12 Entrepreneurship subject, making it easy, practical, and fully aligned with the DepEd curriculum.

Every week followed a clear cycle:

1. AE Masterclass for Teachers

2. Teachers implement the new module in class

3. Students build real solutions to real problems

4. Coaching, support, and refinement

   
   

This created a ripple effect across the entire province, teachers upskilling, students innovating, and communities benefiting.

Students Solved Local Problems With Global Impact

Each student team was challenged to identify local community problems, connect them to SDGs, and build green business solutions.

Their projects included:

• sustainable packaging

• eco-friendly jewelry

• sustainable paint from natural pigments

• river clean-up solutions

• recycling and community education

• upcycled home decor

  
  

They weren’t just learning entrepreneurship, they were practicing leadership, sustainability, and innovation in real time.

DepEd later wrote that the program

“broadened our understanding of environmental sustainability and reshaped the way we view entrepreneurship.”

Pitch Day: Every Team Secured Funding

The grand finale took place on November 14, where all student teams pitched to a panel of industry judges including:

• ChildFund Philippines

• Academy of Entrepreneurs

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

• Department of Education

In an unprecedented outcome,  every single team received funding and support to bring their projects to life.

DepEd described the impact as

“truly transformative… our learners gained not only knowledge but also confidence, purpose, and hope for their future.”

Teachers Became Innovators — Not Just Instructors

Throughout the program, teachers:

• delivered hands-on workshops

• guided student pitching

• coached teams

• integrated SDGs into lessons

• facilitated community-aligned projects

DepEd highlighted the teachers’ transformation, saying they developed the confidence to advocate for sustainable practices and inspire others to take action.

A Program So Successful, DepEd Requested it for Grades 9–12

Because of the overwhelming results, and the visible transformation in teachers, students, and communities, DepEd issued formal letters requesting the Greenpreneurship Program to be rolled out across Grades 9 to 12 for more schools in the region.

They stated:

“The program’s impact on our learners has been truly transformative.”

“We wish to formally express our intent to implement the GreenPreneurship Program for Grades 9 to 12.”

“The program sparked innovative thinking, strengthened our commitment to sustainability, and created opportunities for green livelihood development.”

This is the kind of system-wide change that redefines what education can be.

A Special Note of Appreciation from DepEd

DepEd specifically acknowledged our leadership:

“We would also like to extend our appreciation to Ms. Paula Mills & the Academy of Entrepreneurs Team, whose passion, energy, and heartfelt encouragement deeply resonated with our learners. Your ability to inspire and push them toward their goals made a lasting impact, and Paula has become a true role model for many of them.”

A 100% Successful Project, With Lasting Community Impact

This wasn’t just a program.

It was:

• a movement

• a mindset shift

• a new model for Philippine education

• a blueprint for youth empowerment

• a launchpad for real green innovations

Students left not just with certificates, but with confidence, market-ready skills, funded ventures, and a deeper belief that they can become the next generation of Filipino entrepreneurs and environmental leaders.

The Future: Scaling Across the Philippines

With DepEd now requesting expansion, more schools from across Zamboanga del Norte and Dipolog City expressing interest, and ChildFund’s continued support — this program is just beginning.

The dream is clear:

Greenpreneurship for every Filipino student. Innovation for every community. A sustainable future led by the youth.

And together, we’re making that happen.