ACC21 is an international cooperation NGO that works to reduce poverty and solve social issues, based on its network with local NGOs in Asia. According to its official website, it is connected with more than 100 local NGOs in 13 Asian countries.
One of its main pillars is support for children and young people living on the streets in the Philippines. Its website also introduces other activities, including "Japan-Korea Future Youth Support," which supports young people in Japan and South Korea, secretariat work for public interest trusts in nine Asian countries, support for women in Asia, and the promotion of collaboration between NGOs in Japan and the Philippines.
The news section of the site lists announcements about "talk spaces," where young people from Japan and Korea discuss how they engage with society, and about crowdfunding for the second "Asia Future Youth Conference," planned for November 2026. It conveys how much effort the organization puts into creating places where young people can take part.
Key points
- Built on a network of more than 100 local NGOs in 13 Asian countries
- Ongoing support for children and young people living on the streets in the Philippines
- "Future" projects where young people in Japan and Korea talk together and young leaders from across Asia gather
Why this organization's work stands out
Because it works together with NGOs active on the ground, its support is more likely to fit the realities of each community, which is a real strength. It is also notable that, beyond the relationship of those who give and those who receive, it keeps creating places where young people talk and learn from one another.
With ways to get involved beyond donating, such as online events, in-kind donations and used-book charity fundraising, the entry points seem wide even for people encountering international cooperation for the first time.
Editor's comment
Asia's problems can easily feel far away, but seeing an organization like ACC21 that centers its work on "connections" makes me feel that we, too, can find things we can do.
Why not start by visiting the official website and looking at the activities and events that catch your interest?