Bakawan Guardians

During my participation in the Royal College of Art (RCA) Postgraduate Art and Design program in partnership with the Design for Good Academy, I developed Bakawan Guardians, a grassroots education initiative aimed at empowering coastal communities in the Philippines to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems. This project was part of a live online course designed to equip designers with the skills to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education). Bakawan Guardians embraces a life-centred design approach, expanding traditional design thinking to include ecological systems and community wellbeing. The program combines systems thinking and ecosystem mapping with culturally relevant educational content co-created alongside local communities, ensuring respect for indigenous knowledge and fostering shared ownership. The initiative is structured around a phased implementation strategy, starting with listening and co-design workshops, followed by pilot testing and scaling through partnerships with schools, government agencies, and NGOs. Storytelling and value proposition development are also integral, creating compelling narratives that highlight the critical role mangroves play in biodiversity, climate resilience, and livelihoods. Through this program, I deepened my understanding of life-centred design and the importance of viewing environmental challenges as interconnected systems. The experience emphasized the value of collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive education in creating sustainable change. Addressing mangrove conservation as a wicked problem highlighted the necessity of iterative, systems-based approaches and the role of education in empowering communities. The program’s business model and partnership strategies also reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and diversified support to ensure long-term impact. Overall, the RCA x Design for Good Academy provided a rich framework, expert guidance, and a supportive community that enhanced my ability to design with social and environmental impact in mind. Bakawan Guardians embodies this learning journey, representing a holistic, community-driven effort to nurture both people and nature for a sustainable future.