Deadline: 2 December 2019

The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has announced an open competition for the 2020 Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP).

SEAYLP aims to create and foster relationships among young people of ASEAN countries and the United States, instill an awareness of shared values to enable youth in the region to face global challenges together, and underscore Asia as a foreign policy priority for the United States. The program directly supports the strategic goals of strengthening people-to-people ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, engaging young leaders, and cultivating a more cohesive community identity in the region.

Through the program, diverse and intellectually-curious student leaders aged 15 to 17 will participate in an intensive, three-week exchange program in the United States designed to promote high-quality leadership, civic responsibility, and civic engagement among future leaders. Exchange activities will provide an examination of the principles of democracy and civil society as practiced in the United States and provide participants with training that allows them to develop their leadership skills

The Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program, launched in 2009, empowers youth and strengthens people-to-people ties, cultivating a more cohesive community identity in both the United States and Southeast Asia. The program brings 60 high school students and adult mentors from the ten ASEAN member countries together with approximately 15 American high school students for a three-week U.S.-based exchange program focused on leadership, youth development, and the shared challenges faced by the United States and ASEAN member countries. These challenges are explored through the three pillars of the ASEAN community: political and security cooperation, economic skills-building (through the exchange’s project development), and socio-cultural leadership (through hands-on activities, workshops, seminars, and site visits to foster greater communication). Participants develop projects to address the needs of their communities upon their return home. Approximately six participants each will come from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Goals

• Instill a sense of civic responsibility, respect for diversity, and a commitment to cooperation;
• Foster lasting bonds among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups;
• Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and ASEAN countries; and
• Develop a cadre of young leaders in the region who will share their knowledge and skills with peers through positive action

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,600,000
• Award Ceiling: $1,600,000

Benefits

• Demonstrate an increased understanding of the shared challenges their nations face;
• Work together to identify and overcome misunderstandings and preconceptions;
• Develop leadership skills that empower them to become effective advocates in their home communities;
• Learn and apply the skills needed to effectively organize their follow-on projects; and
• Learn to network as program alumni.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications may be submitted by U.S. public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3).

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

Eligible Countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, United States

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321638