What is YSEALI Seeds for the Future?

YSEALI Seeds for the Future is a small grants competition designed to empower young leaders in Southeast Asia. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the program supports innovative project ideas that address pressing community needs, foster regional collaboration, and create sustainable impact within the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste.

By providing financial assistance and resources, YSEALI enables young changemakers to implement initiatives that address pressing societal issues and promote sustainable development.

Program Overview

  • Empowerment: Provides funding, mentorship, and resources to young changemakers.
  • Innovation: Encourages creative solutions to societal challenges.
  • Collaboration: Promotes cross-border cooperation among Southeast Asian youth.
  • Impact: Aims for sustainable, long-term benefits in communities.

Program Objectives

The primary objectives of YSEALI Seeds for the Future 2025 are to:

Empowering Youth Leadership

  • Cultivating the leadership skills of young individuals to drive positive change within their communities.
  • Develop the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders.

Promoting Sustainable Development

  • Supporting projects that contribute to environmental sustainability and resource management.
  • Address climate change and environmental challenges in the region.

Enhancing Civic Engagement

  • Encouraging community participation and dialogue to address societal challenges.
  • Address societal challenges through inclusive dialogue and action.

Fostering Economic Growth

  • Facilitate initiatives that boost economic stability and entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Support social enterprises that address community needs.

Advance Education

  • Promote access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
  • Support educational programs that empower individuals and communities.

Core Themes

Projects funded by YSEALI Seeds for the Future must align with at least one of the following YSEALI core themes: 

Civic Engagement

  • Initiatives that promote active participation in community development.
  • Projects that encourage volunteerism, advocacy, and civic responsibility.

Education

  • Efforts focused on enhancing learning, training, and educational development.
  • Projects that improve access to education and promote educational equity.

Economic Growth:

  • Programs that support entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth.
  • Initiatives that empower marginalized groups through economic opportunities.

Sustainable Development:

  • Initiatives that address environmental challenges and promote sustainability.
  • Projects focused on conservation, climate action, and responsible resource use.

Program Impact

YSEALI Seeds for the Future strives to create a lasting impact by:

Driving Social Change

  • Enabling projects that tackle critical social issues.
  • Improving the quality of life in communities across Southeast Asia.

Building Capacity

  • Providing young leaders with tools, knowledge, and resources.
  • Enhancing skills necessary for successful project implementation.

Encouraging Collaboration

  • Fostering partnerships among young leaders across ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste.
  • Facilitating the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions.

Ensuring Sustainability

  • Supporting projects designed for long-term impact beyond the funding period.
  • Promoting models that can be replicated or scaled for greater reach.

How to Participate

To participate in YSEALI Seeds for the Future, prospective applicants must:

Meet Eligibility Requirements:

  • Citizenship: Be citizens of an ASEAN country or Timor-Leste.
  • Age: Be between 18 and 35 years old during the program period (February to November 2025).
  • Team Composition: Form a team with at least three members fulfilling essential roles.

Develop a Project Proposal:

  • Craft a compelling proposal aligned with one or more core themes.
  • Ensure the project addresses a specific community need or regional challenge.

Submit an Application:

  • Complete the Stage 1 application form by the specified deadline.
  • Provide all required documents and information as per the guidelines.

Engage with Resources:

  • Attend informational webinars.
  • Utilize support documents and seek guidance to enhance your application.

About YSEALI

Launched in 2013, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region:

  • Civic Engagement
  • Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Education
  • Environmental Issues

Why YSEALI?

  • Youth-Centric: Approximately 65% of the population in the ASEAN region is under the age of 35. YSEALI harnesses the extraordinary potential of these young people.
  • Regional Cooperation: Promotes cross-border cooperation to solve regional and global challenges.
  • Leadership Development: Builds the leadership capabilities of youth through various programs. 

YSEALI Programs Include:

  • Professional Fellowships: Opportunities for young leaders to gain practical experience in the United States.
  • Academic Fellowships: Educational exchanges to enhance knowledge and skills.
  • Regional Workshops: Platforms for collaboration on shared challenges.
  • Grant Funding: Financial support for youth-led initiatives through programs like YSEALI Seeds for the Future.
  • YSEALI Academy: Educational programs focusing on leadership and professional development.

Why YSEALI?

Approximately 65% of people in the ASEAN region are under the age of 35. YSEALI is an effort to harness the extraordinary potential of youth in the region to address critical challenges and expand opportunities.

Who is YSEALI?

The YSEALI community consists of bright young leaders, 18–35 years old, from Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam who are making a difference in their communities, countries, and the region.

Join the Movement

Young people in Southeast Asia are working to make tomorrow a brighter day, and YSEALI is here to help.

We want to hear from you! What resources do young leaders need to tackle environmental issues, educate your generation, increase prosperity, and work for the good of your community?

Share your ideas. Sign up today to be a part of the YSEALI community.

Join thousands of your peers, connect with us on our social channels:

Next Steps

For more detailed information, please refer to the following articles in our Help Centre: