YSEALI Seeds for the Future
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Seeds for the Future Program is a small grants competition to support innovative initiatives in Southeast Asia. It provides funding for the region’s most promising young leaders to carry out projects that improve their communities, countries, and the region across the program themes of Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, Education, and Environmental Issues. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. Cultural Vistas began administering the program in 2017.
Learn More About YSEALI Seeds Grant Recipients:
Meet Our 2023 YSEALI Seeds Grant Recipients
RETHINK Mental Health
Empowering Bruneian youths through workshops and support groups that foster mental resilience and healthy coping skills.
Dassatek Awakening Young Farmer
Empowering rural Cambodian youths to achieve decent work and economic growth through youth development and agroecology programs.
SETARA Project
Establishing an Education Platform for the Equality of Criminal Children.
Get to know the project here!
Sekolah Adat Arus Kualan
Preserving indigenous wisdom through customary education in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Get to know the project here!
Cofarm - Farm for Local
Empowering farmers and restaurants with sustainable agriculture through Data-Driven Planting.
EcoCupid
Promoting hidden Southeast Asian environmental projects through multilingual media content.
Get to know the project here!
The First Jam (Urban Movement)
Teaching intentionally displaced Burmese teenagers in Mae-sot Thailand an alternative route to fulfilment and well-being through four elements of HipHop.
Get to know the project here!
SIDHI (Science Integrated Direction for High School Investigators) Mentorship
Cultivating the Next Generations of Pinoy Scientists through Research Mentorship and Upskilling.
Get to know the project here!
Bukidnon Seed Stewards Project
Future-proofing food security in Bukidnon uplands through seed banking.
The Southeast Asia Exchange
Transforming conversations on Southeast Asia by creating a welcoming and collaborative space for high school youths to engage in cross-country dialogue and rediscover their personal connections to the region.
Get to know the project here!
Safe Hug Thailand
Creating picture books and initiating open discussions on child sexual exploitation in Thailand to build a safer society.
#SEAReaders
Building the Capacity of potential teachers to enhance reading literacy skills and habits.
The Classroom Circle Project
Building safe and relational-based learning spaces in schools by introducing the Circle Practice to public school teachers in Vietnam.
Recycle Dalat
Making Dalat Youths Environmental Agents through education, practice, and habitualisation.
Contact
Cultural Vistas Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit exchange organization promoting global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions. It develops international professional experiences that create more informed, skilled, and engaged citizens. Every year, Cultural Vistas’ 30-plus unique exchange programs empower thousands of individuals and organizations in the United States and more than 135 countries to drive positive change in themselves, their organizations, and society. 212.497.3500 | yseali@culturalvistas.org | culturalvistas.org
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I better prepare my YSEALI Seeds application?
We strongly encourage you to join live webinars listed on this website. It is a unique chance to ask your questions first-hand. You can view the previous webinar recordings on Cultural Vistas YouTube channel. Through the webinars you will learn more about creating successful YSEALI Seeds application and budget proposal, as well as receive some advice from the previous YSEALI Seeds grantees.
Who can submit a proposal?
To submit a proposal you must be a registered YSEALI member, be from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam, be between the ages of 18 and 35 and have a project that addresses at least one of the following themes:
- Civic Engagement
- Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship
- Education
- Environmental Issues
Can I submit more than one project proposal?
No, you may be listed only on one 2023 YSEALI Seeds for the Future proposal. Submitting multiple proposals with the same team-members could negatively impact your chances at being selected.
What makes a successful project proposal?
A successful project is one that is feasible, innovative, reproducible, and scalable making a tangible difference in any one of the four YSEALI themes. Make sure to tune in for one of the live webinars to learn more.
Is there a maximum or minimum number of people on a team for a proposal?
There is no maximum, however, there should be an appropriate number of people in relation to the size and scale of the project. Additionally, the strongest proposals will have different people in each of the three leadership roles of Project Leader, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Does my project need to affect more than one ASEAN country?
No. However, the strongest proposals will offer solutions that can be replicated in more than one country or region.
Does my project need to have members from more than one ASEAN country?
No. However, the strongest proposals will encourage cross-border collaboration.
Does my proposal need to be in English?
Yes, all proposals must be written in English. Proposals submitted in languages other than English will be disqualified.
Can my project receive funding outside of the 2023 YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grant program?
Yes, all projects will be encouraged to seek crowdfunding through Generosity.com or other platforms and to seek additional funds through the private sector to create as much impact as possible.
How do I come up with a budget?
Budgeting is one of the hardest and most critical parts of your proposal. You must list all appropriate and applicable costs while remaining cost-conscious and feasible. The most successful projects are realistic in their costs. Please use the budget template from the application to help you get started. Make sure to not include any sustained salaries or large equipment purchase in your budget as those are not within the scope of the YSEALI Seeds grant.
How will projects be evaluated?
Projects will be evaluated by Cultural Vistas staff in conjunction with U.S. Mission to ASEAN staff and sent off to a U.S. Department of State grants panel for final review and selection.
How will I know if my project was awarded funding?
The award announcement will occur in February-March 2023. You should plan on starting your project in March 2023 and finish it by December 2023. The winning teams will be notified first via email. Other applicants will also receive an email notification.
How will funding be dispersed?
If selected, you will receive 60% of your funds after submitting the answers to the follow-up questions based off your initial proposal requested by Cultural Vistas. You will then receive 35% of funds six months later, after submitting your monthly reports and your mid-term report. Finally you will receive the last 5% of the project funds after submitting your final report with project results.
What is Cultural Vistas' role?
Cultural Vistas will be your point of contact for the entire process and serve as your mentor to implementing your project. Any questions you may have on administration, budgeting, planning etc. Cultural Vistas will work with you. Additionally, Cultural Vistas will provide online mentorship to assist you in different aspects of your project from before, to during, to after the grant has completed.