The eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA) programme has expanded its latest cohort to 110 youth volunteers, who will implement 10 community projects across eight ASEAN countries in the coming weeks.
The sixth cohort, launched by Maybank Foundation and the ASEAN Foundation in Bangkok, marks the programme’s largest intake to date following Timor-Leste’s accession as ASEAN’s 11th member state and the inclusion of Lao PDR as a new implementing country.
The volunteers will work alongside local communities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam for two weeks, focusing on projects addressing climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, waste management, cultural heritage preservation and women’s economic empowerment.
Since its launch in 2018, the programme has supported 482 youth volunteers, completed 50 community projects and benefited more than 114,000 people across ASEAN.
To strengthen long-term impact, Cohort 6 introduces two new initiatives comprising an Alumni as Mentors programme, where former participants will guide current volunteers through cultural orientation and local engagement, and an Alumni Accelerator Programme offering grants of up to US$2,500 for alumni-led community projects.
In Malaysia, the programme will support the ASEAN Guru Innovation Challenge in Kuching, Sarawak, led by Fly Technology Agriculture Sdn Bhd. The initiative aims to strengthen sustainability education by providing teachers with innovation grants, training and support from ASEAN youth volunteers while working with the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board.
Maybank Foundation will continue providing grant funding of up to US$25,000 for each project team under its partnership with the ASEAN Foundation, which began in 2018.
Following the regional capacity-building workshop held in Bangkok from July 1 to July 4, the volunteers will be deployed to their respective project locations, where they will work with local partner organisations to deliver community-based solutions and strengthen local capacity.
