U.S. Department of State YSEALI Grant for the 2025 Blue Economy Regional Workshop in Indonesia

YSEALI (yseali.state.gov) is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to engage emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. Through a variety of programs and engagements, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.

YSEALI is open to young leaders ages 18-35 who are both citizens and residents of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) or Timor-Leste. Responding to priorities from youth in the ASEAN region, YSEALI programs focus on four themes (Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship, Education and Environmental Issues).

One component of YSEALI is the annual Regional Workshops held across Southeast Asia on strategic topics.

Focusing on youth and community action, the YSEALI Blue Economy Regional Workshop aims to advance the YSEALI theme of Sustainable Development and U.S. Embassy Jakarta’s strategic goals by examining how technology and regional collaboration can create sustainable economic growth in sectors related to ocean ecosystems. These include the emerging sectors of renewable blue energy, desalination, and blue carbon, as well as traditional sectors of fisheries, marine conservation, and marine transportation. It also supports U.S. Embassy Singapore’s strategic goals by bringing Singapore, limited in space and natural resources, into regional partnership roles on blue economic issues, from green shipping and renewable energy to desalination and ocean-based food security.  

The workshop should be a minimum of five and maximum of six days – inclusive of travel days (with international travel into and out of Singapore’s Changi airport). Lodging and conference venue should be in Batam with the majority of workshop sessions taking place in Batam, but day trips to Singapore and other areas around Batam to explore sustainable fishing, blue energy, or green port initiatives like the U.S-Singapore green shipping corridor can be included. The program may also include meetings and activities in Singapore on arrival or prior to departure. Travel to and from Batam should be via high-speed ferry services.

This workshop will bring together 60 YSEALI members from ASEAN countries and Timor Leste who have an interest in emerging energy technologies, coastal economic development, environmental development, environmental science, green technology, marine conservation, social equity, economic vitality, and the ability to lead. Proposals may also include participation of the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) network to create synergy between communities working on blue issues economy across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

YSEALI leaders will have the opportunity to share new ideas and perspectives on how to harness the potential of the blue economy to increase economic growth in a sustainable and science-based way. The workshop should include sessions on defining blue economy, introducing ASEAN and ASEAN member state initiatives related to blue economy, regional collaboration, and multi-nation funding opportunities. The workshop should look at blue economy issues in a globalized society and examine approaches taken by the United States and countries in the region. The concepts of leadership, giving back, and strengthening a Southeast Asian/ASEAN identity based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program.

Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States, an ASEAN member country, or Timor-Leste.

The workshop should include site visits to companies, government-affiliated programs, or non-governmental organizations where innovative approaches are being taken to harness blue economy potential.

The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, and/or ongoing mentorship. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan. The workshop should also include a cultural or community service component that promotes ASEAN unity, and the United States as a partner to ASEAN. 

The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program.

The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, or ongoing mentorship. The follow-on activity should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan. 

The proposal should include a pre and post workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic.

No new website specific to the event should be created or launched. Domain, hosting and build costs will not be covered.