Deadline: 10 April 2020
U.S. Mission to Vietnam is seeking proposal submissions for a cooperative agreement to design, implement, and oversee the 2020 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Summit (YSEALI Summit), pending the availability of FY 2020 funds.
The three-day Summit (exclusive of arrival and departure dates) will gather 150 participants aged 18-35. The award recipient should design a youth-focused, high-energy, and dynamic YSEALI Summit to give the next generation of Southeast Asian leaders the opportunity to develop solutions, partnerships, and ideas around the 2020 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) theme, “Cohesive and Responsive.”
The 2020 YSEALI Summit will focus specifically on the education pillar. The Summit will enable participants to study and observe the latest challenges and opportunities in education sectors throughout Southeast Asia and learn about innovative educational approaches and cutting-edge technology to empower the economic development of the region and beyond.
The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components and aspects of a youth focused YSEALI Summit to take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between October and December 2020, based on scheduling availability. The three-day YSEALI Summit will gather 150 YSEALI alumni aged 18-35. The award recipient should schedule the Summit event in coordination with the U.S. Mission to Vietnam at a mutually agreed upon date (tentatively proposed for October 4-8, 2020) and location in Ho Chi Minh City; design the YSEALI Summit application materials; develop an outreach and recruitment plan; receive and screen applications in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State; identify and secure speakers; plan YSEALI Summit events and workshops; develop the agenda in cooperation with the U.S. Mission to Vietnam; oversee travel logistics, and manage follow-on activities.
Priority Region
ASEAN and Timor-Leste
The YSEALI Summit should include the following aspects:
- Interaction among YSEALI participants and senior U.S. government officials, U.S. business and civic leaders, and dynamic young leaders from the ASEAN region and Timor-Leste;
- Inspirational speeches from emerging and prominent leaders in the region;
- Integration of YSEALI and alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to serve as speakers, panelists, or activity leads;
- Opportunities for YSEALI participants to engage with each other and put into practice what they have learned through the YSEALI pillars;
- Experiential learning activities to hone relevant leadership skills;
- An emphasis on building ties across ASEAN and Southeast Asia and well as with the United States. Discussions on the importance of cross-border ties to advance human capital development;
- In addition, the YSEALI Summit’s content should include elements of cultural exchange and be demographically appropriate, relevant, and original in presentation as well as in the choice of speakers, venues, and partner institutions. Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, innovation, connectivity, originality, inclusivity, and logical continuity. Proposals will be also evaluated based on direct links between the proposed activities and the YSEALI Summit’s theme and YSEALI pillars. Proposals should include a high level of involvement by YSEALI alumni and members in the Summit’s schedule as speakers and facilitators in order to be considered.
Content of the YSEALI Summit may include:
- Best practices in developing human capital through innovative educational approaches and cutting-edge economic methodologies
- Small-group skill building workshops on relevant topics (i.e. public speaking, design thinking, data visualization, storytelling, etc.)
- The role of public private partnerships and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in spurring innovative educational and economic reforms
- Site visits to innovative social enterprises
- Leadership skills and community development skills
- Strategies for personal growth and development
- Community service
- Networking events
- Publications, program materials, and all other online programs, including social media and websites, should explain YSEALI’s mission and emphasize the U.S. Department of State’s role as the program’s sponsor. As such, all materials should note: “The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative is a program of the U.S. Department of State and the 2020 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Summit is implemented by the [Award Recipient.]” All program branding must be approved by the State Department. Program branding should include YSEALI and U.S. Mission to Vietnam logos, as well as the American Flag. The award recipient’s logo can be included and should be preceded by “implemented by.”
Funding Information
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $600,000
- Total possible funding level, contingent on funds availability: $600,000
- Anticipated program start date: Award start date June 2020, program start date early October 2020
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S. and foreign Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
- U.S. and foreign Public and private not for profit educational institutions
- The following organizations are not eligible to apply:
- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
- For-profit entities
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=324956
