Deadline: 05-Sep-2025
Applications are now open for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Regional Workshop aimed at combating transnational crime, particularly online scams. These scams fall under broader categories like cybercrime, international economic crime, trafficking in persons, and economic migration, which directly impact the U.S., ASEAN member states, and Timor-Leste.
The workshop will help young leaders avoid becoming victims or enablers of online scams by teaching cybersecurity best practices and raising awareness of how these scams operate. It also seeks to build regional cooperation to strengthen legal and regulatory systems in ASEAN countries, learn from U.S. best practices, and prevent harm to both local populations and Americans.
The program, hosted in Phnom Penh and/or Sihanoukville, Cambodia, or Jakarta, Indonesia, will train youth to recognize and resist scams. These young leaders, often the most vulnerable and digitally engaged, are also in a prime position to spread awareness. By learning how scammers exploit fake job offers and other tactics, participants can help disrupt the cycle and educate their peers.
Through this effort, the U.S. aims to weaken scam networks and bolster national security by supporting the growth of digitally aware leaders. The training also contributes to regional economic stability, builds trust for U.S. investments, and fosters mutual economic benefits.
Key objectives of the workshop include educating youth about how scammers use deceptive job offers, preparing leaders to share this knowledge, highlighting personal and societal risks of scam involvement, and fostering a collaborative youth network across the region.
The program, titled “CyberSafe ASEAN: Equipping Young Leaders to Outsmart Scammers,” will host 60 youth participants aged 20–35 from all 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. It spans three to five days and includes structured classroom sessions on digital forensics, criminology, and law; field trips to anti-scam institutions; and hands-on demonstrations to show how scams work, including the use of AI and cryptocurrency in fraudulent schemes.
Interactive sessions will offer real-world practice through expert panels, group projects, and simulation exercises. These activities aim to generate actionable ideas that participants can implement in their communities, forming a regional network of “Digital Shields.”
The total available funding for this initiative is $200,000, with grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 and a 12-month performance period. Expected outcomes include better awareness of scam tactics, improved digital self-defense strategies, and a wide-reaching impact through community outreach and education across ASEAN.
The U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh will assist the grant recipient with workshop coordination. Ideal participants will be youth leaders with digital literacy, community involvement, and an interest in fighting scams. They must be residents of ASEAN countries or Timor-Leste and fluent in English.
Eligible applicants include U.S. and international non-profits, think tanks, civil society organizations, and educational institutions. The selected grantee will handle participant recruitment, travel logistics, communications, and the overall implementation of the workshop.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.