This ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation Collaboration has impacted close to 40,000 community members via 175 youth volunteers and 20 Civil Society Organizations/Social Enterprises since 2018
Celebrating the spirit of ASEAN Day on 8 August 2023, the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation warmly welcomed 120 enthusiastic youth volunteers and ten representatives from selected civil society organizations (CSOs) and social enterprises (SEs) from across the region. This joyous occasion marked the opening ceremony of the Regional Capacity Building Workshop for Cohort 3 of the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (EYAA) program, taking place at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Prior to commencing their community projects in Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines, the youth volunteers participated in a regional capacity-building workshop from 24 to 27 July 2023. The workshop served as a valuable platform for the volunteers and CSOs to receive comprehensive project management training and finalize their project proposals.
The community projects undertaken by the youth volunteers and CSOs are geared towards addressing a diverse range of issues concerning Arts and Culture, Community Empowerment, Education, and Environmental Diversity in the five ASEAN countries. For instance, initiatives like The Philippines’ Farmbassadors project, empowering farmers, and Waves With WASHEd, tackling water and sanitation issues, were introduced in the Philippines.
Expressing his views, Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, highlighted the significance of the EYAA Cohort 3 Program as a collaborative effort between the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation to unleash the boundless potential of ASEAN youth and communities. This program acts as a powerful catalyst for driving meaningful change, empowering young volunteers to undertake purposeful community projects that address urgent regional challenges.
Mr. Shahril Azuar Jimin, Chief Sustainability Officer of Maybank Group, echoed Dr. Piti’s focus on empowering ASEAN youth and driving positive transformation in the region. He expressed Maybank’s dedication to empowering youths and fostering collaboration for positive change. Through their partnership with the ASEAN Foundation in this program, they aim to cultivate a platform where young changemakers can harness their potential and create a lasting impact in their communities, shaping a brighter future for ASEAN by nurturing the passion and innovation of the youth.
The EYAA program is thoughtfully designed for youth between the ages of 19 to 35 years from the ten ASEAN Member States, providing an immersive and educational learning platform through social volunteerism. It offers a unique opportunity for a diverse group of young changemakers to bring their ideas to life and embark on impactful projects across selected ASEAN countries.
In its third edition, the EYAA program offers participants a wide range of opportunities and benefits. Each group of youth volunteers and CSOs in the program has the potential to receive a grant of up to USD 27,000, supporting the implementation of their community projects. Moreover, participants will build an extensive regional network, connecting with individuals and organizations from across Southeast Asia, fostering future collaborations and partnerships. The program also provides exposure across ASEAN by involving various stakeholders from the region, allowing participants to gain visibility and recognition for their contributions.
The EYAA Achievements and Impact
Since its establishment in 2018, this program has achieved remarkable results, empowering 175 youth volunteers and fostering collaborations with 20 CSOs and social enterprises. As a direct result of these efforts, an impressive 38,933 community members across ASEAN have experienced positive impacts. Moreover, the program’s reach extends even further, having engaged an additional 851,910 individuals through various online events.
The opening ceremony of EYAA: Cohort 3 was truly significant, marked by a solemn gong ceremony attended by key stakeholders. Among the esteemed guests were Associate Professor Sittidaj Pongkijvorasin, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Amb. Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zamzamzairani, Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation, Dr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, Chairman of Maybank Securities Thailand, Mr. Shahril Azuar Jimin, Chief Sustainability Officer of Maybank, and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation. Additionally, H.E. Ekkaphab Phanthavong, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, delivered an impactful speech through a video message before the gong ceremony.
The event saw the presence of representatives from Permanent Missions to ASEAN, Assistant Professor Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep, Executive Director of the ASEAN Studies Center, Professor Suthiphand Chirathiwat, Advisor of the ASEAN Studies Center, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network, as well as members of the media. The collective attendance of these distinguished individuals highlighted the significance and relevance of the program in promoting positive change and fostering meaningful connections throughout the ASEAN region.
