FAQ

1. What is YSEALI Boot Camp 2021?
The U.S. Embassy of Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with the Biji-biji Initiative and Me.reka aspires to ignite new ideas and innovations in civic engagement through the YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative) Boot Camps. This 4-month initiative aims to empower and provide a community of young leaders with opportunities and necessary skills in becoming relevant and impactful civic participants in Malaysian.

2. What is YSEALI?
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. Through a variety of programs and engagements, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community. YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region:
- Civic Engagement
- Economic Empowerment and Social Entrepreneurship
- Education
- Environmental Issues

3. Is this program for all Malaysians?
This program is specifically for Sabah and Sarawak citizens of Malaysia.

4. What will the Boot Camp focus on?
This Civic Engagement capacity-building program aspires to ignite new ideas and innovations in youths within our community. Some of the possible areas of advocacy are diversity and inclusion, environmental issues, and digital equity.

5. Why should I join this program?
This YSEALI program will equip you with valuable skills and necessary knowledge that will help you begin your civic engagement journey.You will also learn skills and gain extensive knowledge to be solution providers to issues and challenges faced in your community through the use of dialogue, media communication tools, and technologies. You will also have the opportunity to network with other like-minded young leaders.

6. Do I get to pick my team members?
Yes! You have full control over whom you want to be in your team. Your teammates do not have to be from the Boot Camp but need to register as a YSEALI member: https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali/.

7. How do I apply?

8. When is the application dateline?

9. When can I apply?
Application is now closed

10. Are there any application fees?

11. What is the commitment required to participate? How long do I have to participate?
By applying, you would agree to fully participate in the Boot Camp virtually, over the course of 3 weeks in October. The Boot Camp program will cover topics such as advocacy, campaign management, media communication, impact assessment, and leadership to bring positive changes to communities.

12. Does the YSEALI program provide cash prize?
Four Teams will receive RM5,000 each.

13. Is this program open to all individuals from the island of Borneo?
This program is specifically designed for Sabahan and Sarawakian only.

14. Can teammates be from both Sabah and Sarawak?
Yes! Teammates can be mixed from both Sabah and Sarawak. Those with team members from West Malaysia must have at least 50% off the team made up off people from Sabah and/or Sarawak.

15. Do participants have to be residing in Sabah and Sarawak to participate?
Participants do not have to be residing in Sabah and Sarawak, however, they must be native to the states of Sabah and Sarawak.