The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, in collaboration with Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative, is inviting emerging digital content creators from Southeast Asia to join the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) media literacy and content creation workshop running from April to June.
The program, titled Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators, aims to equip young creators with skills to navigate the evolving media landscape. The initiative includes virtual sessions on April 5 and 6 and an in-person workshop in Manila from May 28 to June 1. Participants will receive training from experts in media, technology, and academia on media literacy, content creation, brand development, audience engagement, and analytics.
Applicants must be citizens of ASEAN member countries or Timor-Leste, aged 18 to 35, with at least 1,000 followers on any social media platform and an active online presence over the past three months.
The program will also tackle critical topics such as disinformation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, fostering regional collaboration among creators.
After completing the bootcamp, participants may apply for grants worth P224,000 ($4,000) and mentorship to develop new digital projects. They will also join the U.S. international exchange alumni network, offering access to further grants and networking opportunities.
Launched in 2013, YSEALI is a U.S. government initiative supporting youth leadership in civic engagement, environmental management, education, economic growth, and good governance across Southeast Asia.
More information on YSEALI is available at yseali.state.gov.
The application deadline is Jan. 31 via https://www.ootbmedialiteracy.org/creators-co-lab/