eYAA’s youth-driven initiatives have impacted over 89,000 people across ASEAN with support from 40 partner organisations.
Leading up to the ASEAN Day celebration on 8 August 2025, Maybank Foundation and ASEAN Foundation officially welcomed 100 youth volunteers and representatives from 10 civil society organisations (CSOs) and social enterprises (SEs) from across Southeast Asia at the Opening Ceremony of the latest Regional Capacity Building Workshop for eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (eYAA): Cohort 5, held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 100 selected youth volunteers, aged 19 to 35, came from ten ASEAN Member States and they bring with them diverse backgrounds, fresh ideas, and a strong spirit of volunteerism. They are paired with local CSOs and SEs selected for their deep knowledge of local challenges and their ability to help guide the youth-led projects on the ground.
Held from 20 to 23 July, the workshop brought together passionate young changemakers and their paired CSOs/SEs to finalise 10 community-based projects that will soon be implemented in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the newest country to join the programme. Building on online learning, the four-day regional gathering serves as a crucial space for participants to refine their community projects, learn from experts and alumni, and strengthen their collaboration skills, laying the groundwork for meaningful and lasting impact in the communities they are set to work in.
In his opening remarks, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation said “Maybank through the eYAA programme in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation, remains steadfast to drive social empowerment by enabling young changemakers to create real impact, foster unity across cultures and build a more inclusive and resilient ASEAN community. We firmly believe that when given the right tools to succeed, our youth can be a constructive force for development. The power of youth lies not only in doing something great but also in uncovering their full potential and courage, enabling them to achieve meaningful things for the future.”
“We are incredibly excited to continue this journey with Maybank Foundation,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation. “This programme reminds us that youth are not just future leaders—they are leading change today. Through eYAA, we are taking real steps toward achieving the ASEAN Community Vision 2045—a region where youth are at the centre of building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient Southeast Asia.”
The 10 community-based projects are designed to reflect local needs within the selected ASEAN countries and fall under four key focus areas: community building, arts and culture, environmental diversity, and education. Each team will receive up to USD 25,000 in grant support, and the local CSOs and SEs will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the projects.
As part of Cohort 5, youth volunteers will support the “Paaralang Bukas Kalikasan” project by Curma Group Inc. in La Union, the Philippines. The program seeks to strengthen environmental literacy and nurture a culture of sustainable marine conservation in coastal communities. In areas where many families face limited access to information and resources for marine protection, communities continue to grapple with challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and waste management. This initiative transforms local beaches and schools into experiential learning spaces, engaging students, teachers, and community members in real-world environmental education. Implemented across key locations, including the CURMA Center and five public high schools, the project directly benefits 50 youth ambassadors and over 1,000 individuals, while reaching an additional 2,000 members of the surrounding indigenous coastal communities. Through this holistic approach, the programme empowers local youth as environmental stewards and inspires community-led action to protect and sustain the region’s marine ecosystems.
Another initiative, the “Project Digital Horizon” by Espoir School of Life Inc., is being implemented in Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte. This forward-looking initiative brings solar-powered educational technology to local schools through the establishment of E-Libraries, providing learners with access to a diverse collection of digital books, interactive learning modules, and AI-assisted literacy programs. By enhancing access to quality learning tools and supporting educators with modern resources, the project aims to complement existing teaching practices and promote more inclusive education. It directly benefits 300 learners, 20 teachers, 10 youth volunteers, and 200 community members across key sites such as Barangay Jamoyaon and Barangay San Jose Day Care Center. An estimated 700 others, including families of learners and surrounding residents, are expected to benefit indirectly. By combining renewable energy with digital innovation, “Project Digital Horizon” contributes to expanding learning opportunities and fostering educational equity in remote communities.
The Regional Capacity Building Workshop of eYAA: Cohort 5 was attended by H.E. Dr. Lalivan Karnchanachari, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; Assistant Professor Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep, Executive Director of ASEAN Studies Centre; H.E. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC); H.E. Amb. Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Foundation and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN; H.E. Amb. Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN; H.E. Amb. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN; Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation; Datuk R. Karunakaran, Board of Trustees, Maybank; Puan Mazhatulshima Mohd Zahid, Group Chief Human Capital Officer, Maybank; Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Maybank; Izlyn Ramli, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Foundation; Surin Segar, Head, Group Tax and CFO Maybank Foundation; Dr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, Chairman, Maybank Securities Thailand; Henry Koh Swee Ong, Chief Operating Officer, Maybank Securities Thailand; and Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation.
Following the workshop, the youth volunteers will head to their assigned project sites—ten communities across six ASEAN countries. Over the course of two weeks, they will live and work alongside local communities, co-developing solutions and building lasting connections that strengthen ASEAN unity from the ground up.
Since its launch in 2018, the eYAA programme has empowered 382 youth volunteers, implemented 40 impactful community projects, and positively impacted more than 89,000 individuals across the region. Each year, the programme grows in reach and relevance, and with Viet Nam joining the list of project countries this year, eYAA continues to expand its footprint and deepen its impact where it’s needed most.
For instance, Zulfikar Dabby Anwar, an alumnus of Cohort 4, previously contributed to a waste management initiative during his service in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Today, he plays a leading role as one of the CSO representatives in a Cohort 5 project. His journey reflects the tangible impact of the eYAA programme in empowering youth to lead sustainable community development efforts, while fostering cross-border collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
At its core, eYAA is a people-centred initiative that directly contributes to the realisation of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, particularly in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN Community. By equipping young people with the tools, experience, and networks to lead change, the programme positions ASEAN youth as the main drivers in advancing sustainable development and strengthening regional solidarity.
This shared vision is made possible through the close partnership between the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank, through Maybank Foundation. By supporting eYAA, Maybank Foundation reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth, providing a meaningful platform for nurturing young leaders who are ready to address socio-economic and developmental challenges across the region. The initiative is also aligned with Maybank’s mission to humanise financial services and supports one of its four key sustainability commitments: improving the lives of two million households across ASEAN by 2025.