U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka launches the Young South Asian Leaders Initiative (YSALI) Program

YSALI Network Goal 

• YSALI will become a powerful network to advance the vision of a connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific by connecting and empowering promising young leaders through the region to tackle shared challenges.

YSALI Network Objectives

• To connect like-minded young leaders across the region, through participatory workshops and subsequent collaboration across the region via a small grants program.
• To sustain connections through the creation of a virtual network of emerging leaders.
• To deepen participants’ understanding of current issues and opportunities and equip young leaders with the confidence and skills to address regional challenges.
• To instill a shared sense of place and identity within the larger Indo-Pacific community.
• The concepts of leadership, giving back to the community, and strengthening a sense of identify and place within the broader Indo-Pacific based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program.
• To build leadership capacity among cohort members, and foster the spirit of community service, while increasing understanding of the United States and the South Asia region, to address common goals.

Funding Information

• Approximate Total Funding: $1,800,000
• Maximum “Ceiling” of Award: $2,000,000
• Minimum “Floor” of Award: $1,500,000
• Anticipated Project Completion Date: February 28, 2027. This date reflects the anticipated duration of the award – 30 months
• Approximate Number of Awards: One award
• Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2024

Program Specific Guidelines 

• SCA and posts will be responsible for building the membership base and connecting members. The recipient will design high-quality workshops in the United States and South Asia in years one and two for YSALI members as follows:
• In its first year, the YSALI program will consist of one U.S.-based workshop and two workshops in SCA YSALI countries on strategic topics. In year two, it will consist of two overseas regional workshops pending availability of funds. The implementing partner should develop a budget and plan for all five workshops. The implementer should plan for double-occupancy accommodations for workshop participants.
• The inaugural regional workshop will advance the YSALI theme of regional climate resilience. The 2025 YSALI Regional Workshop will bring together 80- 100 YSALI members who have demonstrated leadership skills and are committed to climate resilience. The recipient will then further refine the topic in consultation with Embassy Colombo and the YSALI team. Through interactive presentations, case studies, site visits, and activities, participants will explore and implement short- and long-term solutions to addressing climate change and environmental issues in the context of a regionalized and globalized society. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with community and non-profit organization leaders working on environmental issues.
• The proposal should include workshop follow-on activities to be supported by the grantee such as virtual collaborative work, projects funded through small seed grants, or ongoing mentorship to help foster connections among and action by the YSALI members. The follow-on activities should be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan and the budget.
• The proposal should include a pre- and post-workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic.
• The concepts of leadership, giving back to the community, and strengthening a sense of place within the broader Indo-Pacific based on shared values and shared challenges should be integrated into the program. Consideration to integrating diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility should be made throughout the program, from participant recruitment to follow[1]on activities. Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States or a South Asian/YSALI country.
• The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials, using the YSALI logo provided by the State Department. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program.
• Expected Activities – Year One 
  • The recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc. As part of YSALI workshops, the recipient must draft and share with the Department a proposed participant agreement for travel to include behavioral expectations, communication protocols in case of emergencies, and understanding of the consequences should they choose not to follow program guidelines. The recipient must be prepared to manage medical emergencies, involuntary returns due to violation of program policies, and other potential travel anomalies.
    • Regional Workshop 1 – Regional Climate Resilience a. 
      • Location: The first regional workshop shall be held in Sri Lanka in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Colombo. Should hosting not be possible in Sri Lanka due to extenuating circumstances, the recipient should hold the workshop in Bangladesh, Maldives, or Nepal, depending on cost, safety or other factors. For purposes of this solicitation, the recipient should plan for Sri Lanka.
      • Participants: The YSALI Regional Workshop on Climate Resilience will bring together 80- 100 YSALI members who have a stated interest in mitigating climate vulnerabilities.
      • Format: This will be a 3-5 day workshop in Sri Lanka.
    • Regional Workshop 2 – Civic Engagement 
      • Location: The second regional workshop shall be held in one of the participating YSALI countries, determined in consultation with the YSALI coordinator.
      • Participants: The YSALI Regional Workshop on Civic Engagement for Good Governance will bring together 80-100 YSALI members who have a stated interest in promoting civic participation, good governance, and transparency and accountability in government.
      • Format: This will be a 3-5 day workshop in the region.
    • U.S. Workshop – Leadership and American Democracy 
      • Location: The first week should be held in a medium-sized city on the campus of (or in close proximity to) a U.S. university or college campus. The second week should be held in Washington, DC. b.
      • Participants: This will be a 14-day workshop, inclusive of international travel, for 80 participants. Before the workshop, the recipient shall host a half-day orientation during an SCA-friendly time zone to allow for initial networking and any pre-work. c.
      • Format: The focus of the first week should be leadership and networking. Curriculum elements should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises that include aspects of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, and management skills. Participants should be introduced to and engage with U.S. academics, students, and university administration on campus, including International Student Services.
    • The focus of the second week should be on the contemporary American political and media landscape, plus U.S. culture and shared values. The goal is to reinforce the power of shared democratic values, provide a first-hand look at the U.S. political process and the role of civil society, and enhance people-to-people ties between young South Asians and Americans. Participants should learn about the essential elements of contemporary American life, in particular leadership, civil society, community engagement, and politics and how these elements inter-relate.
    • Small Grants Program 
      • For the workshop’s finale, participants may compete for small grants to implement projects and/or campaigns to promote civic participation, transparency, and accountability in government. The recipient is responsible for administering the small grants program, including disbursing funds and monitoring grant activities. A follow-on activity may also be implemented after the program to report on project successes and challenges and produce a toolkit with best practices on cross-border collaboration.
• Expected Activities – Year Two
  • The recipient should plan to repeat the two regional workshops overseas. The regional workshop on climate resilience should focus on another sub-theme and the workshop should be planned for Bangladesh, Maldives, or Nepal.
  • The second workshop can either be held at the same location as the workshop in year one or another location, based on lessons learned in year one, costs, and other factors. The recipient should focus on a sub-theme under the democracy banner based on consultations with SCA and U.S. Embassy Colombo.

Recipient Responsibilities 

• The award recipient is responsible for the design, implementation, and monitoring of the workshops. Proposals must provide a detailed and comprehensive narrative describing overarching workshop objectives. Proposals will also include descriptions of pre-departure preparation and logistics; administrative details and a staffing plan; plans for monitoring and evaluation; incorporation of a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) framework into all aspects of the program; media and outreach plans; and budget and budget narrative. In addition, the proposal will include a summary of the applicant’s thematic experience and expertise.
• The award recipient will be responsible for arranging and using cooperative agreement funds to cover all elements related to participant and staff travel including international and domestic flights, visas, travel to and from airports, visas, accommodations, per diem, meals during the program, insurance, etc.
• The proposal should include a pre- and post-workshop survey to measure the overall effectiveness of the workshop as well as any changes to the participants’ knowledge of the workshop topic.
• Consideration to integrating diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility should be made throughout the program, from recruiting participants to leading the follow-on activities. Workshop speakers/facilitators/mentors should be citizens of the United States or a South Asian/YSALI country.
• The recipient is expected to develop syllabus materials and an event program with participant and speaker biographies, as well as design banners, backdrops, and other printed materials. The recipient is expected to design a digital engagement strategy for workshop participants and social media audiences, including live video or live online engagement during the program.

Project Audience 

• Participants will be undergraduate students, recent graduates, or young professionals aged 18- 30 from the seven countries in South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Mission India will manage the YSALI membership for Bhutan. All programs will be conducted in English and all participants must be able to understand and communicate in English. As needed, the implementer will be required to provide accommodations for Deaf, hard of hearing, and/or visually impaired participants to ensure they are ability to fully participate in workshops.
• For each individual workshop, the recipient will coordinate with the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Embassy Colombo, and the other U.S. embassies in South Asia to recruit and select 80-100 participants from among the pool of YSALI members. For the regional climate resilience workshop, participants should have demonstrated strong community leadership skills, and the drive to make impactful change in their communities. For the civic engagement workshop, participants should have a demonstrated commitment to develop and sustain community projects, and the initiative to promote civic participation and good governance. Participants may not participate in both workshops; each will have a unique cohort of 80-100 participants.

Eligibility Criteria

• U.S. public and private academic and cultural institutions, exchange-of-persons, and other not-for-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit applications for this competition. Applicants must have nonprofit status with the IRS at the time of application and maintain active status through the life of the award.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.