Are you passionate about the environment and ready to lead change in your community?
The ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) is back—and we’re looking for the next generation of youth leaders to join us!
This year’s theme, “Innovative Actions, Sustainable Progress” calls on young leaders to develop creative and impactful solutions to the region’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Thematic Focus
Your project should address at least one of the following areas:
- Marine plastic waste
- Plastic pollution
- Waste & wastewater management
- Circular economy for plastic
Project Scope
Applicants are encouraged to propose initiatives that include:
- Community engagement
- Awareness initiatives
- Enhancing capacity through networking and collaboration
Who Can Apply?
We’re seeking for:
- Self-driven youth aged 18-25 y/o.
- Team of 2-4
- Citizen of ASEAN member states or Japan
- Proficient in conversational English
- Exhibit a strong interest or background in environmental and social engagement work
Why Join Us?
- Receive seed money to bring your project ideas (aligned with the proposed themes) to life!
- Connect and collaborate with like-minded youth across ASEAN and Japan
- Receive guidance on implementing your environmental projects
- Build and enhance your leadership and management skills through professional training
- Make a tangible impact in your local community
Key Application Dates
- Application Start: 1 April 2025
- Application Deadline: 15 May 2025
- Announcement of shortlisted candidates: 5 June 2025
- Interview: 10-20 June 2025
- Announcement of selection: 30 June 2025
Program Timeline
- Online training (self-paced): 1-31 July 2025
- In-person leadership and project management training and launch of the fellows (in Jakarta, Indonesia)*: 11-13 August 2025
- Disbursement of seed money (50%): 30 August 2025
- Project implementation: September – December 2025
- Submission of impact and financial reports: 31 January 2026
- 3rd Capstone Symposium in the Philippines (TBC)*: March 2026
*Note: Selected applicants must be eligible to travel within ASEAN and must have valid passports (or visa if necessary) at the time of selection.
How to Apply & Required Documents
- To complete your application, please prepare the following documents:
- Scan of Passport or Citizenship Card (in English) for each member — PDF or image file
- Project Proposal — PDF format (use the official template here to structure your proposal)
- 1-minute Introduction Video — Group introduction, outlining your approach to addressing the problem in your community through the proposed project, in MP4 format with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Upload to a public platform (e.g., YouTube) and provide a shareable link.
- Register via link: https://bit.ly/join_AJYELN until 15 May 2025
Complete your application and don’t forget to submit all required documents!
This is more than a program—it’s a launchpad for young environmental leaders. If you’re ready to make a difference, this is your moment!
Begin your AJYELN journey today!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates and stories from our youth fellows.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network?
The ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN) is a network of young regional champions in combating the plastic pollution crisis selected from the 10 ASEAN Member States and Japan. Organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre, the network promotes youth-led solutions to the plastic pollution issue in the region.
To reaffirm our commitment to alleviating the plastic pollution crisis, this year, we open the opportunity to young people aged 18-25 (university students) in ASEAN and Japan to turn their ideas to tackle plastic pollution into reality.
Eleven (11) teams from the 10 ASEAN countries and Japan (one from each country) will each receive seed money to implement their innovative projects. The fellows will receive hands-on training in leadership and project management, in addition to opportunities to network with regional peers and professionals.
Through this program, we hope to nurture a generation of changemakers in ASEAN and Japan who will create a world uncontaminated by plastic pollutants.
2. What is the theme of the projects for 2025?
“Innovative Actions, Sustainable Progress”
3. Can the seed money be used to fund and implement a research activity relating to the topic?
Unfortunately, NO. This year, we are only focusing on environmental capacity building, community engagement, and awareness initiatives-related projects.
4. Who can apply to become the fellow of AJYELN?
Passionate and innovative teams (max. of 4 members) aged 18-25 years who meet the following criteria:
- A team of 2-4 members aged between 18-25 years
- Hold a citizenship of and currently residing in ASEAN member states or Japan
- Proficient in conversational English
- Exhibit a strong interest or background in environmental and social engagement work
5. Is this program only eligible for university students or should have an active university student status to apply for this program?
No, you do not need to be a university student or have an active student status to apply.
If you are between 18 to 25 years old, we welcome youth from all backgrounds—whether you’re a student, graduated, part of an organization, or pursuing a different path. Applicants from all sectors in ASEAN Member States and Japan are encouraged to join.
6. What are the benefits of becoming a fellow of AJYELN?
Selected teams will be awarded seed money (maximum of 100,000JPY) to implement environmental projects addressing the plastic pollution issue in their respective communities. They will also have the opportunity to connect with young leaders in the region and receive training in leadership and project management. Throughout the program, you’ll receive guidance to effectively implement your environmental projects.
7. What are the application requirements?
Applicants are requested to submit the following in English through the online application form (https://bit.ly/join_AJYELN):
- Group Information (fill out the form)
- Scan of Passport or Citizenship Card (in English) for each member — PDF or image file
- Team profile – highlighting commitment, past environment-related activities (Part 1 of AJYELN 2025 Application form)
- Project Proposal (download the official template here)
- 1-minute video (Group introduction, outlining your approach to addressing the problem in your community through the proposed project, in MP4 format with a 16:9 aspect ratio). Upload in Youtube, set it to Public view and share the link in the form.
The proposed project should be centered on community-driven efforts and incorporate at least one of the following aspects:
- Community Impact: Your project should actively contribute to improving the well-being of both people and the environment.
- Awareness Campaigns: Contribute to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices.
- Enhancing capacity through networking and collaboration: Foster community capacity building to drive action on environmental concerns.
8. What are the selection criteria?
One team from each ASEAN country and Japan will be selected based on the following criteria (100 points in total):
- Motivation & Experience – 20%
- Project feasibility – 30%
- Creating a significant impact – 30%
- Creativity and innovation – 20%
9. What is the timeline of the program?
- 1 April 2025: Application start
- 27 April 2025: Information session (English | TBC)
- 2 May 2025: Information session (English | TBC)
- 7 May 2025: Information session (English | TBC)
- 15 May 2025: Application deadline
- 5 June 2025: Announcement of shortlisted candidates for interview
- 10-20 June 2025: Interview
- 30 June 2025: Announcement of final selection
- 1-31 July 2025: Online training (self-paced)
- 11-13 August 2025: In-person leadership and project management training and launch of the fellows (in Jakarta, Indonesia)
- 30 August 2025: Disbursement of seed money (50%)
- September-December 2025: Implementation of the projects
- 31 January 2026: Completion and submission of financial and impact reports
- March 2026: Participation in the 3rd AJYELN Symposium in the Philippines (TBC)
10. If selected, is it necessary to commit to the program requirements and activities?
Yes, all selected applicants will be expected to complete the program requirements and commit to the timeline of the program.
11. How to apply?
Register via: https://bit.ly/join_AJYELN until 15 May 2025.
12. Who to contact for questions?
Nurlatifah
Project Coordinator of ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN)
ASEAN-Japan Centre
