Deadline: May 12, 2026
Applications are open for the 2026 Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Young Leaders Summit Capacity Training. The ASEFYLS Capacity Training 2026 is a youth leadership programme focusing on ‘Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-centred Future’, with collaborative programme elements taking place from throughout June to November 2026.
The ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) is a Youth platform that builds a community of young people from Asia and Europe. It invites participants to join a learning journey to reflect on and develop their 1) self-leadership (you), 2) team leadership (we) and 3) societal leadership (all). ASEFYLS is designed to instill a spirit of curiosity, innovation, and intercultural understanding among young people, who can take over leadership roles and drive society forward through community engagement.
The ASEFYLS Capacity Training 2026 will focus on ‘Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-Centred Future’, where participants will strengthen their capacity and habit of using the future to inform the present by analysing trends and ‘weak signals’.
When & Where?
The ASEFYLS2026 programme consists of 2 programme elements, with an additional programme element for a selected number of participants:
- Online Training | 9 June – 30 July 2026 | Online
- Action Phase | August – November 2026 | In Local Communities
- NOTE: Based on engagement and commitment during the Training Phase, 40 participants will be selected to join: Asia-Europe Youth Leadership Training: Anticipatory Leadership in the Arctic | 23 – 29 August 2026 | Tromsø, Norway.
Benefits
- No registration or participation fee.
- ASEF covers all costs related to the Training, including certificates, accommodation, meals, and travel subsidies for the selected participants. [The estimated value of the Training is SGD 1,000 per person, which ASEF covers.]
- For the event in Asia-Europe Youth Leadership Training: Anticipatory Leadership in the Arctic in Norway, ASEF covers the cost of the 5-day training programme, accommodation, meals, plus a travel subsidy from your country of resident to Norway and back. [The estimated value of the Norway event is SGD 6,500 per person, which ASEF covers.]
Apply to participate and you will have the chance to:
- Learn: Explore the topic of ‘Anticipatory Leadership for a human-centred future’, and learn from leading institutions and thematic experts and high-level speakers
- Network: Meet like-minded youth from all across Asia & Europe and build up your network for future partnerships & collaborations
- Contribute to Grassroot Actions: Bring back your learnings to your local community and help create a larger impact of the programme and spread the knowledge of ‘Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-Centred Future’.
Eligibility
They are looking for motivated youth who are actively engaged in youth and student life and wish to develop their personal and professional skills to better lead in an uncertain future and who can contribute to the development of their local communities.
- Students and young professionals between 18-30 years
- Citizens of eligible Asian and European Countries*
- Playing a leading role in a Youth Organisation/Student Association (not exclusive to board members, executive committees)
- Excellent command of English (verbal and written)
Selection criteria:
When assessing the applications, ASEF and its partners will lay extra weight on the:
- Originality of the motivational statement and quality of written answers
- Demonstrated experience in societal leadership in a youth/student organisation/association, which could enrich the diversity of expertise and perspectives of the overall participant group
- Ability to create impact and multiplier
Application
For more information, visit ASEFYLS.
