Deadline: September 7, 2025
Are you a young changemaker in Asia ready to make a real difference? The Hack the Future 2025: Young Leaders for Asia Challenge is now open for applications, offering youth leaders a unique platform to showcase innovative solutions that bridge the digital divide and drive inclusive social change.
Organised by Siklab in celebration of International Youth Day, this programme empowers youth-led teams to create actionable projects that connect communities, promote digital inclusion, and foster meaningful collaborations across Asia.
About Hack the Future 2025: Young Leaders for Asia Challenge
The theme for this year’s challenge is:
“Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Youth for Connected Action and Inclusive Change.”
Selected youth-led teams will not only receive seed funding and mentorship but also gain international exposure by pitching their projects at the prestigious International Civil Society Week (ICSW) summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
Application Deadline
- Applications close on September 7, 2025.
Make sure to prepare your documents and submit your application before the deadline.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to youth-led teams that meet the following criteria:
- Teams must consist of 2–5 members.
- Each member should be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Applicants must be citizens or residents of ODA-recipient countries in Asia, including:
- China
- Mongolia
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Timor-Leste
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
Benefits of Participation
Winning teams will enjoy a wide range of opportunities, including:
- Seed Funding: USD $10,000 for each of the four winning teams.
- Mentorship: A 4-part virtual mentorship series to refine and strengthen project ideas.
- Global Exposure: A fully funded trip for two team members to pitch at the International Civil Society Week Summit in Bangkok, Thailand (November 1–5, 2025).
- Networking: Access to a diverse network of fellow youth leaders and changemakers across Asia.
Selection Process
The selection process ensures that only the most impactful and feasible projects are supported:
- Shortlisting: Six (6) teams will be shortlisted based on their applications to participate in virtual masterclasses on digital inclusion and social impact.
- Pitching: Two members from each shortlisted team will travel to Bangkok for the ICSW summit to pitch their project before an expert panel.
- Winners: Four (4) teams will be selected to receive seed funding and mentorship, judged on innovation, feasibility, impact potential, and team composition.
Application Requirements
To apply for Hack the Future 2025: Young Leaders for Asia Challenge, teams must submit the following:
- Completed application form.
- Valid passports of the team leader and one additional team member.
- CVs (2–3 pages) of each team member.
- A 150-word team introduction.
- A 300-word project concept note.
- A 4-minute pre-recorded pitch video.
Quick Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 7, 2025 |
| Eligible Teams | 2–5 members, ages 18–35, from specified Asian ODA countries |
| Theme | Bridging the Digital Divide: Inclusive Youth Innovation |
| Benefits | $10,000 seed funding (4 teams), mentorship, funded trip to Bangkok summit |
| Final Pitch Location | ICSW Summit, Bangkok, Thailand (November 1–5, 2025) |
| Selection Process | 6 shortlisted teams → 4 winners through pitching and evaluation |
How to Apply
Think your team has what it takes to bridge the digital divide? This is your chance to bring your ideas to life and create lasting change.
👉 Click here to apply
👉 Read more about the programme
💡 Need help preparing your application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review support to boost your chances of success.
