YSEALI National Council and U.S. Embassy Empower 250 Youth Leaders Across the Philippines through AMPLIFY 9.0

The YSEALI Philippines—AMPLIFY National Council, with the vital support of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, has successfully concluded AMPLIFY 9.0, a year-long initiative that drove significant social impact through youth-led innovation. As the primary implementing partner, the Women’s Alliance for Security and Peace (WASP) Asia facilitated the execution of this program, which was designed to address pressing community challenges across the archipelago.

AMPLIFY 9.0 marked a historic milestone as the first cohort to adopt a collaborative "Island Hub" structure. This strategic shift, led by the National Council, transitioned from individual hubs to regional clusters in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, fostering deeper camaraderie and more streamlined coordination for large-scale community initiatives.

Measurable Impacts Across the Philippines The program implemented six major projects across the three island regions between September and December 2025, reaching a total of 250 direct participants.

Luzon (Makati, Sorsogon, and Quezon City): Reaching 150 participants, initiatives like "Innovation Spotlight" and "Youth for ChAInge" leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to equip young innovators with the tools to solve real-world community problems.

Visayas (Cebu): The "VisAIyas" project empowered 45 youth leaders to drive local economic growth by enhancing digital skills in agri-tourism and storytelling.

Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro): Through the "RISE Mindanao" program, 25 entrepreneurs from conflict-affected areas received intensive capacity-building to bridge digital gaps and foster inclusive economic growth.

Nationwide (YOUnified - Davao City): A specialized "Training of Trainers" program equipped 30 youth leaders with essential cybersecurity knowledge, empowering them to champion digital safety within their own provincial communities.

A Journey of Leadership and Capacity Building The project's success was rooted in a rigorous preparation phase directed by the YSEALI National Council.

Following months of online capacity-building in project management and technical pitching, council members participated in a three-day onsite workshop in Dumaguete City in August 2025. During this workshop, supported by local partners like Foundation University, members refined their proposals through community immersions and experiential learning sessions at Silliman University.

"AMPLIFY 9.0 demonstrated the extraordinary potential of YSEALI alumni when they are given the platform to lead," noted the program’s organizers. By focusing on U.S.-Philippines priority themes such as Peace & Security and Economic Empowerment, the National Council has built a resilient network of leaders ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

About the Partners:

YSEALI: A U.S. government program that strengthens leadership development and networking among young leaders in Southeast Asia.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines: Provides funding and strategic support for initiatives that nurture young leaders and support innovative community growth.

WASP Asia: The implementing partner for AMPLIFY 9.0, WASP Asia is a SEC-registered organization dedicated to promoting peace, security, and gender equality.