CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

28 April 2026

Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue Regional Youth Training on Environmental Protection

Dialogue in Action: Strengthening Youth Leadership for Climate Action in Southeast Asia

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Are you a young person who is ready to take action?
Are you passionate about building a more cohesive society?

Do you have a vision for a more sustainable Southeast Asia?

About the Programme

Environmental degradation and climate change are intensifying social, economic, and intercommunal pressures, particularly in Southeast Asia, where climate impacts are increasingly affecting all sectors of society. As young people make up a significant proportion of the region’s population, there is a growing need for youth-led, culturally grounded, and faith-sensitive approaches to environmental protection and climate action.

The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), in collaboration with the Institute of Buddhist Management for Happiness and Peace Foundation (IBHAP) and partnership with Caravanserai Collective (CERITA Caravan), invites young advocates, influencers, peacebuilders, and storytellers from ASEAN member states to apply for a regional youth training programme on interreligious and intercultural dialogue (IRD/ICD), with the aim to strengthen youth leadership for climate action and environmental protection through engagement with religious and faith-based organisations.

This six-month programme, running from June to December 2026, will bring together participants from across Southeast Asia, providing in-person and hybrid training on youth leadership capacities in using IRD/ICD as an approach to environmental sustainability and climate action, particularly through engagement with religious and faith-based institutions.

The programme adopts a highly participatory and practice-oriented approach. It combines structured learning and real-world application through:

capacity-building sessions on KAICIID’s IRD/ICD framework, delivered both in-person and online
mentorship from inspiring youth leaders from across Southeast Asia, previously trained on Dialogue and Storytelling;
learning how to tell the story and engage in dialogue and story-based design sprint;
increased knowledge of regional climate challenges and local solutions;
peer-to-peer learning and intercultural exchange;
collaborative design of initiatives with religious leaders and institutions; and
implementation of community-based projects supported by micro-grants.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

Must have experience and/or interest in the protection of environment-related programmes and initiatives.
Must be a citizen of an ASEAN Member State (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or Timor-Leste).
Must be aged 20 to 35 years old at the time of application.
Affiliated with a religious or faith-based leader, institution, group, or organization in their local community.
Must be available to attend all programme activities, including in-person (9-15 June in Bangkok) and online sessions from July to December 2026.
Must be able to communicate effectively in English; knowledge of other Southeast Asian languages is an advantage.
Must have basic knowledge of project or programme implementation, including monitoring and evaluation, documentation, and reporting.

Preferred, but not required:

Experience in designing, implementing, or supporting projects that address environmental challenges, promote sustainability, or engage communities in climate action is highly valued.
A strong understanding of current climate issues, along with the ability to communicate these effectively across diverse audiences, will be an advantage.

Application Requirements

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents via e-mail to

perry.lamanilao@kaiciid.org using the e-mail subject "Youth Training_(Your Country)_(Your

Last Name)".

Please prepare and attach the following documents:

Letter of Intent, addressed to:
Project Idea for Climate Action
Updated CV/Resumé (maximum of 2 pages)

The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID)
Asia Programme

Important: The letter should clearly outline the motivation, relevant experience, qualifications, and engagement with religious or faith-based group/s and/or institution/s.

A brief project idea to be implemented between July and December 2026, using the

provided template.

Download the template here

Note: We understand that this is an initial proposal; your project idea will likely grow and develop during the training programme.

Note: Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information or supporting

documents, such as a recommendation letter from their affiliated religious or faith-based organisation, identification documents, etc. Only applications with complete submission of all required documents will be processed and reviewed.

Timeline and Key Dates

Please take note of the following schedule, which outlines the key dates and milestones of the programme. This timeline is designed to guide your participation and ensure that all activities are completed in a timely and coordinated manner, so we encourage you to review it carefully and plan your commitments accordingly.

Activities*	Dates
Call for Applications Opens	24 April 2026
Application Deadline	3 May 2026
Notification of Results	8 May 2026
Online Orientation Session	14 May 2026
In-person Training in Bangkok City, Thailand	9-15 June 2026 (inclusive of travel time)
Hybrid capacity-building sessions, project implementation and mentoring	July-November 2026
Final Presentations, Reporting, and Programme Completion	Early December 2026
* Please note that these schedules are subject to change and may be adjusted as necessary based on programme needs and logistical considerations. Additional activities may be scheduled throughout the programme, and you may be requested to participate. Organisers and partners will communicate these in advance once the schedule and relevant details are confirmed, if any.

Programme Support and Conditions

This programme is a voluntary engagement and does not provide remuneration, professional fees, or allowances. However, it offers a valuable platform for learning, regional engagement, and professional development, while contributing to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability in the Southeast Asian region.

For the in-person training, organisers will cover:

international and local transportation (where applicable);
accommodation;
meals during the training period; and
other training materials

Successful participants will receive a micro-grant to support the implementation of their approved project, in coordination with KAICIID, CERITA Caravan, IBHAP, assigned mentors, and their affiliated religious or faith-based organisation.
Participants are expected to actively engage in all components and activities of the programme, including:

regular mentoring sessions
online/hybrid check-ins and capacity-building activities
good and respectful communication with mentors and project co-implementing partner/s
submission of progress updates and final reports

Contact Information

For further information, questions, or clarification, please contact the KAICIID Asia Programme Team through email at arijana.aganovic@kaiciid.org.

Data Privacy

By submitting your application, you consent to the collection, use, and storage of your personal information by KAICIID and its partners for this programme for the purpose of processing your application, assessing eligibility, and communicating relevant updates regarding the programme. Your information will be treated with strict confidentiality and will not be shared with third parties without your prior consent, except as required by law. You have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting KAICIID.

REDI Commitment

We are committed to Respect, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI). We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and expect participants to engage respectfully and inclusively.