US opens application for Asean content creators boot camp in Manila

The U.S. Embassy in Manila. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines – The United States on Wednesday opened the applications for its Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) media literacy and digital content creation workshop targeting emerging creatives from ASEAN-member states and Timor-Leste.

The Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators, a joint program by the US Embassy in the Philippines and Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative, will kick off with virtual sessions from April 5 to 6 and will be held in-person from May 28 to June 1.

The workshop will equip young content creators aged between 18 to 35 with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the present dynamic media environment.

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Interested participants may submit their applications by Jan. 31 through the following link: https://bit.ly/creatorsco-lab.

Experts in media, technology, and the academe will train participants on using their platforms to promote media and information literacy, creating engaging online content, and tapping the latest tools in brand development, audience engagement and analytics.

Participants will exchange ideas on issues such as disinformation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and collaborate with fellow emerging content creators from across Southeast Asia.

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The boot camp is open to citizens of ASEAN member-countries and Timor-Leste.

Applicants should have at least 1,000 followers on any social media platform and should have been actively creating online content for the past three months.

After the boot camp, participants will be eligible to apply for grants amounting to PHP224,000 (USD4,000) and mentoring support to implement new digital content projects.

Participants will also become a member of the US international exchange alumni network that will open them to unique opportunities, including grants and networking.

YSEALI is a US government program that strengthens leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia.