Thailand

The purpose of the Youth Action Fund is to identify, inspire, and support small groups of dedicated young people who can mobilize and influence large numbers of their peers to promote open society ideals. The Open Society Institute created this fund as a flexible way to provide small grants and other support to encourage progressive, youth-driven initiatives that are aligned with OSI's mission.

Youth Action Fund Thailand gives small grants to youth-driven projects that are related to the use of new media which encompasses digital, computerized, mobile, and networked information and communication technologies, to address the following issues: 

• Alternative/new media development
• Access to justice for vulnerable groups
• Citizen education on rights and responsibilities
• Monitoring government's records on human rights and democracy
• Advocacy for the rights of citizens to participate in government decision  making processes

Eligibility

• Applicants must currently reside in Thailand.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 15-29.
• Youth may partner with a local NGO, but OSI will not accept proposals from NGOs on behalf of youth.

Ineligible Projects

• Travel grants or fees for individuals to attend conferences, workshops, etc.
• Additional degrees, courses, or certificates for an individual
• Organizations or adults applying for grants on behalf of youth

To Apply

Please see the YAF Thailand Info Kit below for instructions, or contact Alisa Keetanitinun with questions.

Deadline

New applicants may apply each year in April.  The first round applicants must submit a concept paper, which is due from April 15 - May 31.

Funding Decisions

Grant applications will be reviewed by staff at OSI-Budapest. In cases where minor changes are needed or any part of the application is unclear, applicants may be asked to resubmit.

Complete applications will be forwarded to a three-person panel made up of one representative from the applicant's home country, one representative of the OSI Youth Initiative, and one representative of OSI-Budapest. The panel must unanimously approve the grant for the candidate to receive funding. Proposals can be nominated for partial funding, in which case the panel will state items for funding.

Grants will not be renewable. However, successful projects may be eligible for additional funding through other initiatives of the Soros foundations network. It is expected that some of the projects may have an entrepreneurial component that could allow them to become self-sustaining.

Contact Information

Chirada Na Suwan
Telephone:  +66 (0 )82-7660412
chirada.nasuwan@gmail.com