As Southeast Asia navigates challenges of persisting conflicts, climate change and environmental degradation, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with KRIS, is proud to announce the launch of a transformative three-year programme in partnership with Temasek Foundation, Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, and the Diana Koh Fund administered by Asia Community Foundation.

Over three years, Champions for Peace will engage young people across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, equipping them with the tools and resources needed to drive meaningful impact in their communities.

“…it is young people’s hope and energy, their enthusiasm and willingness to experiment, that makes society move forward.”  – Kofi Annan 

Photo credit: Kofi Annan Foundation/Shutterstock.com

A Vision for Youth-Led Change

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to fostering youth-led solutions to some of Southeast Asia’s most pressing challenges. Climate change and social conflict are deeply intertwined in the region, with environmental degradation often exacerbating existing social tensions. Rural communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture, are among the most vulnerable. 

Despite bearing the brunt of these challenges, young people may not be actively involved in decision-making processes. The Champions for Peace programme aims to change that narrative by positioning young leaders from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds as key agents of change.

“Temasek Foundation is delighted to work with the Kofi Annan Foundation to foster social cohesion and harmony across Southeast Asia. This partnership enables us to support young changemakers who are making a difference in their communities. We are excited about the many youth-led projects and solutions that will be developed from this Champions for Peace programme and look forward to supporting the positive impact they will bring both locally and regionally.” – Ng Boon Heong, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Foundation

Kicking Off in the Philippines 

The pilot programme will kick off in the Philippines. A comprehensive baseline study will be conducted to map out the specific challenges faced by local communities. This will inform the development of tailored training materials, which will be used to empower 100 young Filipinos from different communities. These individuals will receive in-depth training on addressing social and environmental fragilities and will have the opportunity to implement their own community-led initiatives with support from seed grants.

Outreach Across the Region

Following the first steps in the Philippines, the initiative will expand to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Each country will train 100 young leaders using a cascading approach that ensures the programme’s reach extends deep into local communities. Selected initiatives will again be supported with seed grants, helping to foster social cohesion and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Photo credit: Kofi Annan Foundation/Shutterstock.com

We will partner with youth-led organisations across the five countries to create a vibrant regional platform for ongoing learning and collaboration. Regular online meetings and a regional workshop in Singapore will bring together young leaders to share experiences, strategise, and participate in exposure visits to successful social cohesion initiatives.

“Through my journey of giving, I recognise that communities in Asia face very complex challenges, and youth have the potential to make a big difference if given the opportunity. I am delighted to participate in the Champions for Peace programme to empower young leaders in Southeast Asia to come together, learn from each other, and contribute positively in their communities. I hope that by supporting these initiatives, we can help not just make a difference today but set the stage for lasting change.” – Janet Lim, Executor of the Diana Koh Fund

Inspiring Action

Beyond direct training, the programme is designed to amplify positive impact through a comprehensive awareness campaign, reaching at least 1 million people across the region. By raising public consciousness about the importance of building peaceful, cohesive, and sustainable societies, the campaign will inspire broader community engagement and support for youth-led initiatives.

“At Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance, our mission is to harness the strategic value of private philanthropy to support and inspire the next generation of peacemakers. We are, therefore, delighted to be a partner of the Champions for Peace programme alongside our fellow Singaporean philanthropists. This programme offers a unique platform for our young Asian peacemakers to contribute meaningfully towards building a more peaceful Southeast Asia.” 
– John Nagulendran, Co-Founder, Nagulendran Philanthropy Alliance

In addition, the initiative will include online workshops and regional conferences, providing platforms for young leaders to disseminate their findings, share experiences, and advocate for youth-inclusive policies. These activities will culminate in a showcase of young changemakers’ voices from young changemakers, where participants will share their work with a global audience.

Photo credit: Kofi Annan Foundation/Shutterstock.com

Building a Legacy of Lasting Impact

By training a core group of 650 young leaders across the region, the programme will build a foundation of skills in social cohesion and harmony, sustainable development, leadership, and advocacy. These young leaders will carry forward the lessons learned, applying them in their ongoing work and inspiring others to do the same.

“In Filipino, we have a word called “bayanihan” derived from the word “bayani” which means “hero”. Roughly, bayanihan describes the process of being heroes together, and that is what we want to achieve with this programme – a regional bayanihan made up of young Southeast Asians working towards social cohesion and collective upliftment.” – Arizza Nocum, Founder, KRIS

The programme’s research findings and training materials will remain available to local youth organisations, ensuring the continued transfer of knowledge and skills. Moreover, the recommendations generated through this initiative will provide innovative solutions for national, regional, and international stakeholders, offering a blueprint for elevating the role of young leaders in addressing the intertwined challenges of social and environmental fragility.

“It is a privilege to collaborate with such dedicated partners on building bridges between youth from various communities and promoting harmony in Southeast Asia. Engaging closely with the youth from the region, who are acutely vulnerable to conflicts, climate change and loss of livelihoods, is especially crucial.”  – Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation

Discover more about Champions for Peace