ASEFYLS Capacity Training 2026 for Asia-Europe Young Leaders
Organization: Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
Program: ASEFYLS Capacity Training 2026
Theme: Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-Centred Future
Programme Period: June – November 2026
Eligibility: Students and young professionals aged 18–30
Deadline: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
The ASEFYLS Capacity Training 2026 is a youth leadership programme that brings together young people from Asia and Europe. The 2026 edition focuses on “Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-Centred Future” and invites participants to strengthen their ability to use the future to inform the present by analysing trends and weak signals.
Program Overview
ASEFYLS is a youth platform that builds a community of young people from Asia and Europe. It invites participants to reflect on and develop self-leadership, team leadership, and societal leadership. The programme is designed to encourage curiosity, innovation, and intercultural understanding among young people who can take on leadership roles and contribute to their communities.
For 2026, the programme includes collaborative elements running from June to November. It combines learning, networking, and local action, while also offering an additional in-person opportunity for a selected group of participants.
What Participants Will Gain
✓ Learning on the theme of anticipatory leadership for a human-centred future
✓ Opportunities to learn from leading institutions, thematic experts, and high-level speakers
✓ Networking with like-minded youth from across Asia and Europe
✓ A chance to bring learnings back to local communities and contribute to grassroots action
Programme Structure
The programme consists of two main elements, with one additional opportunity for selected participants.
Training Phase
The Training Phase takes place online from 9 June to 30 July 2026. During this period, participants will explore anticipatory leadership styles, systems thinking in different contexts, and the use of anticipatory frameworks in organisations. They will also build their understanding of strategic foresight, horizon scanning, and how new technologies like AI are influencing ethical, inclusive, and sustainable principles in support of human-centred leadership.
Action Phase
The Action Phase runs from August to November 2026 in local communities. During this stage, participants are expected to translate theory into action by organising multiplier events in their communities.
Additional Opportunity for Selected Participants
Based on engagement and commitment during the Training Phase, 40 participants will be selected to join the Asia-Europe Youth Leadership Training: Anticipatory Leadership in the Arctic. This in-person training will take place in Tromsø, Norway, from 23 to 29 August 2026. It is organised in partnership with the Arctic University of Tromsø and under the European Youth Capital 2026: “True North – Tromsø 2026.”
Eligibility Criteria
• Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible Asian and European countries
• Applicants must be students or young professionals between 18 and 30 years old
• Applicants must play a leading role in a youth organisation or student association
• Applicants must have an excellent command of English, both verbal and written
The source also states that motivation to participate, experience in community and societal leadership, and the ability to create impact and multiplier effect in local communities will be considered during selection.
Deadline and Additional Info
The application deadline is Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The page also mentions a FAQ webinar scheduled for Tuesday, 21 April 2026 for those who want more details about the programme and the application process.
