Asia 21 Challenge Project | Asia Society

Asia 21 Challenge Project

Asia 21 Challenge Project

Rationale

The Asia 21 Challenge Projects serve as a key initiative for the incoming cohort of Fellows, enabling them to collaborate on projects of mutual interest that address shared challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

These projects provide a unique opportunity for Fellows to strengthen the bonds established at the annual summit, gain deeper insights into each other’s work, and explore innovative ways to leverage the Asia 21 network for collective impact. By dedicating their fellowship year to tangible, results-driven initiatives, Fellows contribute meaningfully to the region’s development.

Fellows are highly encouraged to propose project topics that align with their expertise and interests while leveraging the complementary skill sets of their peers. Project leaders are responsible for forming their teams based on shared passion and the skills required to execute the project effectively. There are no restrictions on group size, allowing for flexibility to accommodate the project’s scope and objectives.

To formalize their efforts, project leaders submit a Project Management Plan to the Asia 21 Team for review and approval. The plan should outline clear goals and objectives, a structured timeline, required resources, and a detailed execution strategy.

Outcomes

The Asia 21 Challenge Projects enable Fellows to:

  1. Come together as a group and leverage their entrepreneurial spirit, socially driven mindset, and collective expertise to address issues of impact.
  2. Develop innovative and practical solutions to shared regional challenges.
  3. Collaborate with the wider Asia 21 network to amplify their impact.
  4. Engage next-generation leaders in meaningful, solutions-oriented work.
  5. Advance Asia Society’s mission to navigate shared futures for Asia and the world across policy, business, arts and culture, education, sustainability, and technology.

By fostering dynamic collaboration and impactful action, the Challenge Projects serve as a catalyst for leadership, innovation, and a platform to unlock Asia 21's collective knowledge and expertise.

Timeline

February–March 31, 2025: Open Call for Project Proposals

  • The Asia 21 team will issue an open call inviting Fellows of the 2024 cohort to propose project ideas.
  • Fellows interested in leading a project will submit a Project Proposal outlining the challenge they aim to address, proposed solutions, and the type of expertise or skills they seek in collaborators.

April 1-30, 2025: Team Formation and Topic Selection

  • All project proposals will be shared in a centralized format visible to the entire cohort.
  • Fellows who wish to contribute their expertise (but not as project leads) may review the proposals and join projects that align with their interests and skills.
  • Project Leaders are encouraged to use the Asia 21 Discord Community to connect, discuss ideas, and form teams.

May 1-31, 2025: Submission of Project Management Plans

  • Each team will submit a Project Management Plan to the Asia 21 team for review. The plan must include:
    • Goals and objectives.
    • Key tasks and timeline.
    • Resources required and potential challenges.
    • Project deliverables (e.g., reports, white papers, products, or initiatives).
  • The Asia 21 team reviews the plans to ensure that submitted project plans have clear objectives and realistic timelines and informs the selected projects by May 23.

June 1 –September 30,  2025: Independent Team Work

  • Project Leads and their team members will dedicate this period to working on their projects.
  • Teams are encouraged to seek guidance from alumni mentors, Asia 21 resources, and peers for feedback and support.
  • The Asia 21 Discord Community could remain the primary platform for communication and updates.

October 1, 2025: Project Submission Deadline

October 6–10, 2025: Virtual Presentation

  • The Project Review Committee—comprising Asia Society senior staff, the Asia 21 team, and Asia 21 alumni—will review all submitted projects.

October 15, 2025: Winning Project Announced

  • The winning project team will be announced.
  • The Project Lead and up to three team members will be invited to present their project in person at the December Summit (with travel and accommodation covered).

December 2025: Capstone Demo Session at the Annual Summit

  • During the Asia 21 Summit, the winning team will present their project in the Capstone Demo Session.
  • The presentation should showcase project deliverables, such as reports, white papers, social media campaigns, or other tangible outcomes.
  • The demo session will provide an opportunity for the winning project to highlight its impact, secure new partnerships, and inspire further collaboration within the Asia 21 community.

Recommended Project Criteria

Challenge Projects are expected to align with the mission and goals of the Asia 21 Fellowship program. Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Relevance and Impact

  • Address shared challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, such as social equity, gender mainstreaming, environmental sustainability, education, good governance, or cultural preservation.
  • Demonstrate the potential for meaningful, tangible impact on local, regional, or global levels.

Innovation and Creativity

  • Present innovative ideas or approaches to tackling complex problems.
  • Showcase originality and forward-thinking strategies that set the project apart.

Feasibility and Execution

  • Include a clear and realistic plan of action with defined goals, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Demonstrate a practical approach that accounts for available resources, challenges, and scalability.

Collaboration and Team Dynamics

  • Reflect strong collaboration among team members, leveraging their diverse skills and expertise.
  • Highlight the collective effort and synergy in achieving project goals.

Alignment with Asia Society and Asia 21 Values

  • Uphold the core values of Asia Society and the Asia 21 Fellowship, such as fostering mutual understanding, promoting effective collaboration, and advocating for values-based leadership.
  • Align with Asia Society’s mission to navigate shared challenges and create a more connected, prosperous, and sustainable world.
  • Inspire broader engagement and collaboration within the Asia 21 community and beyond.

Presentation and Deliverables

  • Result in a polished, professional deliverable, such as a report, white paper, toolkit, product, or initiative.
  • Effectively communicate the project’s purpose, process, and impact during the Capstone Demo Session.

Winning Team Selection

The Project Review Committee will select the Winning Project based on the above recommended criteria. The winning team will be honored with the Asia 21 Impact Award, recognizing their contribution to addressing shared challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. The award includes:

  1. Invitation to Present at the Annual Summit – The Project Lead and up to three team members will be invited to present their project at the Asia 21 Summit in December 2025, with travel and accommodation expenses covered.
  2. Exclusive Presentation Opportunities – The winning team will have the opportunity to showcase their project on Asia Society’s virtual platform, reaching influential audiences and key stakeholders.
  3. Global Recognition and Amplification – If the project includes a formal written deliverable (e.g., a report or white paper), it will be considered for publication through Asia Society’s channels, expanding its reach and impact.
  4. Ongoing Support for Implementation – Asia Society will provide continued access to its global resources and network, helping to scale and sustain the project beyond the competition.

Sample Projects for Inspiration

For inspiration, explore examples of Asia 21 Challenge Projects that have tackled critical regional challenges and fostered cross-border collaboration. For instance, a group of Fellows from South Asia might collaborate on a policy report addressing mobility challenges faced by passport holders from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh—some of the world’s weakest passports. The report could emphasize the need for urgent diplomatic efforts to improve international mobility and propose actionable recommendations for policymakers.

Here are two examples of impactful projects led by Asia 21 Fellows:

  • State of Asia: A Survey on Asia’s Changing Landscape – Carried out by the Asia 21 Class of 2018, this project assesses the evolving landscape in Asia concerning politics, economy, culture, and social institutions. The findings are based on a survey conducted within Asia Society’s network of leaders and experts in late 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • India and Pakistan Peace Song – Produced by the India-Pakistan Regional Young Leaders Initiative, a local chapter of the Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative, this song explores the friendship and similarities between India and Pakistan. It was released on World Peace Day to promote harmony between the two nations.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS