Oaktree Youth Solidarity Fund
It's time to challenge the status quo.
In 2019, we visited Timor Leste. We spoke to young people in our programs and found that there was a huge gap in funding for small grassroots organisations in our region. Young people in the Asia Pacifc region have innovate ideas for sustainable development projects in their communities. However, a lack of funding for these small, sometimes unregistered movement who are full of energy is a barrier to creating a more just world.
Today, our vision is to create a more sustainable environment where every young person has an equitable chance to reach their potential. For us, empowering young people is essential to bring about positive social change. At Oaktree, we’re continually evolving to make sure young people across the Asia-Pacific region are at the centre of our work and are having a huge impact by leading change.
Never before has there been so many young people wanting to create change in their communities. That’s why we’re supporting youth-led organisations across the Asia-Pacific region to lead change in their communities.
Leading, demanding and creating a better world.
Through the Oaktree Youth Solidarity Fund (OYSF), Oaktree partners with youth-led organisations from across the Asia-Pacific who are working on incredible projects to address a concern they see in their community. This way we are able to support sustainable, locally-led development initiatives.
The Oaktree Youth Solidarity Fund is founded on the principle of youth-youth solidarity, building a movement of youth-led organisations and young people across the Asia-Pacific region to create a more just world. At Oaktree, we recognise the unique circumstances and structural barriers many youth-led organisations experience. That’s why we’ve worked hard to make sure the Oaktree Youth Solidarity Fund is as flexible and accessible as possible.
Rather than expecting youth organisations to change so that you can work with us, we want to meet youth organisations where they’re at, and transform the way Oaktree works so that we can better support you.
How does it work?
Each year our members are selected based on the project they would like to run. The members are given flexible grants to fund their initiatives, and are welcomed to the OYSF Network, to connect, engage, and share knowledge with other youth-led organisations in our region.
By creating a network of youth-youth solidarity, we are able to grow a movement of young people who are empowered to lead, demand, and create a better world.
Our 2024 members coming soon!
Our 2023 members
Asosiasaun Timoriana (Timor Leste)
Timoriana is a youth-led environmental research and advocacy organisation. It promotes fair, responsible and just social-economic development in Timor-Leste. In 2023, they expanded the Environmental Protection Program to Dato village in the Liquiça Municipality while continuing to facilitate community activities on water conservation, Terracing Farming, and planting of trees.
Tonga Women in ICT (Tonga)
Tonga Women in ICT (TWICT) promotes women and girls' participation in Tonga's male-dominated ICT industry. In 2023, TWICT conducted cyber safety campaigns at 5 high schools, reaching about 500 students. They also organized capacity training workshops, including an ICT industry introduction and cyber education for children. TWICT expanded by opening a second chapter in Vava'u Islands.
PEPY Empowering Youth (Cambodia)
PEPY is a youth-led organization supporting youth entrepreneurship in Cambodia. In 2023, they ran the Youth Innovator's Space and Incubator program, offering "WeBusiness" talks, mentorship, and training to help young entrepreneurs develop business plans and viable products. PEPY also hosted their fourth Youth Innovators' Exhibition, featuring 47 businesses and attracting over 750 attendees.
Conserve Indigenous Peoples Languages Organisation (Cambodia)
Conserve Indigenous Peoples Languages Organisation (CIPL) is an indigenous-led and staffed organisation which promotes digital and media information for Indigenous peoples in Cambodia. In 2023, CIPL provided training on digital media literacy and social media to indigenous communities, conducted over 2 sessions with approximately 20 participants. They have also donated learning materials to schools in low income communities.
Gamnlangchai (Laos)
Gamnlangchai is the first ever youth-led initiative which works to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize mental illness in Laos. In 2023 they produced multiple digital communication materials to democratise and disseminate information and education on mental health, including a short film promoting suicide prevention awareness.
Interpersonal Development Foundation (Timor-Leste)
Interpersonal Development Foundation (JPF) works to build the digital literacy and critical thinking capacities of young people in Timor-Leste. In 2023, JPF’s interpersonal development team conducted advocacy training programs for young people, young women in particular, in the areas of human rights and reproductive education. Their workshops had over 100 participants and were attended by numerous government panellists and the national journalists committee.
Our 2022 members
We are so excited to announce the five organisations that will form our inaugral OYSF network:
Asosiasaun Timoriana (Timor Leste)
Timoriana is a youth-led environmental research and advocacy organisation. It promotes fair, responsible and just social-economic development in Timor-Leste, and works to encourage environmental advocacy amongst youth and community members.
Tonga Women in ICT (Tonga)
Tonga Women in ICT is an organisation that works to encourage the participation of women and girls within the Kingdom of Tonga’s ICT industry and provide a voice within the male-dominated industry. They will work to increase awareness of women in ICT and provide ICT training.
Manggala Jingga (Indonesia)
Manggala Jingga is a student-led organisation based in Indonesia. Manggala Jingga facilitates programs to empower the Kampung Air community with social enterprise, urban farming and environmental advocacy skills.
Soft Skills Development (Cambodia)
Alumni for Soft Skills Development is an organisation in Cambodia which works to bridge the gap between critical thinking and life skills in Cambodian generations, in order to advance self-sustainability and lead a meaningful life. They work collaboratively with relevant actors to empower Cambodian youth with the goal of helping youth to discover their authentic selves through active learning.
Youth Leadership Development (Timor Leste)
Young Leaders Development Program (YLDP) is a program committed to the development of Timorese youth. The organisation works with young leaders, and provides capacity-building, personal development, and research and advocacy around youth development.
