Inclusivity
Youth
ASEAN youth possess immense upside to push for new ideas and inclusive economic growth in the region. However, fragmented entrepreneurship opportunities across all 11 member states limit their access to the resources needed to realize this potential.
In response, the ASEAN-BAC Philippines launched its flagship youth initiative, Mentoring ASEAN's Next Advocates (MANA).
Inspired by the Filipino word pamana ("legacy"), MANA creates a pathway that gives young entrepreneurs access to regional opportunities while advancing ASEAN's commitment to youth development, inclusive growth, and people-centered regional integration.
The initiative unites the youth across all sectors, from entrepreneurs, students, innovators, startup founders, business leaders, and legislators, through policy engagement, capacity building, networking, market access opportunities, and the integration of family-led enterprises into the much more expansive ASEAN supply chains.
Strategic Objectives
Strategic objectives to strengthen ASEAN youth entrepreneurship include:
Engaging active youth partnership and participation
Expanding the ASEAN-BAC Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem across gig workers, MSMEs, and large enterprises
Advancing youth-centered regional frameworks through the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Action Agenda and ASEAN Trade Research Paper
Sustaining a digital platform connecting ASEAN youth to incubation, funding, mentorship, trade missions, seminars, and exchange programs beyond the 2026 Chairmanship
