Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA)

What Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA) does

Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Brunei Darussalam that operates two programmatic branches: the Youth Series Model and the Global Analysis Branch. The Youth Series Model is a three-phased youth empowerment framework delivered through Camp Wira (confidence building for disadvantaged youth), Skills Workshops including the Youth Leadership Summit, and a Mentoring Programme that connects participants with industry experts via partner Young Professionals Network (YPN). The Global Analysis Branch conducts independent policy research, organizes public seminars, and publishes reports on regional security, maritime issues, IUU fishing, transnational crime, and ASEAN affairs, often in collaboration with think tanks such as ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.

GAIA serves disadvantaged and general youth in Brunei, young professionals, policymakers, and the broader Southeast Asian research community. Its primary partners include the Australia High Commission (which has funded the IUU Fishing in Borneo and Digital Distortions reports), the US Embassy through YSEALI programs, and a network of local implementation partners including SCOT, YPN, and Projek Bina Ukhwah (PBU). Activities reach participants across Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with convening presence at ASEAN, Pacific Forum, DCAF, and CSIS platforms.

The business model is grant- and donation-funded non-profit operations. Revenue streams include public donations (e.g., a COVID-19 carepack campaign raising BND 11,000), institutional grants from foreign missions, and project-specific funding from think tank partners. There is no proprietary technology platform, no paid product, and no pricing model — programs and publications are delivered free to participants and readers. The organization is led by Co-Founders Naveed Khan and Dr. Asyura Salleh, supported by a Youth Series Director, Project Managers, and roughly 10 research associates and staff.

Name

Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA)

Legal name

Global Awareness & Impact Alliance

Website

https://gaiaalliance.co

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA) is a Brunei-based non-profit running a three-phased Youth Series Model (Camp Wira, workshops, mentoring) and a Global Analysis Branch that publishes policy research on ASEAN maritime security, IUU fishing, and transnational crime, serving disadvantaged youth, young professionals, and policymakers across Southeast Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Policy Research Non-profit Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (924120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment programs
• Policy research publications
• Nonprofit community initiatives
• Regional security analysis
• Mentorship and leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunei

HQ country

Brunei

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: GAIA operates as a non-profit organization funded through public donations and institutional grants. The organization conducts fundraising campaigns (e.g., COVID-19 carepack donations totaling BND 11,000), receives support from embassies and high commissions for specific projects, and partners with organizations for program funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GAIA delivers free youth development programs (Camp Wira, Youth Leadership Summit, Mentoring Programme) in Brunei and conducts independent policy research, public seminars, and publications on regional security, maritime issues, IUU fishing, transnational crime, and ASEAN affairs through its Global Analysis Branch. Programs and research are funded via donations, grants, and partnerships with embassies and regional organizations.

Product overview

Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Brunei that operates two core programmatic branches: the Youth Series Model and the Global Analysis Branch. The Youth Series Model is a three-phased youth empowerment framework consisting of Camp Wira (Phase 1 - confidence building through weekend camps), the Youth Leadership Summit/YLS (Phase 2 - skills training in communication, critical thinking, negotiation), and the Mentoring Programme (Phase 3 - connecting youth with industry experts). The Global Analysis Branch conducts policy research, publishes reports on maritime security and regional issues, and organizes public seminars and conferences. GAIA's offerings are primarily educational and research-oriented programs, not technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Series Model A three-phased youth empowerment framework consisting of Camp Wira (Phase 1, confidence building), Skills Workshops including the Youth Leadership Summit (Phase 2, skills development), and the Mentoring Programme (Phase 3, peer support and career alignment), delivered free to youth in Brunei.
• Camp Wira A weekend camp for disadvantaged and general youth in Brunei designed to help participants realize their strengths and build self-confidence by confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities.
• Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) A multi-day training program (Phase 2 of the Youth Series Model) delivering skills in communication, conflict resolution, critical thinking, public speaking, confidence building, and negotiation to youth participants in Brunei, co-delivered with partner organizations such as SCOT.
• Mentoring Programme A six-month mentoring program (Phase 3 of the Youth Series Model) connecting GenerationGAIA youth in Brunei with industry experts from sectors including defence, medicine, and banking for career guidance and development.
• Global Analysis Branch A research and convening initiative that conducts in-depth analyses, organizes public seminars, releases independent publications, and builds partnerships with academic institutions and policy think tanks on regional security, maritime issues, and transnational crime in Southeast Asia.
• GAIA Publications Independent research publications covering maritime security, IUU fishing, COVID-19 impacts, drug trafficking, diplomacy, and environmental issues in Southeast Asia, made available for download via the GAIA website.
• GAIA Events & Seminars Public seminars, workshops, and conferences convened by GAIA addressing topics such as maritime security, transnational crime, the South China Sea, humanitarian principles, misinformation, and youth empowerment.
• IUU Fishing in Borneo Policy Paper Independent policy paper titled 'Trapped in the Nets: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Borneo Island', investigating the repercussions of IUU fishing on Borneo based on field research and expert interviews from Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Quantifiable outcome

• 222 families received COVID-19 relief support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Young Professionals Network (YPN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2021Partnership for the Mentoring Programme launch in January 2021. YPN extended their mentorship network to support GAIA's youth development initiatives, connecting GenerationGAIA youth with industry experts from sectors including defence, medicine, and banking.
• Society for Community Outreach & Training (SCOT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2020GAIA collaborates with SCOT on the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS 2020) and Focus Workshop programs. SCOT provides expertise in effective communication and project idea formulations for sustainable poverty alleviation in Brunei. The partnership focuses on developing disadvantaged youth through skills training including critical thinking, public speaking, and confidence building.
• Projek Bina Ukhwah (PBU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for organizing Camp Wira, a weekend camp aimed at helping disadvantaged youths realize their strengths and capabilities. PBU works with GAIA to confront and challenge preconceived notions about youth potential.
• Australia High CommissionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the launch of the report 'Trapped in the Nets: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in Borneo Island' and the Digital Distortions report on misinformation resilience. Provides funding and diplomatic support for research initiatives.
• ISEAS-Yusof Ishak InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the annual State of Southeast Asia Survey. GAIA collaborates with the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on regional policy research and surveys.
• Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) / CSISmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting AMTI for seminars on environmental damage in the South China Sea. Roundtable discussions attended by policymakers and maritime security experts on marine habitat degradation in the South China Sea.
• SEEDS Foundation, SabahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAIA participated on a panel discussion on protecting the South China Sea maritime environment. Dr. Asyura Salleh discussed environmental destruction and stakeholder approaches to preserving the sea with WWF and government representatives.
• US Embassy (Brunei)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple collaborations including YSEALI fellowship programs, public lecture on human trafficking moderated by GAIA Research Associate, and support for youth professional development initiatives.
• YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGAIA staff and associates participate in YSEALI programs including Professional Fellowships, Academic Fellowships, and Regional Workshops on topics including civic engagement, marine issues, and diversity.
• 1Stop BorneominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDialogue partner at 'A Dialogue on Transnational Crimes in the New Norm' focusing on wildlife trafficking issues in the region.
• Sabah Environmental TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at transnational crime dialogue addressing wildlife trafficking and environmental issues in Borneo and the wider region.
• Brunei Narcotics Control BureauminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExpert speaker at GAIA's dialogue on transnational crimes, providing insights on drug trafficking trends during the pandemic.
• Our Journey MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner addressing human trafficking issues, particularly regarding migrant workers and protection of trafficking victims in the region.
• Pacific ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Asyura Salleh participated in Pacific Forum's Maritime Discussion Series on maritime crime and interstate rivalry in the Eastern Indian Ocean.
• Embassy of Canada in JapanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDr. Asyura Salleh was invited to speak at a talk on Indo Pacific maritime security, discussing China's activities in the South and East China Seas.
• Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAIA Research Associate observed the Southeast Asia Security Sector Governance Forum covering democratization, security sector oversight, and civil society engagement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ashoka: Global network identifying and supporting leading social entrepreneurs and young changemakers across 90+ countries. Direct peer to GAIA in empowering young people to drive social impact, with comparable emphasis on confidence building, mentorship, and changemaker development.
• Global Shapers Community: World Economic Forum initiative of city-based hubs of young leaders driving local impact projects. Direct peer in youth leadership development, peer networking, and community-driven change-making across multiple geographies.
• AIESEC: Global youth leadership network delivering leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, and skills programs to young people across 100+ countries. Closest direct peer to GAIA's Youth Series Model in terms of mission, target audience (youth aged 18-30), and structured program delivery model.
• Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI): U.S. State Department program building a network of young Southeast Asian leaders through fellowships, workshops, and regional exchanges on civic engagement, education, and environment. Direct peer in regional youth leadership development, and an active GAIA partner.
• ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Singapore-based research institute focused on socio-political, economic, and security studies in Southeast Asia. Direct peer in regional policy research, and an active GAIA partner for the annual State of Southeast Asia Survey.
• Pacific Forum: Honolulu-based foreign policy think tank focused on maritime security, Indo-Pacific affairs, and crisis management. Direct peer in maritime security research, and an active GAIA partner for the Maritime Discussion Series.

Emerging players

• Teach For All: Global network of independent organizations working to expand educational opportunity in their countries. Emerging peer to GAIA in youth education and capacity building programs with structured curricula and partner-led delivery.
• S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS): Nanyang Technological University's graduate school for international affairs and security studies in Singapore. Comparable peer in regional security and policy research, with partial overlap on maritime security and ASEAN affairs.

Broad incumbents

• Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at CSIS: Center for Strategic and International Studies initiative tracking maritime disputes, military activity, and environmental issues in the South China Sea. Broad incumbent peer in maritime policy research, and an active GAIA partner for seminars on marine habitat degradation.

Regional players

• WWF (Borneo and marine programs): Global conservation organization with substantial Borneo and marine programs addressing IUU fishing and habitat preservation. Regional peer with comparable focus on GAIA's conservation research areas, though operating at significantly larger scale and scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gaia.alliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gaia-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Awareness & Impact Alliance (GAIA)