Taipei: A government-funded program that enables youths from Taiwan's diplomatic allies to participate in short-term training in selected fields in Taiwan is still hoping to welcome 85 youths this year, a diplomat in charge of the project said Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the "Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative -- Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track" was launched in 2025 and brought 66 youths aged 18 to 30 from Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies to Taiwan last year. Eric Lin, the deputy chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of Policy Planning, shared these details at a weekly MOFA briefing.
Due to the program's success and high demand, Lin stated that more participants are expected this year, with the possibility that all 85 openings for 2026 could be filled. As of mid-August, 47 individuals had arrived in Taiwan under the program. Lin encouraged aspiring participants to apply through Taiwan's embassies in their home countries, as several openings still remain.
The initiative allows individuals aged 18-30 from Taiwan's allies to spend a month in Taiwan, exploring the country while developing innovative ideas to bring back to their home countries. Participants can engage in one of four fields: sustainable tourism, new energy and carbon-credit cooperation, smart medicine and healthcare, and smart agriculture, Lin explained.
The program is an extension of the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, launched by Taiwan's government in early 2025. It was initially established to offer more than 800 opportunities for Taiwanese nationals aged 15 to 30 to travel abroad for periods ranging from two weeks to one year, focusing on fostering global connections and exchanges among Taiwanese young people.
The original one-way program was later expanded into a two-way program by inviting youths from Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies to visit Taiwan for short-term training programs and cultural exchanges.