Zihao Yin Named 2026 Projects for Peace Award Recipient for Digital Literacy Initiative in Thailand
Zihao Yin, a Global Governance and Policy student at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) (December 2026), has been named a 2026 Projects for Peace award recipient. His project, “Mekong Digital Guardians: Combating Cyber-Fraud to Build Economic Resilience & Trust,” will be implemented in Nong Khai, Thailand.
Yin’s project addresses the growing threat of cyber fraud in rural communities along the Mekong River, where increased smartphone use among elderly populations has not been matched by digital literacy. As a result, many have become targets of cross-border scams, leading not only to financial loss but also to strained family relationships and diminished trust between generations.
In the age of AI, enhancing cybersecurity awareness and AI literacy is pivotal to protecting vulnerable communities and building resilience.
To respond, Yin will lead a youth-driven initiative that transforms cybersecurity education into an interactive experience. The project will train local students as “Digital Guardians” to facilitate community workshops using a co-designed anti-scam board game toolkit. By translating complex fraud schemes into accessible, culturally relevant formats, the program aims to equip elderly participants with practical skills to identify and avoid scams.
The initiative builds on Yin’s previous fieldwork in Nong Khai through his internship with Openmind Projects, a local nonprofit partner for the project. His academic training in financial crime management at MIIS further informs the curriculum, which incorporates real-world fraud typologies and prevention strategies tailored to the local context.
Projects for Peace, an initiative established in 2007, awards $10,000 grants to undergraduate and graduate students to design and implement grassroots projects that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict in communities around the world.
2027 Projects for Peace Application To Open in Fall 2026
MIIS will award one more 10k Projects for Peace Award for summer 2027. MIIS students graduating in December 2026 or May 2027 may apply. The application will open for 2027 in October 2026.
Past Projects for Peace Award Recipients
Learn more about all past MIIS Projects for Peace Award recipients through our news stories.
For More Information
Middlebury Institute Fellowships Carolyn Meyer, Director of Experiential Learning Mikayla Parson, Fellowships Graduate Assistant institutefellowships@middlebury.edu