The application deadline for Academic Year 2017-2018 has expired.
The Community Solutions Program (CSP), sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by IREX , provides the best and brightest community leaders from around the world with an intensive, four-month U.S.-based, professional development program that includes a substantive hands-on learning experience in the United States.
Community Solutions leaders work in one of four technical areas:
- Environmental Issues
- Transparency and Accountability
- Women and Gender Issues.
For 2017–2018, up to 100 community activists will be selected to participate in the program, which includes:
- Fellowship in the United States: Fellows are matched to host organizations throughout the US where they complete a four-month hands-on professional experience.
- Community Leadership Institute: Fellows participate in the Community Leadership Institute, a leadership training program designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills. The Institute includes face-to-face trainings, online courses, professional coaching, and networking.
- Community-based initiatives: While in the US and with the help of their US host organization, fellows design and plan a community development initiative or project to carry out after they return home. Once the fellows depart the US, they put these projects into action in their home communities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be between the ages of 25-38 as of January 1, 2017
- Applicants must have at least two years of experience working on community development, either as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer
- Applicants must have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English
The Community Solutions Program Includes
- a fully funded hands-on professional experience at a community-based organization in the U.S.
- Online and face-to-face training in leadership and management skills
- Personal coaching
Applications must be submitted online at http://oas.irex.org/csp
For additional information, please, visit: http://oas.irex.org/csp
For more information about the program, please contact Ingrīda Bodniece at the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section at 6710 7209 or e-mail to: Bodniecei@state.gov
