Deadline: 30-Jul-21
The Office of Public Affairs (OPA), invites proposal submissions from U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited U.S. post-secondary and secondary educational institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code USC 501(c)(3) to design and implement the Youth Leadership Program, pending the availability of FY 2021 AEECA funds.
Youth Leadership Program themes:
The Youth Leadership Program will introduce participants to a comprehensive survey of civic education, community service, and youth leadership development. Activities will focus on building their knowledge and skill levels in these areas. The students and educators will participate in workshops, community service activities, meetings with community leaders, and discussion groups and will have opportunities for substantive interaction with each other and their American peers.
The program should explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism in the modern age. Program should require participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities and to implement an action plan to address a particular need.
Components
- The Youth Leadership Program should be organized for 18 high school students aged 15-19, and 3 teachers from three communities in BiH to reflect the country’s diversity and administrative divisions, for a total of 21 participants in one program.
- The Youth Leadership Program should be a substantive three- to four-week exchange in the United States, in at least two different cities. The program should incorporate a homestay experience as part of the program.
- The program in the United States should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises that focus on the themes and include aspects of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, appreciation of diversity, and management skills. Therefore, participants should gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- The program should ensure a balance of speakers and perspectives throughout the program schedule, representing diverse U.S. political viewpoints, as well as other aspects of diversity. The program should foster the Embassy’s mission to promote mutual understanding between citizens of other countries and citizens of the United States. Thus, the program should include robust opportunities for participants to meet Americans from a variety of backgrounds, to interact with their U.S. peers, and to speak to appropriate student and civic groups about their experiences and life in their home countries.
- The program should include requirements of continued follow-on engagement and project implementation once participants return home.
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $120,000
- Award Ceiling: $120,000
- Award Floor: $60,000
- Length of Performance Period: 18 months
- Anticipated Award Date: August/September 2021
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited secondary U.S. or higher education institutions (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public and private universities) meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in this section are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to work in all parts of BiH, whether independently or in cooperation with a partner organization.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334463
