Deadline: 20-Aug-23
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is inviting applications for the Youth Forum Leadership Summit 2024.
The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo would like to work with a local partner to organize a four-day Youth Forum Leadership Summit, tentatively scheduled for February 2024.
The Summit would bring together Youth Forum members representing the U.S. Embassy Colombo’s American Corners in Kandy, Jaffna, Matara, Colombo’s American Center, and the iHUB in Batticaloa (approximately 75 Youth Forum Members total from the five sites in Sri Lanka) as well as 20-25 Youth leaders from the South Asian region (nominated by the U.S. Missions to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) for a three-day, in-person workshop of skill-building sessions intended to develop the skills and understanding of a new generation of Sri Lankan youth leaders.
Youth Forum are the lead volunteers at each American Space in Sri Lanka (American Center Colombo, American Corner Kandy, American Corner Jaffna, American Corner Matara, and, once established, iHUB Batticaloa). Each of the Spaces selects a team of 12 – 15 members from participants of the current and recent programs offered through the Space. Participants are aged 18 – 24 and are selected based on their commitment to the American Space experience, support of on-going programs, community-mindedness, and availability with special attention paid to ensure gender, and ethnic diversities. Youth Forum members serve their Space for a period of 15 – 18 months with regular volunteer hours, supporting programs, performing light administrative duties, and leading community outreach efforts. The Spaces lean on Youth Forum members to be a direct voice to other young people and future leaders in the region, and the Youth Forum members are often offered opportunities to engage in discussions and interactions with Embassy personnel as well as visitors from the United States.
Program Objectives
- Through this program, the youth participants will gain understanding and capacities as youth leaders in their communities. They will explore U.S. policy goals around climate change, entrepreneurism, diversity and acceptance, free and fair governance, and social exchange, as well as other issues of importance as determined by the Embassy and Sri Lanka, and build a greater understand of how those goals apply to programming in the American Spaces that they support with their volunteering.
- They will explore regional connections as well as education and professional pathways. Finally, the group will develop their interest and skills by working effectively on a community service project.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $75,000
- Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 11 months or less. The suggested timeline would be 3.5 – 4 months of planning, the event in February 2024, and subsequent period for evaluation and determining sustained changed.
Expected Activities
- Proposals should describe how the participant plans to address the requirements listed below:
- Organize the Conference package and location
- Logistics and necessary supplies
- Sample agenda, including proposed schedule of activities
- Suggested training exercises, speakers
- Suggestions for feasible community service projects
- Materials for each participant (shirts, training materials, etc.)
- Photos and certificates as needed
- Support travel logistics for participants and staff
- In country: for each group from each American Space in country to travel to venue location; other travel as needed to participate in activities and community service project
- 15 Youth Forum Leaders from each Kandy, Jaffna, Matara and Colombo; up to 15 from Batticaloa
- International: flights and travel for each international participant (from region)
- Approximately 5 each from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Maldives
- Provide lodging for participating members as well as 2 staff from each American Corner
- Work with the Youth Forum to organize a hands-on community service learning opportunity
- Capture long term sustainability, as well as measure and communicate the impacts and outcomes of event
- In country: for each group from each American Space in country to travel to venue location; other travel as needed to participate in activities and community service project
- Organize the Conference package and location
Participants and Audiences: Youth Forum members, ages 18 – 24, who are lead volunteers at American Spaces in Sri Lanka as well as throughout the region (to include Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives).
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Government entities and individuals are not eligible for an award under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the local primary partner of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
- Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
- This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
- U.S. Embassy Colombo Cooperative agreements cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization, or illegal activities.
For more information, visit PDS.