Deadline: 09-Jul-2026
The Community Engagement Exchange Program is accepting applications from emerging civic leaders across Europe and Eurasia for a two-way exchange focused on free speech, civic leadership, and community engagement. The program combines leadership training, First Amendment literacy, U.S.-based professional placements, reciprocal overseas exchanges, and community-based initiatives to strengthen civic participation and constructive public dialogue.
Program Overview
The Community Engagement Exchange Program is a two-way international exchange initiative for emerging civic leaders from Europe and Eurasia.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through its Office of Citizen Exchanges.
The initiative is designed to prepare young civic leaders with practical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional experience to promote and protect freedom of speech while strengthening civic participation in their home countries and in the United States.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Community Engagement Exchange Program is to strengthen free speech, civic leadership, and community engagement through international exchange and practical learning.
The program supports emerging leaders who are working on First Amendment-related issues, public discourse, constructive dialogue, conflict reduction, and community-based civic initiatives.
It also encourages long-term collaboration between participants, U.S. organizations, American peers, and local communities.
Funding Details
The funding opportunity offers approximately $1,000,000 through a cooperative agreement.
The anticipated performance period is 30 months. Subject to funding availability and successful implementation, the award may be renewed for two additional consecutive fiscal years.
Key funding points include:
- Approximate funding amount: $1,000,000
- Award type: Cooperative agreement
- Anticipated performance period: 30 months
- Possible renewal: Two additional consecutive fiscal years, subject to funding availability and successful implementation
- Administering agency: U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
- Office: Office of Citizen Exchanges
Key Focus Areas
The program focuses on civic leadership, free speech, public dialogue, and community engagement.
Key focus areas include:
- Freedom of speech
- First Amendment literacy
- Civic leadership development
- Community engagement
- Constructive dialogue
- Conflict reduction
- Public discourse
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Professional placements
- Community-based initiatives
- Reciprocal exchanges
- Leadership training
- Knowledge sharing
- Strengthening local capacity for civic participation
Program Participants
The program will support approximately 30 to 40 emerging civic leaders from selected countries in Europe and Eurasia.
Participant requirements include:
- Age range: 22 to 27 years old
- Region: Europe and Eurasia
- Status: Emerging civic leaders
- Experience: At least two years of work on relevant First Amendment-related issues
- Language: Proficiency in English
- Visa requirement: Ability to qualify for a U.S. J-1 visa
- Residency requirement: Must reside and work in their home country
- Return commitment: Must return to their home country for at least two years after completing the program
- Project commitment: Must implement a community-based initiative after the exchange
U.S.-Based Exchange Component
Selected participants will take part in a six- to eight-week exchange program in the United States.
The U.S.-based exchange will combine leadership training, free speech education, practical learning, and professional placements.
Main components include:
- Leadership training
- First Amendment education
- Civic engagement learning
- Practical professional experience
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Community-based learning
- Individualized professional placement
- Networking with U.S. organizations and peers
Professional Placement Component
Each participant will complete a four- to five-week individualized professional placement with a U.S. organization.
These placements are designed to provide hands-on experience in applying First Amendment principles in real-world community and organizational settings.
Professional placements may help participants:
- Understand how free speech principles are applied in practice
- Learn from U.S. civic organizations and institutions
- Strengthen leadership and project management skills
- Build professional networks
- Develop practical tools for community engagement
- Prepare for community-based initiatives in their home countries
Reciprocal Exchange Component
Following the U.S.-based exchange, approximately 15 to 20 American counterparts from host organizations will participate in reciprocal visits overseas.
These reciprocal visits will be co-designed with CEE participants and will support locally driven projects related to free speech, civic engagement, and community dialogue.
The reciprocal exchange component encourages long-term collaboration between U.S. communities, host organizations, and program alumni.
Expected Program Impact
The program seeks to generate measurable civic and community-level impact.
Expected results include:
- Stronger civic leadership skills among participants
- Improved understanding of freedom of speech and First Amendment principles
- Increased capacity to implement community-based initiatives
- Stronger constructive public discourse
- Reduced conflict through dialogue and civic engagement
- Improved collaboration between U.S. and overseas civic actors
- Greater local capacity for civic participation
- Long-term partnerships between participants and U.S. organizations
- Practical application of exchange learning in home communities
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Funding?
Eligible applicants for the funding opportunity include U.S.-based organizations and institutions.
Eligible applicant organizations include:
- U.S. not-for-profit organizations
- U.S. think tanks
- U.S. civil society organizations
- U.S. non-governmental organizations
- U.S. public educational institutions
- U.S. private educational institutions
Organizations applying for funding must demonstrate at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs.
Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Exchange?
Applicants for the exchange program must meet specific age, experience, residency, language, visa, and commitment requirements.
Eligible exchange participants must:
- Be between 22 and 27 years old
- Come from selected countries in Europe and Eurasia
- Reside and work in their home country
- Have at least two years of experience on relevant First Amendment-related issues
- Demonstrate commitment to developing local civic initiatives
- Be proficient in English
- Qualify for a U.S. J-1 visa
- Commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the program
- Commit to implementing a community-based project after completing the exchange
Why This Program Matters
Freedom of speech and constructive civic engagement are essential for democratic participation, public trust, and peaceful dialogue.
The Community Engagement Exchange Program matters because it gives emerging civic leaders the tools to promote responsible free expression, reduce conflict, and build stronger community participation.
By combining training, professional placements, reciprocal exchanges, and local projects, the program helps participants move from learning to action. It also builds long-term networks between communities in the United States, Europe, and Eurasia.
How the Program Works
The program works through a structured two-way exchange model.
The process includes:
- A qualified U.S. organization applies to administer the program through a cooperative agreement.
- Approximately 30 to 40 emerging civic leaders from Europe and Eurasia are selected.
- Participants complete a six- to eight-week exchange in the United States.
- The U.S.-based exchange includes leadership training, free speech education, and practical learning.
- Participants complete a four- to five-week professional placement with a U.S. organization.
- Participants develop skills and ideas for community-based initiatives.
- Approximately 15 to 20 American counterparts take part in reciprocal overseas visits.
- Reciprocal exchanges are co-designed with CEE participants.
- Participants implement locally driven projects related to free speech, civic engagement, and community dialogue.
- The program supports long-term collaboration, knowledge sharing, and civic leadership development.
How to Apply for Funding
Eligible U.S. organizations should prepare a proposal that explains how they will design, manage, and implement the Community Engagement Exchange Program.
Application Preparation Steps
- Confirm organizational eligibility
Applicants should confirm that they are a U.S. not-for-profit organization, think tank, civil society organization, non-governmental organization, or public or private educational institution. - Demonstrate exchange experience
Applicants must show at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs. - Design the exchange model
The proposal should explain how the six- to eight-week U.S.-based exchange will be structured. - Develop the training curriculum
Applicants should describe training on freedom of speech, First Amendment literacy, civic leadership, public dialogue, and community engagement. - Plan professional placements
The application should explain how four- to five-week individualized placements with U.S. organizations will be identified and managed. - Explain participant support
Applicants should describe how they will support international participants before, during, and after the U.S.-based exchange. - Design reciprocal exchanges
Applicants should explain how 15 to 20 American counterparts will participate in reciprocal visits overseas. - Support community-based initiatives
The proposal should show how participants will develop and implement local projects after the exchange. - Include monitoring and evaluation
Applicants should explain how they will measure leadership growth, community impact, project outcomes, and long-term collaboration. - Prepare a realistic budget and timeline
The proposal should align the approximately $1,000,000 funding level with the 30-month performance period and program activities.
How to Apply as an Exchange Participant
Emerging civic leaders should prepare an application that clearly shows their civic experience, motivation, free speech-related work, and commitment to community action.
Participant Application Steps
- Check age eligibility
Applicants must be between 22 and 27 years old. - Confirm country and residency requirements
Applicants must reside and work in their home country within the eligible Europe and Eurasia region. - Show relevant experience
Applicants should demonstrate at least two years of experience working on First Amendment-related issues, civic engagement, dialogue, public discourse, or community participation. - Demonstrate English proficiency
Applicants must be able to participate in training, professional placements, and discussions in English. - Confirm visa readiness
Applicants must be able to qualify for a U.S. J-1 visa. - Explain leadership goals
Applicants should describe how the exchange will strengthen their civic leadership and local impact. - Propose a community-based initiative
Applicants should explain the type of project they plan to implement after returning home. - Commit to returning home
Applicants must commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after completing the program.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals or participant applications that are too general or do not clearly connect to free speech and civic engagement.
Common mistakes include:
- Not demonstrating clear eligibility
- Providing weak evidence of international exchange experience
- Failing to explain First Amendment literacy components
- Not showing how professional placements will be managed
- Leaving out reciprocal exchange planning
- Treating the program as only a training activity rather than a two-way exchange
- Not showing how community-based initiatives will be supported
- Providing weak monitoring and evaluation plans
- Not demonstrating participant safety and support systems
- Submitting participant applications without clear civic leadership experience
- Failing to show commitment to return and implement a local project
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be structured, practical, and clearly aligned with free speech, civic leadership, and community engagement.
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain how the program will promote responsible freedom of speech
- Include strong First Amendment literacy content
- Show how leadership training will be practical and applied
- Build meaningful professional placements with U.S. organizations
- Demonstrate strong participant support systems
- Design reciprocal exchanges that strengthen long-term collaboration
- Include a clear approach to community-based initiatives
- Show how constructive dialogue and conflict reduction will be supported
- Include measurable outcomes and evaluation tools
- Demonstrate strong capacity to manage a 30-month cooperative agreement
Key Terms Explained
Community Engagement Exchange Program
The Community Engagement Exchange Program is a U.S. Department of State exchange initiative that supports emerging civic leaders through training, professional placements, reciprocal exchanges, and community-based projects.
First Amendment Literacy
First Amendment literacy refers to understanding the principles of free speech, expression, assembly, religion, press, and petition in the United States context.
Civic Leadership
Civic leadership means guiding people, organizations, or communities to participate in public life, solve local problems, and strengthen democratic engagement.
Community Engagement
Community engagement refers to meaningful participation by residents, organizations, and stakeholders in identifying issues, shaping solutions, and improving community life.
Constructive Dialogue
Constructive dialogue is respectful conversation that helps people exchange views, reduce conflict, and work toward shared understanding or solutions.
Professional Placement
A professional placement is a hands-on learning experience with an organization where participants observe, contribute, and apply skills in a real-world setting.
Reciprocal Exchange
A reciprocal exchange is a follow-on visit where U.S. counterparts travel overseas to collaborate with program participants and support local projects.
Cooperative Agreement
A cooperative agreement is a funding arrangement in which the awarding agency remains substantially involved in program implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Engagement Exchange Program?
The Community Engagement Exchange Program is a two-way exchange initiative for emerging civic leaders from Europe and Eurasia focused on free speech, civic leadership, and community engagement.
Who administers the program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through its Office of Citizen Exchanges.
How many civic leaders will participate?
The program will support approximately 30 to 40 emerging civic leaders from selected countries in Europe and Eurasia.
What is the age range for exchange participants?
Participants must be between 22 and 27 years old.
How long is the U.S.-based exchange?
The U.S.-based exchange will last six to eight weeks.
What is included in the U.S.-based exchange?
The exchange includes leadership training, free speech education, practical learning experiences, and a four- to five-week individualized professional placement with a U.S. organization.
What is the reciprocal exchange component?
Approximately 15 to 20 American counterparts from host organizations will participate in reciprocal visits overseas to support local projects and long-term collaboration.
Who can apply for the funding opportunity?
Eligible funding applicants include U.S. not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, civil society or non-governmental organizations, and U.S. public and private educational institutions.
What experience must funding applicants have?
Organizations applying for funding must have at least four years of experience conducting international exchange programs.
What is the funding amount?
The funding opportunity offers approximately $1,000,000 through a cooperative agreement.
What is the anticipated performance period?
The anticipated performance period is 30 months.
Can the award be renewed?
Yes. Subject to funding availability and successful implementation, the award may be renewed for two additional consecutive fiscal years.
Conclusion
The Community Engagement Exchange Program strengthens free speech, civic leadership, and community engagement through practical international exchange. By combining First Amendment literacy, leadership training, U.S. professional placements, reciprocal overseas exchanges, and community-based projects, the program helps emerging civic leaders build skills, reduce conflict, promote constructive public discourse, and strengthen local capacity for civic participation across Europe, Eurasia, and the United States.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.