IREX invites Community Leaders from Select Countries to attend the Community Solutions Program in the U.S.

IREX is currently inviting community leaders from select countries around the world to participate in the Community Solutions Program to be hosted by US based organizations. Community Solutions Program is targeted at community leaders working in Transparency & Accountability, Tolerance/Conflict Resolution, Environmental Issues, and Women’s Issues. During this professional development program, these leaders will get an opportunity to will participate in: a four month US fellowship with a local nonprofit organization or government agency; structured virtual learning and networking via the Online Community Leadership Institute; and, the design and implementation of follow-on projects in their home countries.

Program Activities

Four-month U.S. Fellowship:  Community Solutions leaders work in community based, non-profit organizations or government offices across the U.S. where they work in partnership with American counterparts to address local issues.

Community Leadership Institute (CLI): Community Solutions leaders develop leadership and organizational management skills through online courses and in-person training that complements their community placements.

Follow-on Projects: Community Solutions leaders develop follow-on community projects in partnership with their U.S. hosts.  Follow-on projects will be completed after leaders return to their home countries.

ELIGIBILITY
Technical Eligibility Requirements

• Community Solutions Program is open to participants from select eligible countries irrespective of race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Community Solutions Program is merit-based and open to community leaders, ages 25-38 at the time of application, who meet the following criteria:
• from a participating country (U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years are not eligible for this program)
• currently living and working in his/her home country (Individuals participating in academic, training or research programs in the United States at the time of application and individuals residing or working outside their home countries at the time of application are not eligible for this program)
• currently working on a community project or initiative in his/her home country; and, has at least 2 years of professional experience in this capacity at the time of application
• able to begin the program in the United States in 2012, and is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program
• able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa (Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. Government who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application are not eligible for this program)
• proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application

Eligible Countries

·         Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

·         East Asia and the Pacific: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

·         Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia

·         South and Central Asia: Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

·         Near East & North Africa: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and West Bank/Gaza

·         Western Hemisphere: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago

Financial Provisions

• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to the US
• Accident and sickness insurance
• Living Allowance to cover housing, meals and incidentals

Last date for submission of applications is November 7, 2011
For more information, visit this link.