IREX Community Solutions Program 2024

The Community Solutions Program (CSP) in the USA, hosted by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), is a highly esteemed leadership development initiative scheduled for 2024. This program spans a year and is dedicated to nurturing community leaders who are passionate about bringing positive change to their local communities. Participants in this program, hailing from diverse parts of the world, come together to focus on addressing a wide range of urgent issues, including but not limited to democracy and human rights, environmental concerns, peace-building, conflict resolution, and women's rights.

Key components of this leadership and exchange program include a hands-on four-month internship in the United States, customized leadership coaching, advanced training through a graduate-level leadership curriculum, and a subsequent six-month community project that fellows undertake in their respective home countries. Through these opportunities, CSP empowers leaders to develop the skills, knowledge, and international perspective necessary to effectively address critical global challenges and drive positive change within their communities.

During these four months, participants in the program form strong connections with IREX in the United States. The extensive exchange program, which includes full financial support, offers a full-time professional experience that broadens the horizons of the participants and moulds them into influential leaders of the future. The primary goal of the generously funded Community Solutions Program is to equip dedicated community leaders with the skills and resources they need to create a positive impact in addressing the complex economic, environmental, political, and social challenges in their communities. Through this well-funded fellowship opportunity, participants also have the potential to serve as ambassadors for promoting mutual understanding.

CSP Project Activities: 

• Four-Month Fellowship:

During the four-month fellowship, participants engage in collaborative projects with American counterparts, addressing challenges within their communities.

• Community Leadership Institute:

The program's core element is a dedicated leadership academy, providing tailored learning and coaching to participants both before and after their time in the United States.

• Community-Based Initiatives:

In conjunction with their American host organizations, participants are encouraged to develop creative community projects that address local needs and issues.

• International Network of Community Development Professionals:

Alumni of the program maintain connections and collaborate with like-minded leaders from around the world through various alumni activities and the online platform provided by the Community Leadership Institute.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must adhere to the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the Community Solutions Program. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified and will not undergo evaluation by the selection committee.

1. You must be between the ages of 26 and 39 as of January 1, 2024.
2. You must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed below.
3. You should be residing and working in your home country.
• Special consideration may be given to individuals with refugee status actively working to benefit their home community.
4. You must possess a minimum of two years of experience in community development, either as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer.
5. You should not be enrolled in an academic, training, or research program in the United States.
6. You must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English at the time of application.
• Semifinalists must take and pass or provide recent scores for a TOEFL or IELTS English language test.
7. You must be available to travel to the United States for four months, from August to December 2024.
8. You should not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you must not have applied for U.S. permanent residency within the past three years.
9. You must be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
10. Applicants previously participating in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program must have fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement.
11. You must commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after completing the program.
12. You should not be a current IREX employee or consultant or an immediate family member of such individuals.

Eligible Countries by Region

• Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
• East Asia and the Pacific: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, and Vietnam
• Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Türkiye, and Ukraine
• Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Palestinian Territories
• South and Central Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
• Western Hemisphere: Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela

Benefits of the IREX Community Solutions Program 2024:

The Community Solutions Program offers several valuable benefits to its participants:

1. Monthly Allowance: Fellows receive a monthly allowance to cover expenses related to housing, meals, and everyday living costs during their stay in the USA.
2. J-1 Visa Support: The program assists in obtaining the J-1 visa, which is required for participation.
3. Travel Coverage: The CSP covers round-trip travel expenses from the participant's home city to the United States, ensuring a smooth transition.
4. Health Coverage: Participants receive comprehensive health coverage for accidents and illnesses during the program.
5. Accessibility Support: The program ensures that the needs of all participants, including those with accessibility requirements, are met. This includes ADA-compliant rooms for in-person training, software like JAWS, and community support and training to enable full engagement.
6. Leadership Enhancement: The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their leadership skills and develop a global perspective.
7. Cultural Exposure: Fellows can live and work in the United States, gaining exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives, enriching their personal and professional growth.

Application Procedure:

• The application period for the program opens on October 5, 2023. Visit the "Application link" below to initiate the application process.
• Please note that all applications must be completed online. Submissions via mail, fax, or email to IREX will not be considered.
• Ensure that you respond to all mandatory questions. If a required question doesn't apply to you, please input "N/A" (not applicable).
• Apart from names and locations, please provide all responses in English. Applications in languages other than English will not be considered for the Community Solutions Program.
• It's important to submit only one application. Your eligibility will be affected if you submit two applications using different email addresses.
• Please note that the U.S. Department of State determines eligibility requirements, and exceptions cannot be made. If, after reviewing the application instructions, you have additional questions, please email [email protected]

Application Deadline:

The deadline for applying to the Community Solutions Program in the USA is November 1, 2023.

Application link: https://tinyurl.com/yckuk7h6

Official website: https://tinyurl.com/mwjvsmb4