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Application Deadline: November 2nd, 2022
The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a year-long professional leadership development program for people who are working to improve their communities by addressing issues related to the environment, peace and conflict resolution, transparency and accountability, and women and gender. Community leaders will be selected to participate in the program that includes:
- Four-month fellowship in the United States: Community Solutions fellows are matched with host organizations throughout the U.S. where they complete a four-month, hands-on professional experience
- Community Leadership Institute: Community Solutions fellows participate in the Community Leadership Institute, a leadership training program designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills. The Institute includes face-to-face trainings, online courses, professional coaching, and networking
- Community-based initiatives: While in the U.S. and with the support of their U.S. host organization, Community Solutions fellows design and plan a community development initiative or project to carry out after they return home. Once the fellows depart the U.S., they put these projects into action in their home communities
Benefits
The program covers the cost of most expenses associated with:
- J-1 visa support
- Round-trip travel from participants’ home city to the U.S.
- Monthly allowance to cover housing, meals, and other living expenses while in the U.S. and
- Accident and sickness health coverage
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Community Solutions Program, applicants must meet the requirements listed below. Applications that do not meet these eligibility requirements will be disqualified and will not be reviewed by the selection committee.
- You are between the ages of 25 and 38 as of January 1, 2023
- You are a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed below
- You are living and working in your home country
- Individuals with refugee status working on behalf of their home community may be given special consideration
- You have at least two years of experience working on community development, either as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer
- You are not currently participating in an academic, training, or research program in the U.S.
- You have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English at the time of application
- Semifinalists will be required to take or submit recent scores for a TOEFL or IELTS English language test
- You are available to travel to the U.S. for four months from August to December 2023
- You are not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and have not applied for U.S. permanent residency within the past three years
- You are eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa
- Applicants who have participated in an exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government must have fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement
- You are committed to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing the program and
- You are not a current IREX employee or consultant, or their immediate family member
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
- Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and West Bank/Palestinian Territories
Timeline
- October 5, 2022 Application opens
- November 2, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. EST Application deadline
- November 10, 2022 Identified 2nd round applicants notified to complete interview recording
- November 10 – November 27, 2022 2nd round applications reviewed by selection committee
- November 10 – December 4, 2022 2nd round applicants complete interview recording
- December 15, 2022 CSP semifinalists notified
- December 15, 2022 – January 5, 2023 CSP semifinalist interviews reviewed by selection committee
- December 15, 2022 – January 15, 2023 CSP semifinalists submit CV
- February 14, 2023 CSP applicants notified if selected as a finalist or alternate
- February 28, 2023 Deadline to accept finalist or alternate status (pending English exam)
- March – May 2023 CSP finalists and alternates take English language tests (if required)
- May 19, 2023 Remaining alternates notified they have not been selected as a finalist
- June 2023 Online pre-departure orientation for CSP fellows
- August 2023 CSP fellows travel to the U.S. and participate in the Welcome Orientation
- August – December 2023 CSP fellows complete a four-month practicum at a U.S.- based host organization
- December 2023 CSP fellows participate in the End of Program Workshop and then return to their home countries
- December 2023 – June 2024 CSP fellows complete their community-based initiatives
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the IREX Community Solutions Program 2023/2024
