Community Solutions Program Application Information (Fully-funded). Apply Below
The application for the 2024 Community Solutions Program is now open! The application will be available to complete from October 5 to November 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET (Washington, DC time).
What is the Community Solutions Program (CSP)?
The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a year-long professional leadership development program designed for established community leaders committed to enhancing their communities’ well-being. It addresses a wide array of issues related to democracy and human rights, environment, peace and conflict resolution, and women and gender empowerment. CSP encompasses:
- Four-Month U.S. Fellowship: Community Solutions fellows are paired with host organizations across the United States. During this four-month period, they engage in hands-on professional practicums to enhance their technical skills and expertise.
- Community Leadership Institute: Participants in the program undertake the Community Leadership Institute—a graduate-level leadership curriculum aimed at fortifying their leadership and management capabilities. This component includes face-to-face trainings, online courses, professional coaching, and networking opportunities.
- Community-Based Initiatives: While in the U.S. and with the support of their host organizations, Community Solutions fellows conceive and plan community development initiatives or projects to be executed upon their return home. After departing the U.S., they implement a six-month follow-on project in their home communities.
Application Instructions
The application process for the 2024 Community Solutions Program will kick off on October 5, 2023. You can download detailed application instructions using the link provided below. It’s essential to review the program requirements before initiating your application to confirm your eligibility. Please bear in mind that eligibility criteria are set by the U.S. Department of State and cannot be waived. Should you have further questions after reviewing the application instructions, feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Application Resources
- [Application Instructions](insert link to download instructions)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](insert link to FAQs)
- [Financial Support](insert link to financial support details)
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Community Solutions Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Aged between 26 and 39 as of January 1, 2024
- Citizenship in one of the eligible countries (listed by region below)
- Residing and working in your home country
- Individuals with refugee status working on behalf of their home community may be given special consideration
- A minimum of two years of experience in community development, whether as a full-time or part-time employee or volunteer
- Not currently participating in an academic, training, or research program in the U.S.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English at the time of application
- Availability for travel to the U.S. for four months from August to December 2024
- Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have not applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years
- Eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa
- Prior exchange program participants sponsored by the U.S. Government must have fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement
- Committed to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing the program
- Not a current IREX employee or consultant, or an immediate family member of one
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
Accessibility Resources
The CSP team is committed to providing comprehensive disability support to fellows throughout the program, from the application process to the culmination of the fellowship. Examples of disability support services and accommodations include:
- Screen reader-friendly application
- Captioned and pre-recorded video interviews
- Accommodations for English language testing
- Mobility assistance devices as needed
- Sign language interpreting
- Live captioning and transcripts for in-person and online courses
- ADA accessible rooms for in-person events
- Software such as JAWS
- Community assistance and community training
Note about COVID-19: IREX intends to implement the Community Solutions Program in-person in the United States from August to December 2024. IREX, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust program implementation accordingly. Ensuring the safety and well-being of CSP participants, partners, and communities is and will continue to be IREX’s highest priority.
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