ABOUT THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PROGRAM (CSP)
The Community Solutions Program (CSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX, provides community leaders from around the world with an intensive professional development exchange program in the United States from August to December 2021. CSP fellows gain valuable experience in community work and strengthen their capacity for leadership and development in their home countries.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• Applicants must be between the ages of 25-38 as of January 1, 2021
• Applicants must have at least two years of experience working on community development, either as a
full-time or part-time employee or volunteer
• Applicants must be living and working in their home country (individuals with refugee status working on
behalf of their home community may be given special consideration)
• Applicants must have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Four-month U.S.-based fellowship: CSP fellows are matched with non-profit organizations, private entities, and government offices across the United States where they work with U.S. colleagues on initiatives related to issues they face in their own communities. Community Solutions fellows work in one of four technical areas: energy and environmental issues, peace and conflict resolution, transparency and accountability, and women and gender issues. For example, a gender rights activist from Vietnam focused on reducing human trafficking might complete a practicum with YWCA, focusing on human trafficking issues in Houston, Texas.
Community Leadership Institute: The Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a leadership academy that provides customized learning and coaching to each CSP fellow. The CLI uses a blended learning approach, in which fellows participate in online sessions and in-person workshops, receive professional coaching, engage in experiential learning, and interact with other professionals in their field.
Community-based initiatives: CSP fellows develop innovative community action projects in collaboration with their U.S. host organizations and implement these projects after they return to their home communities, applying the new knowledge and skills gained through the U.S. practicum and Community Leadership Institute. Fellows share their projects in online portfolios, allowing them to connect and collaborate with a broad network of global change makers.
International network of community development professionals: CSP fellows continue to network and collaborate with like-minded leaders from around the world on global development issues through alumni activities such as the annual Solutions Summits which bring together CSP alumni, U.S. host organization representatives, and international thought leaders to exchange good practices and innovate solutions to shared community development challenges.
Applications Open — September 16th, 2020 to October 28th, 2020
Contact Information:
For questions, email IREX at: csp@irex.org
For more information about the program and application details, see IREX website: www.irex.org/csp; https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/community-solutions
