Purpose

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Youth Ambassadors Africa Educational and Cultural Exchange Program for FY 2025 (YA-AF) enables youth mentors (ages 15 to 18 years) selected by U.S. embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan African countries to interact with their peers in U.S. school- and community- based settings.  During the three-week exchange, participants engage in activities intended to strengthen awareness and understanding of civic engagement and leadership.  Funding supports the planning and implementation of travel and exchange activities, as well as a post-exchange period in which benefits are shared with participants' home communities.

Eligible Entities

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply for funding:

• U.S. public and private educational institutions, and
• U.S. not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental
  organizations.

Organizations also must demonstrate four years of experience in conducting international exchanges to be eligible to apply under this competition.

Eligible Activities

Over the three-week exchange period, applicant proposals must provide multiple opportunities for U.S. and African teenagers to interact while developing participants' knowledge and skill base in civic engagement and leadership development.  Applicants should plan a variety of creative, practical and hands-on school and community activities such as the following:

• workshops on civic education,
• discussion about and engagement in community service,
• cultural, social and political events that provide a range of perspectives,
• preparation of articles/digital media content to share exchange experiences.

Applicants must also schedule a visit to Washington, DC in which participants will meet with U.S. Department of State officials.  In addition, they must supervise, monitor and counsel participants as necessary to ensure a safe and pedagogically rich program.

Award

Number of Awards Anticipated:  1

Award Amount: approximately $1,000,000

Cost Sharing:  No

Funding Instrument Type:  Cooperative Agreement