The U.S. Department of State is offering a grant for Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship to develop youth leaders in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.

The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan announces an Open Competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that design a community engagement and leadership program focused on community service, action planning, conflict resolution, and social entrepreneurship for youth (ages 20 to 24) from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.

The project will entail a summer exchange in the United States for 60 college- and immediate-post-college-aged youth (approximately 20 from each participating country) that community-minded youth can use to promote and foster values related to civic education, leadership development, conflict resolution, and civic engagement. Following a three-day pre-departure orientation in their home countries that will prepare the participants to constructively engage with peers from other cultures, the groups will travel to the United States for an eight-to-ten-week exchange program. The program should include a rigorous seminar and leadership academy that provide website.

 participants with training in areas such as: entrepreneurship, negotiation, conflict resolution, community service, and action planning, followed by internships with U.S.-based community organizations.  The program should culminate in Washington, D.C. Upon re-entry to their home countries, participants will be expected to implement community projects supported by active mentorship from the recipient organization. The recipient organization should also facilitate an alumni network and a regional alumni conference.