YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM – U.S. PARTNER | 010 FY2021

Opportunity Information: Apply for 010 FY2021

The Youth Leadership Program - U.S. Partner grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 010 FY2021) is a U.S. Department of State program run through the U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) seeking a U.S.-based partner to design and implement a youth exchange. The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Department of State expects to stay actively involved in shaping and overseeing the program as it is carried out. The program falls under the education funding activity category (CFDA 19.900) and was announced on June 29, 2021, with an original application deadline of July 30, 2021. The funding ceiling for the single expected award is $120,000, contingent on the availability of FY 2021 AEECA funds.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. public and private non-profit organizations and accredited U.S. educational institutions (including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and public or private universities) that meet the requirements of 26 USC 501(c)(3). In practice, this means the applicant must be a qualifying U.S. entity capable of administering an international exchange program, including participant support, programming, safeguarding, and compliance responsibilities typical of U.S. government-funded exchanges.

At its core, the grant funds the design and delivery of one complete Youth Leadership Program cohort made up of 21 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina: 18 high school students ages 15 to 19 and 3 teachers. The participant group must be drawn from three communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a way that reflects the countrys diversity and administrative divisions, emphasizing inclusive representation rather than a single-city or single-community cohort. The presence of teachers is not optional; it is built into the cohort design and suggests the program is meant to have an educational multiplier effect when participants return home.

A central requirement is a substantive three- to four-week exchange in the United States that takes place in at least two different U.S. cities. The exchange must include a homestay component, signaling that cultural immersion and direct engagement with American families and community life are considered essential outcomes, not just add-ons. The expectation of multiple cities also implies programming that contrasts different local contexts in the United States (for example, different regions, civic environments, or community models) rather than keeping the entire experience in one location.

The required U.S.-based program content must combine structured learning with hands-on practice. The program should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises tied to leadership development, teambuilding, collective problem-solving, effective communication, appreciation of diversity, and management skills. The emphasis is on participants gaining both theoretical understanding and practical skills they can apply in school and community settings. Beyond general leadership development, the program must also provide an in-depth exploration of one specific theme from those outlined in the full opportunity (the notice excerpt references the themes but does not list them), meaning applicants are expected to choose a thematic focus and build a coherent curriculum around it rather than offering a broad but shallow survey.

The opportunity also places strong importance on viewpoint and identity diversity within the U.S. program. The schedule must reflect a balance of speakers and perspectives, including diverse U.S. political viewpoints and other dimensions of diversity. This is tied directly to the embassys public diplomacy goal of promoting mutual understanding between citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and citizens of the United States. As a result, applicants are expected to create many structured opportunities for participants to meet Americans from varied backgrounds, interact with U.S. peers, and engage with student and civic groups. Participants should not only attend meetings and visits but also have chances to speak about their own experiences and describe life in their home country communities, reinforcing two-way exchange rather than one-directional instruction.

Finally, the program cannot end when the group flies home. A mandatory component is continued follow-on engagement and project implementation after participants return to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This requirement signals that the grant seeks measurable downstream impact, such as alumni-led community projects, school-based initiatives, ongoing mentorship, or structured alumni networks that keep participants active and connected. Applicants therefore need to plan for post-exchange support, accountability, and a pathway for participants to translate what they learned into concrete local action.

In summary, this grant funds one U.S.-based youth leadership exchange cohort for Bosnia and Herzegovina participants, requiring a multi-city, homestay-inclusive program that blends leadership training with experiential learning, provides balanced and diverse U.S. perspectives, advances mutual understanding through real community interaction, and includes a serious post-program engagement and project component once participants return home. The single award up to $120,000 is intended for a qualified U.S. nonprofit or accredited educational institution capable of delivering both the exchange logistics and the substantive leadership curriculum while coordinating closely with the U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina under a cooperative agreement structure.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM – U.S. PARTNER" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 29, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $120,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 010 FY2021

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