The IREX Community Solutions Program 2027 for Community youth leaders (Fully Funded to the United States)

The IREX Community Solutions Program 2027 is a professional leadership development initiative for experienced community leaders working on regional economic growth. Participants complete a three to four-month U.S.-based exchange including a 12-week practicum with a U.S. organization, plus Innovation and Applied Skills Labs focused on economic development models. After returning home, participants implement a nine-month SCALE-Up Project to adapt and apply U.S. models in their home communities. The program runs August to November 2027, with orientation August 2–5, practicum August 9–October 29, and end-of-program workshop November 1–4. What you get • J-1 visa support • Round-trip travel from home city to the U.S. • Monthly allowance to cover housing, meals, and other living expenses while in the U.S. • Accident and sickness health coverage • Accessibility accommodations (ADA accessible rooms, software such as JAWS, community assistance and training) How to apply 1. Visit the Official Webpage of the IREX Community Solutions Program 2. Submit application by the deadline

• Between 27 and 39 years old at time of application • Citizen of an eligible country (Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia) • At least five years of experience working on community issues with demonstrated measurable benefits to local communities • Living and working in your home country at time of application (not residing or working abroad, including through academic or training programs) • Meet country-of-residence requirements • High level of proficiency in spoken and written English • Valid TOEFL score of 520 (or 213 on computer-based test) or higher, or must pass an institutional TOEFL or approved English proficiency assessment if semi-finalist • Able to begin the program in the United States in 2027 and participate in the three to four-month U.S.-based exchange • Not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and have not applied for U.S. permanent residency within the past three years • Eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa • If previously participated in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program, must have fulfilled two-year home residency requirement • Committed to returning to home country for a minimum of two years after completing the program and implementing a SCALE-Up Project