Deadline: March 18, 2022.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development defines economic empowerment as the capacity of women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit from growth processes in ways that recognize the value of their contributions, respect their dignity, and make it possible to negotiate a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth. The six-week Professional Fellows Program (PFP) for Economic Empowerment, Middle East and North Africa is a two-way exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities through social entrepreneurship and workforce development.

PROGRAM COMPNENT

• Professional Fellows Congress: Both the fall 2022 and spring 2023 programs will conclude with a 3-day “Professional Fellows Congress” in Washington, DC. This event will bring together approximately 350 fellows from around the world. Fellows will have the opportunity to build relationships with fellows from dozens of countries and learn the tools of effective leadership.
• Follow-on Project Development: Each fellow will spend time developing an idea for a follow-on project to be implemented upon returning home. Fellows will participate in a number of training sessions to learn project design skills and write a project proposal during their time in the US.
• Outbound Program: US delegates who acted as hosts or mentors during the US immersion segment will be selected to travel to Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, or Tunisia to co-lead training seminars and gain first-hand knowledge of the country and its people. Fellows will assist in planning the US Delegation’s visit and hosting them.

ELIGIBILITY

• 25-40 years old at the start of the program (Fall 2022 or Spring 2023)
• A current citizen and resident of: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, or Tunisia
• Speak fluent English (enough to work full-time in a US fellowship)
• Have at least two years‘ work experience in their field 
• Currently employed
• Interest in hosting reciprocal program for Americans in your country
• Have demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to community
• Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and openness 
• Preference will be given to those who have not previously traveled on a U.S. government funded program.

BENEFITS

• Effective practices in business management (developing a business plan, financing and accounting, human resource management, marketing, strategic planning, and networking, etc.);
• Principles of social entrepreneurship and increase the ability to run effective community outreach and public relations campaigns;
• Best practices from American colleagues in workforce development, gain exposure to models and innovative and practical ideas and tools in increase effectiveness of these programs;
• Increase the ability to think “outside of the box,” and spark creative, innovative approaches to problems, products, and marketplaces;
• Acquire new skills and strategies to engage effectively with policymakers and government officials;
• Form new or improved strategic partnerships.

OFFICIAL LINK