Open Call for American Mentors

usmentorsOrganizations and individuals, who are actively involved in the legislative process and/or in policy-making through their work in government, civic education organizations, citizen advocacy groups, community activists, or community organizers working with minority populations, are invited to apply for participation as a U.S. host organization and/or as a U.S. mentor. We encourage professionals and their organization to submit their application to take part in an exchange program with matching participants from four Central and Eastern European countries.

We are looking for U.S. organizations that are interested in acting as volunteer hosts for 2-3 incoming professionals for a 4-week internship program at their U.S. workplace. They should be able to provide a professional development opportunity for up-and-coming and mid-level professionals from Central and Eastern Europe and help them learn American methods in sustaining civic participation in minority communities while comparing experiences.

Host organizations are also asked to place the guests with volunteer host families where they will learn about American culture and family life and can become involved in volunteer activities in their host family’s own community. U.S. host organizations will work closely with WSOS/ Great Lakes Consortium in planning and implementing the internship program.

Participation in this exchange from the U.S. side is a multi-phase program. 36 participants (9 from each selected European country) are included in two delegations: the first delegation will be from April 19 – June 2, 2017 and the second delegation will be from October 4 – November 17, 2017. A portion of fellows’ visit consists of a 4-week internship experience between April 24-May 22 or October 11-November 8 at various host sites across the U.S.  .  European participants are professionals between 25 and 40 years of age, who are creative and innovative, have accomplishments in solving issues in minority communities, and who can make a large impact with implementing new ideas and changes. Participants will have good organizational and management skills, be active members of their local community, be interested in long-term international cooperation, have good communication and presentation skills, and be receptive to modem technology.  The internship experience will be tailored to the individual fellow’s background and interest. All European participants speak English well and will be carefully selected by an international selection committee.

Deadline

The application deadline for US host organizations and mentors is extended until January 15, 2017

Note

Organizations & mentors who hosted before should contact directly Elizabeth Balint at glc_teachdemocracy4@hotmail.com for a different application form.

Open Call for the Fall 2016 Professional Fellowship Program

1Spring Congress 3 046We are inviting people interested to apply for the Fall 2016 Professional Fellowship Exchange Program by 10th February 2016. 

We invite professionals from any region of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia to apply for participation in a 42-day fellowship in the U.S.A. We encourage submissions by professionals who are actively involved in programs related to citizen participation and advocacy (NGO/civil society development), civic education organizations, citizen advocacy groups, community activists and/or community organizers who work with minority groups. The overall goal of the program is to provide a professional development opportunity for mid-level emerging leaders; create a forum for American and foreign participants to collaborate and share ideas and strategies; and build a global network of professionals able to work effectively in an interconnected environment.


Read the announcement Announcement for 2016

Download the application Application Form 2016 

Download the pre-departure action plan Pre-Departure Action Plan Form 2016

Please note that you should send all required documents in order to be eligible for the program.