Funded Fellowships in the USA for Entrepreneurs from Legacy International

Legacy International is offering a 6-week Professional Fellows Program (PFP) in the USA to citizens of Algeria, Egypt, and Lebanon who have strong leadership skills and are committed to making a lasting positive impact in their communities through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Who Should Apply?

• Entrepreneurs and Social Innovators.
• Small & medium business Owners and Managers who are investing in innovative socially conscious products and programs.
• Individuals working in Civil Society/NGOs working on youth workforce training and development, increasing the role of marginalized populations in the economy, building financial literacy, training in technology use and IT development, and other efforts around economic empowerment.
• Individuals working in University incubators, accelerators, and job-readiness programs, and programs focusing on business development, financial literacy, sustainable tourism, or economic development.
• Individuals working in Government Agencies/Ministries, national policy offices, think-tanks, and offices working to increase the presence of underrepresented citizens in the economy.

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible candidates must be:

• 25-38 years old at the time of application.
• A current citizen and resident of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, or Lebanon.
• Speak fluently in 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 a reciprocal program for Americans in your country.
• Have demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to the community.
• Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and openness.
• Preference will be given to those who have not previously traveled on a U.S. government-funded program.

Program Details & Benefits:

Fellows will participate in a 6-week program, (Spring and Fall, 2020) each with:

• A one-week host family stay.
• One-Week business development and social entrepreneurship are intensive with University Partner.
• A one-month fellowship placement in individual businesses and/or offices in Washington, D.C.
• 4- days Participation in the Professional Fellows Congress.
• Design and development of a complete proposal for follow-on projects to be carried out by PFP fellows, supported by mini-grants.

The Selected Fellow will Learn:

• 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 to increase the 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.

Selection Criteria:

• Participants are selected through a merit-based, competitive application process.
• Each complete application is read by at least two evaluators who have been trained to evaluate and score applications and who have experience with prior exchange programs.
• Semi-finalists will be interviewed by a 3-person interview panel in your country.
• Finalists will be notified and then apply for the necessary visa (called a J-1 visa).

Funding:

The fellowship will cover all costs of travel, visa, and basic living costs in the United States.

About Legacy International:

The institute was founded in 1979, as the Institute for Practical Idealism and later known as Legacy International which was inspired by J.E. Rash’s vision. The institute has been helping people develop and refine the skills to effectively and sustainably address the needs of their societies in a way conducive to their local circumstances through an emphasis on building long-lasting relationships around shared universal values. Legacy International work has spanned 105 countries and impacted over 675,000 people.

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