U.S. Embassy Tashkent - PDS - Youth Empowerment Through International Exchange

Overview

The rapid economic development and the expansion of international relations between Uzbekistan and the rest of the world have created a tremendous need for citizens who have the knowledge and skills to act as key interlocutors and implement the Government of Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform agenda into the future. With most of the population under the age of 30, there is a critical need to support youth-focused programming in order to prepare the next generation of leaders in Uzbekistan. Through exchanges to the United States, youth will be able to connect with other leaders, both from home and abroad, to make long-lasting connections that will shape their future educational and professional lives.

This funding opportunity seeks to support secondary and university students through the development of leadership skills, global citizenship, and addressing shared challenges through partnership with the United States. Grant activities should be short-term, youth-focused exchange programs, with participants spending 10 to 30 days in the United States.

Grantees are expected to publicize project activities, including through social media and/or traditional press outlets; and highlight U.S. Embassy support, with our logo included on project related materials.

The Embassy encourages applications from institutions and organizations from the United States and all regions of Uzbekistan. Implementers will be fully responsible for all elements of the program, from recruitment and preparatory logistics inside Uzbekistan, travel, and program elements in the United States.

Project Goal: Increase the capacity of emerging young leaders to address shared challenges between Uzbekistan and the United States.

Project Audience(s): Primary audiences for proposals should be youth: undergraduate (university) students ages 17-23. Depending on the focus, projects may have secondary audiences or beneficiaries including media, civil society organizations or wider professional audiences, which you may note in the proposal.

Project Themes and Objectives: 
The Embassy seeks applications that use in-person exchange programs to focus on one or more of the themes and objectives below.

1. Theme 1: Building leadership and professional skills. Program elements focused on improving leadership and professional skills could include leadership self-analysis, peer-to-peer discussions with U.S. university students and/or U.S. mentors, career building skills, volunteering and social entrepreneurship, and breakout sessions for field-specific discussion such as technology or business.
   
   Objective 1: Increase leadership, project management, public speaking, and other critical professional skills among youth through career development training and mentorship opportunities in the United States.
2. Theme 2: Developing Global Citizens. Students could gain knowledge and tools about how to impact their communities through opportunities to work with U.S. youth organizations, including in areas of women’s empowerment and strengthening civil society. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to, Service-Learning projects that address global challenges such as poverty, education, environmental sustainability, or healthcare; Global Issue Debates focusing on pressing global issues such as climate change, human rights, gender equality; and Global Citizenship workshops or lectures on topics such as global citizenship, sustainable development goals, intercultural competence, and social justice.
   
   Objective 2: Increase awareness and understanding on shared issues that impact communities in Uzbekistan and in the United States.

Anticipated program start date: October 2024

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 19.900

Funding Mechanism Type: Cooperative Agreement