Are you in search of a leadership program? The Community Solutions Program 2025 in the USA is a distinguished leadership development initiative organized by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) in 2025. The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a year-long international fellowship designed to support community leaders dedicated to serving their local communities. Leaders from across the globe will concentrate on tackling a range of urgent issues, such as democracy and human rights, environmental challenges, peace, conflict resolution, and the rights of women. Additionally, this leadership and exchange program in the USA features a hands-on four-month internship in the United States, personalized leadership coaching, advanced training through a graduate-level leadership curriculum, and a follow-up six-month community project that fellows implement in their home countries.
Furthermore, throughout these four months, fellows develop a strong connection with IREX in the United States. This US exchange program, which covers all expenses, provides a comprehensive professional experience that broadens the fellows’ perspectives and molds them into influential leaders of the future. The primary goal of the Community Solutions Program is to enable enthusiastic community leaders to create a positive impact in tackling the economic, environmental, political, and social challenges faced by their communities. This fully funded fellowship allows fellows to act as ambassadors, promoting mutual understanding.
Additionally, the IREX international fellowship is a project backed by the US Department of State and funded by the US Government. This fellowship in the USA provides participants the opportunity to engage with the Community Leadership Institute as a key aspect of their experience. Since 2010, the CSP has supported 832 fellows from 89 countries in developing their leadership skills. Program graduates have positively influenced more than 629,000 individuals through their community development initiatives. The IREX Community Solutions Program in the USA presents a remarkable opportunity for community leaders to broaden their perspectives. Enroll in this training program to enhance your leadership abilities!
Criteria for Eligibility in the IREX Community Solutions Program:
- All applicants for this CSP fellowship in the USA must be aged between 26 and 39 as of 13 November 2024.
- Applicants are required to be citizens of one of the countries deemed eligible as outlined in the program.
- Additionally, candidates must qualify for a US J-1 visa.
- Furthermore, candidates must not be US citizens or permanent residents and should not have submitted an application for US permanent residency in the last three years.
- Candidates must have at least two years of experience in community development, whether as full-time or part-time employees or volunteers.
- Applicants must be residing and employed in their home country at the time of application. Therefore, particular attention may be directed towards individuals with refugee status who are striving to support their home communities.
- Additionally, those who are presently involved in academic, training, or research programs in the United States do not qualify for the Community Solutions Program.
- Applicants must be prepared to travel to the USA for a duration of four months, specifically from August to December 2025.
- At the time of application, proficiency in both spoken and written English is required. Semifinalists must take and pass an English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) or submit recent scores.
- Candidates are required to pledge their return to their home country upon the completion of the program.
- Individuals applying must not be current employees or consultants of IREX, nor immediate family members of IREX employees.
CSP Project Activities:
Four-month Fellowship:
- Fellows complete a four-month-long fellowship where they collaborate with American colleagues on projects related to their community’s challenges.
- Community Leadership Institute:
- This central component of the program is a leadership academy. It offers customized learning and coaching to fellows before, during and after their US experience.
Community-based Initiatives:
- In partnership with their US host organizations, fellows will have the opportunity to create innovative community projects.
International Network of Community Development Professionals:
- Alumni remain in touch and collaborate with like-minded leaders worldwide through alumni activities and the online platform of the Community Leadership Institute
Advantages of the Community Solutions Program 2025:
- The 2025 Community Solutions Program offers a monthly stipend to assist with housing, meals, and various daily living expenses throughout the duration of the stay in the USA.
- The program also offers assistance in acquiring the J-1 visa required for participation.
- The CSP includes costs for round-trip travel from the participant’s home city to the United States.
- Additionally, participants are provided with extensive health insurance for injuries and illnesses throughout the duration of the program.
- Provisions for accessibility needs, including ADA-compliant rooms for in-person training, software such as JAWS, and community assistance and training to ensure all participants can fully engage in the program are also ensured.
- The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their leadership skills.
- Fellows have the chance to live and work in the USA gaining exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
Application Process:
- It’s likely that you are considering the application process for the Community Solutions Program Fellowship.
- To begin the application process, make sure you fulfill the requirements and criteria for this USA fellowship.
- The complete application process is conducted online. Applications submitted via mail, fax, or email to IREX will not be accepted.
- It is essential to respond to mandatory questions. If a required question is not relevant to you, kindly enter “N/A” (not applicable).
- Except for names and locations, please provide all responses in English. Applications that are not submitted in English will be ineligible for the Community Solutions Program in the USA for the year 2025.
- In the same vein, candidates are advised to submit a single application only. Applicants who submit two applications with different email addresses will be deemed ineligible.
- Deadline for the Community Solutions Program: The deadline to apply for the Community Solutions Program is 13 November 2024.
