Applications for the 2025 Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) program are now open for applications. It is a fully funded exchange program of IREX (USA). The CEE program is made up of global entrepreneurial innovators who are committed to addressing the pressing issues of the 21st century in their communities. 

The program equips passionate leaders with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to generate diverse perspectives and build healthy, engaged communities in more than 100 countries. The program is a transformative, year-long leadership development experience designed for civic leaders ages 21-27.

The Community Partnership Exchange focuses on civic dialogue and peace, open and participatory government, women and gender, environmental sustainability and youth engagement.

Benefits of Local Communication Exchanges

If you are selected for the Community Engagement Exchange Program, you will receive the following benefits. 

1. Financial Assistance:Your expenses in the program, including J-1 visa assistance, travel to the US. including transportation, monthly allowance for housing, food, and other living expenses, as well as health benefits.

2. Three months in the United States:You will interact with American civil society organizations and gain hands-on professional experience with the support of selected supervisors and peers.

3. Academy of Leadership and Citizenship: An interactive curriculum that includes service learning, face-to-face training, mentoring, professional development, and inclusion in global networks.

4. Community Engagement Project (CEP): Develop and implement a community engagement project in your home country in the US. under the guidance of hospitality organizations and consultants.

5. CEP Exchange: Your host organization and CEE specialists travel to your country to support implementation of your project and share insights to strengthen communities both in the U.S. and abroad.

Also check out: Western Union Foundation Fellowship

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for Community Engagement Exchange Program, you must fulfill the criteria below:

• You must be 21-27 years of age 
• Citizen of an eligible country (Check the List below)
• Currently living and working in your home country at the time of application (special consideration for individuals with refugee status working on behalf of their home community)
• Minimum of two years of professional or volunteer experience in community or civil society issues
• Engaged in a community engagement initiative in a professional or volunteer capacity, with a demonstrated intent to pursue a career in civil society
• Able to begin the program in the U.S. in 2025
• Eligible for a U.S. J-1 Visa
• Committed to returning to their home country to implement a community-based project after completing the program
• Proficient in spoken and written English (semi-finalists will take a Duolingo English test)

Ineligible Candidates

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the U.S. or abroad
• Individuals residing or working outside their home country (unless holding special refugee status)
• Past participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs who have not met the two-year home residency requirement
• Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years
• Other criteria as determined in consultation with ECA and federal agencies

List of Eligible Countries

African Countries 

Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

East Asia and the Pacific

 Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietnam

Europe and Eurasia

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Türkiye, Ukraine

Middle East and North Africa

 Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Palestinian Territories

South and Central Asia

 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Western Hemisphere

Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

Deadline of Community Engagment Exchange Program

The last date to apply for the Community Engagement Exchange Program is July 2, 2024.

How to apply for a Community Engagement Exchange Program ?

If you are eligible for the program, and complete all the requirements, you can apply online. You can submit your application for the 2025 Community Engagment Exchange (CEE) program at the official website. 

If you are a new user, you can sign up, and if you already have an account, you can login and start your application. The application includes at least 10 questions regarding your experience, projects, and future plans. 

Complete your application, and submit before the deadline. For more information, and application click the link below, 

For any questions, please refer to the CEE Program Frequently Asked Questions document or email apply.CEE@irex.org.

No not forget to share with your friends, peers, and those who can benefit from the Community Engagment Exchange Program. 

You can also watch Video on How to Apply for the Fellowship.