Description
The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) invites proposal submissions from Bosnia and Herzegovinian (BiH) public and private non-profit organizations to implement the Youth Leadership and Teacher Professional Development Program, pending the availability of FY 2022 AEECA funds. This NOFO is for the implementation of the BiH component of the Youth Leadership Program. Mandatory Components: 1. The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) should be organized for 18 high school students aged 15-19, and 3 teachers from three communities in BiH to reflect the country’s diversity and administrative divisions, for a total of 21 participants in one program. 2. The Youth Leadership Program is a substantive three to four week exchange program in the United States, and it takes place in at least two different cities. The program should incorporate a pre-departure orientation in Sarajevo and an 8-month period during which participants conduct a Community Action Project (CAP) in their hometowns. 3. The program should include group discussions, experiential learning activities, and exercises that focus on the themes outlined below and include aspects of leadership, teambuilding, collective problem-solving skills, effective communication, appreciation of diversity, and management skills. Participants should gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. 4. The program should represent diverse BiH political and social viewpoints, as well as other aspects of diversity. The program should foster the Embassy’s mission to promote mutual understanding between citizens of other countries and citizens of the United States. 5. The program should include a monitoring plan for follow-on engagement and project implementation once participants return home. In addition to developing participants’ leadership skills, the program should provide participants with an in-depth examination of one of the themes outlined below. Youth Leadership Program Themes: The Youth Leadership Program will introduce participants to a comprehensive survey of civic education, community service, and youth leadership development. Activities will focus on building their knowledge and skill levels in these areas. The students and educators will participate in workshops, community service activities, meetings with community leaders, and discussion groups and will have opportunities for substantive interaction with each other and their American peers. The program should explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism in the modern age. The Program should require participants to develop innovative and practical plans to become engaged citizens in their own communities and to implement an action plan to address a particular need. Detailed Outline of Award Recipient’s Responsibilities: 1) Preparation a) In cooperation with Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), participate in the recruitment and selection of the program participants. b) In consultation with PDS, hire psychologists and other staff necessary for project implementation. c) In cooperation with PDS, and the American implementing partner, conduct a pre-departure orientation for participants in Sarajevo, providing general and program-specific information, as well as intercultural training. d) Administer the booking of flights and purchasing plane tickets for participants’ travel to U.S. e) Administer per diem and travel allowances for the participants for pre-departure, departure, and arrival. f) Provide logistical support for the program participants (renting of the conference rooms, hotels, organization of local transportation for pre-departure orientation, departure, and arrival, etc.) g) Optional: One to two team members travel to the U.S. to participate in 7 days of activities with program participants and the U.S. partner, in cooperation with the U.S. partner and PDS. 2) Follow-on Activities a) In cooperation with PDS, provide additional follow-on instruction and practical skills training to implement their projects after the conclusion of the program. b) Provide logistical support for the program participants in participating cities (renting of the conference rooms, hotels, organization of the local transportation for follow-on activities, etc.) c) Provide a closing session to summarize project activities, prepare participants to present their follow-on activities to U.S. partners and the U.S. Embassy d) In cooperation with PDS, organize follow-up gatherings with program participants and their parents in participating cities and Sarajevo. 3) Alumni Activities a) In cooperation with PDS, organize a reunion of the alumni program participants. 4) Design and implement an evaluation plan that assesses the impact of the program. 5) Work in consultation with PDS in the implementation of the program, provide timely reporting of progress, and comply with financial and program reporting requirements. 6) Manage all financial aspects of the cooperative agreement, including per-diem disbursements to the participants and management of sub-award relationships with partner organizations. Detailed Outline of the PDS’s Responsibilities: 1) Provide assistance in managing the recruitment and selection of the participants. 2) Make the final decision on program participants. 3) Provide advice and assistance in the execution of all program components. 4) Provide assistance for visa interviews for the participants. 5) Facilitate interaction within the Department of State, to include ECA, the regional bureaus, and post. 6) Arrange meetings with Department of State/Embassy officials if necessary. 7) Approve host family applications, publicity materials, and the calendar of exchange activities. 8) Monitor and evaluate the program, through regular communication with the award recipient and possibly one or more site visits. 9) Perform an annual performance evaluation/review. Satisfactory performance and the availability of funds is a condition of continued administration of the program and execution of all option years.