CSP IREX 2027 : Programme Leadership Jeunesse USA – 2 novembre 2026

Contexte

Applications are now open for the 2027 IREX Community Solutions Program. The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a professional leadership development program for experienced, results-oriented community leaders working to advance locally driven regional economic growth and community prosperity. CSP equips participants with practical leadership and technical skills, professional connections, and hands-on experience to strengthen their ability to address economic development challenges in their communities. Participants complete an approximately three- to four-month U.S.-based exchange, including a 12-week practicum with a U.S. organization, and gain practical experience they can apply to their work at home. Following the U.S. exchange, participants return home to implement a community-based SCALE-Up Project that applies their CSP learning to advance local or regional economic development.

Missions et responsabilités

• Three-month fellowship in the United States: Community Solutions participants complete a Three-month, hands-on professional practicum with a U.S. host organization, working alongside U.S. professionals to strengthen technical and leadership skills.
• Regional field visits: Exposure to innovative U.S. models of economic development and collaboration among businesses, Chambers of Commerce, workforce and educational institutions, local government, and community organizations.
• Innovation and Applied Skills Labs: Practical, hands-on skill building to help adapt and expand U.S. models of regional economic development, exploring emerging technologies including SI.
• SCALE-Up Projects: Implementation of a nine-month SCALE-Up Project after the practicum, adapting at least one U.S. model, tool, or partnership approach to advance regional economic growth in the home community.

Profil recherché

• You are between the ages of 27 and 39 at the time of application.
• You are a citizen of a country listed on the official application website.
• You have at least five years of experience working on community issues and can demonstrate measurable benefits to local communities.
• You are living and working in your country at the time of application and are not residing or working outside your country, including through an academic, training, or research program.
• You meet the country-of-residence requirements described below.
• You have a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English at the time of application.
• Semi-finalists without a valid TOEFL score of 520 (or 213 on computer-based test) or higher must take an Institutional TOEFL or comparable approved English assessment.
• You are able to begin the CSP program in the U.S. in 2027 and participate in the 3-4 month exchange (Orientation August 2–5, practicum August 9–October 29, End-of-Program Workshop November 1–4, 2027).
• You are not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and have not applied for U.S. permanent residency within the past three years.
• You are eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
• Applicants who participated in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program must have fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement.
• You are committed to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after completing the program and implementing a SCALE-Up Project.
• Eligible African countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda.
• Eligible MENA countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia.

Conditions et avantages

• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip travel from participants’ home city to the U.S.
• Monthly allowance to cover housing, meals, and other living expenses while in the U.S.
• Accident and sickness health coverage
• Accessibility accommodations (ADA accessible rooms, software such as JAWS, community assistance and training)

Dossier de candidature

• Application form completed via the official application website
• Valid proof of English proficiency (TOEFL score if applicable)
• Documentation demonstrating at least five years of community development experience

Comment postuler

Applications must be submitted online before the application deadline of 24 November 2026. For complete information and to access the application portal, visit the Official Webpage of the IREX Community Solutions Program.