The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has announced an open competition for organizations interested in implementing an exchange program to build a cadre of young leaders from marginalized communities to serve as the next generation of human rights advocates.
The goal of the exchange is to expose South African and U.S. high school students to our shared history of progress as a means of helping students acquire critical skills in civic leadership, community advocacy, and policy planning. Through the exchange, students will gain a greater appreciation for U.S. and South African historic milestones in civil and human rights as well as better understand how to provide solutions for social inequality, gender-based violence, and economic disenfranchisement.
Specifically, the program will allow Young Advocates to:
Tour historic monuments and national treasures to gain a fuller appreciation of U.S. and South African shared histories in civil and human rights.
Meet social service organizations, local influencers, and academic leaders enhancing the rights of marginalized communities through policy reform.
Create opportunities to understand strategic planning, marketing, and community advocacy for greater organizational and civic leadership.
Participate in team building exercises, which focus on service, justice, and social impact.
Raise the confidence, networks, and academic resources for low-income students to serve as key human rights advocates for change in their communities.
Funding Information
Estimated Total Program Funding: $125,000
Award Ceiling: $125,000
Award Floor: $20,000
Participants and Audiences
The exchange program should include high school students from South Africa and the United States (5-10 girls; 2-3 mentors) who represent economically disadvantaged and lower income households. These students should exhibit interest in service, civic leadership, and community engagement. Before departing for the exchange in the United States, students should receive a pre-departure cultural awareness training, organized and facilitated by the grantee to ensure ample understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced while living in another country.
Priority Region
Project activities must take place in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa and one to two cities in the United States, and be directed at South African secondary and U.S. high school students between the ages of 15-18 from lower-income households and historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Eligibility Criteria
The following United States and South African organizations are eligible to apply:
Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations;
Public and private educational institutions