The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) for Economic Empowerment

Application Deadline: November 30th 2019

The Professional Fellows Program (PFP) for Economic Empowerment, Middle East and North Africa is a two-way exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders committed to strengthening their communities through social entrepreneurship and workforce development.

PFP Fellows are placed in intensive fellowships in non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, and government offices for an individually tailored professional development experience.  They build a broad network with American and other program participant colleagues as they develop a deeper understanding of U.S. society, enhance their professional skills.  American participants who have hosted foreign fellows travel overseas for participant-driven reciprocal programs.

Since 2010 Legacy International has hosted more than 225 Professional Fellows from the countries of Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia and Oman.

• Entrepreneurs and Social Innovators.
• Small & medium business Owners and Managers who are investing in innovative socially conscious products and programs.
• Individuals working in Civil Society/NGOs working on youth workforce training and development, increasing the role of marginalized populations in the economy, building financial literacy, training in technology use and IT development, and other efforts around economic empowerment.
• Individuals working in  University incubators, accelerators, and job-readiness programs, and programs focusing on business development, financial literacy, sustainable tourism, or economic development.
• Individuals working in Government Agencies/Ministries, national policy offices, think-tanks, and offices working to increase the presence of underrepresented citizens in the economy.

Eligible candidates must be:

• 25-38 years old at time of application.
• A current citizen and resident of: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, or Lebanon
• Speak fluent to English (enough to work full-time in a US fellowship)
• Have at least two years‘ work experience in their field 
• Currently employed
• Interest in hosting reciprocal program for Americans in your country
• Have demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to community
• Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and openness 
• Preference will be given to those who have not previously traveled on a U.S. government funded program.

Program Details

• Pre and post program virtual exchange and online training activities
• 6-week US-based program including a business development and social entrepreneurship intensive with University Partner, four week Fellowship placement in businesses and/or offices in Washington, D.C. and One-week host family stay.
• US professionals to visit the Fellows they hosted in the US, learn about their countries and cultures, and support their follow-on work
• follow-on projects to be carried out by PFP Fellows after returning home, supported by mini-grants.

Benefits:

If you are selected as a finalist, Legacy International and the US Department of State will cover all costs associated with your international travel, visa, and basic living costs in the U.S.

Selected fellow will learn:

• Effective practices in business management (developing a business plan, financing and accounting, human resource management, marketing, strategic planning, and networking, etc.);
• Principles of social entrepreneurship and increase the ability to run effective community outreach and public relations campaigns;
• Best practices from American colleagues in workforce development, gain exposure to models and innovative and practical ideas and tools in increase effectiveness of these programs;
• Increase the ability to think “outside of the box,” and spark creative, innovative approaches to problems, products, and marketplaces;
• Acquire new skills and strategies to engage effectively with policymakers and government officials;
• Form new or improved strategic partnerships.

 Other Program Components

• Both the spring and fall programs will conclude with a 4-day “Professional Fellows Congress” in Washington, DC. This event will bring approximately 350  fellows from around the world together at the end of their fellowship. Fellows will have the opportunity to build relationships with fellows from dozens of countries and learn the tools of effective leadership.

•  Each fellows will spend time developing an idea for a follow-on project to be implemented upon returning home.  Fellows will participate in a number of training sessions to learn project design skills and write a project proposal during their time in the US.
• US delegates who acted as hosts or mentors during the US immersion segment will be selected to travel to Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, or Tunisia to co-lead training seminars and gain first-hand knowledge of the country and its people. Fellows will assist in planning the US Delegation’s visit and hosting them.

2020 DATES

• Spring Delegation (Tunisia & Morocco):  April 18 – May 29, 2020.
• Fall Delegation: (Egypt, Algeria, Libya & Lebanon):  October 10 – November 19,  2020.  

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the U.S. Department of State 2020/2021 Professional Fellows Program