FY 2025 Youth Ambassadors Africa Program

The FY 2025 Youth Ambassadors Africa Program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, under the Office of Citizen Exchanges, Youth Programs Division. This program aims to support youth and adult mentor exchanges from sub-Saharan African countries to the United States in 2026, promoting civic engagement and leadership development. The program spans three weeks and emphasizes cultural exchange, community service, and educational enrichment through structured, interactive experiences. This initiative is designed to cultivate knowledge and skills related to civic engagement and leadership among African youth. It includes hands-on workshops, community service activities, meetings with U.S. community leaders, and interaction with American peers. A key goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of U.S. society, democratic institutions, and values, while fostering cross-cultural connections. Adult mentors will have tailored programming to help them support youth development initiatives upon return to their home countries. The total funding available for FY 2025 is $1,000,000, and individual proposals must allocate at least $6,000 in participant support to ensure inclusivity for individuals with disabilities or financial hardship. Applicants must budget for participant pre-program domestic travel needs within Africa, estimated at approximately $500 per participant. Additional costs such as travel, orientations, accommodations, group meals, and follow-on activities are allowable under the budget guidelines. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public or private institutions of higher education. All applicants must submit a full proposal via Grants.gov using the approved formats (Word, Excel, PDF, ASCII Text, JPEG). Proposals must include a narrative addressing objectives, program logistics, performance monitoring, and a detailed line-item budget with justifications. Required forms include SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, among others, with optional attachments such as resumes, letters of endorsement, and first-time applicant documents. Applications must adhere strictly to the guidelines and deadlines stated in the solicitation. The proposal close date is not listed in the POGI document, but inquiries can be directed to Gretchen Wietmarschen at wietmarschengm@state.gov or (202) 826-4284. All communication and promotional materials must acknowledge the U.S. Department of State’s support and comply with ECA’s branding and communication guidelines. The program also includes a robust follow-on component, requiring recipients to support participants in implementing community service projects in their home countries. This includes mentoring, resource provision, and alumni networking opportunities. Regular updates and coordination with U.S. embassies and ECA are mandatory throughout the project lifecycle, and site visits by ECA may be conducted to ensure compliance and progress.

Proposals should be complete, well-justified, and aligned with ECA guidelines.