NOFO: Young Leaders Empowerment Workshops (Israel)

America Hub Israel is a U.S. Embassy-affiliated educational and cultural institution that seeks to connect a diverse range of Israeli citizens to the values that underpin American society—democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation. The Hub prioritizes engagement with students and young professionals 15 to 35 years old through a wide variety of programming and via strategic partnerships.  Its activities encourage participants to take part in constructive dialogue and identify solutions to shared challenges while fostering understanding of U.S. policy, values, and culture.

The Hub’s programs include cultural offerings, lectures, panel discussions, information sessions, skills building courses, and educational workshops on the subjects of democratic values, the American experience, U.S.-Israel relations, diplomacy, technology and innovation, social entrepreneurship, English, leadership, and higher education in the United States.

Objectives

• Advance the values of democracy, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, and innovation;
• Promote understanding of U.S.-Israel relations and U.S. foreign policy priorities;
• Guide participants in developing soft skills related to leadership, mentoring, networking, social entrepreneurship, critical thinking, creative problem solving, and teamwork;
• Create communities and networks of youth and young professionals that support the goals of the Hub and U.S. Embassy Jerusalem;
• Provide as a safe space for Jewish and Arab future leaders to meet and pursue mutual goals.

Program Goals

• This workshop series will equip a group of 15-20 young leaders selected by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem to participate in regular soft skills training opportunities. Over the course of one year, the grantee will lead participants in a program that equips them with the expertise they need to be effective community leaders and make a positive impact in their field of choice. Participants will also have the option of developing and leading a community engagement activity that aligns with U.S. policy priorities.
• Workshop topics can include but are not limited to:
  • Conflict Resolution and Negotiation: moot courts, debate, role-play and scenarios for solving conflict, including adaptive leadership elements
  • Conflict Management: dealing with change/conflict, reacting to change and adversity, thriving in difficult situations
  • Nonviolent Communication: active listening, speaking, triggers and emotions, reading sub-text of social interactions, including elements of interpersonal communication
  • Storytelling, Narrative, and Public Speaking: the art of storytelling based on Gant or other formats
  • Problem Solving: problem identification and solution, including design thinking and innovation
  • Team Building: community building exercises to strengthen the group’s cohesiveness
  • Decision Making: effective decision-making techniques, including elements of goal setting, strategy, etc.

Funding Information

• Total Available Funding: Approximately $25,000 USD
• Award Amounts: Up to $25,000 USD
• Length of Performance Period: Up to one year
• Number of Awards Anticipated: One

Funding Restrictions

• The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity
  • Charitable or development activities
  • Construction projects
  • Projects that support specific religious activities or promote only one faith/religion
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
  • Academic or scientific research
  • Projects intended primarily for the growth/institutional development or maintenance of the applicant organization or its partner organizations
  • Unsolicited proposals

Program Audience 

• Israeli students and young professionals 18-28 years old from diverse backgrounds who demonstrate potential as future leaders, innovators, and civically engaged members of society.

Eligibility Criteria

• Local and international:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
  • Public and private educational institutions
  • Individuals
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
• To be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Israel.