On-Demand Youth Leadership Program: Climate

U.S. Student Application

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (YLP):  is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by Legacy International.  This spring, two programs focussed on environmental issues will be hosted in Seattle, Washington and Pensacola, Florida.

March 9-29, 2023 Seattle will host 20 youth participants (ages 15-18) and adult mentors from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and the United States.

April 13 - May 3, 2023  Pensacola will host 20 youth participants (ages 15-18) and adult mentors from Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and the United States.

During this three-week U.S.-based exchange, teen leaders will build valuable skills to better respond to climate change.

Five (5) students from each community (Seattle and Pensacola) will be  selected to participate.

Student applicants must be:

  • Be between 15 and 18 years old by January 1, 2023
  • Be a citizen of  the United States
  • Be living in the host community (Seattle or Pensacola) at the time of the exchange
  • Have proficiency in English
  • Demonstrate interest in youth leadership development
  • Demonstrate initiative, strong communication skills, and an energetic, positive attitude
  • Have the ability to work cooperatively in a team and be open to various opinions and perspectives
  • Commit to the follow-on application of Community-based Project (e.g., peer education workshop or service or environmental project)
  • Have permission from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to participate in the program
  • Have general awareness of climate change impact on the community and demonstrate some familiarity and interest with issues of environmental sustainability

Please note:

  • Preference will be given to individuals who have not participated in any in-person ECA-funded program in the United States within the past three years or accepted a scholarship for an impending U.S. Government-funded exchange program.

There is no application fee

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U.S. Student Application Form

Please review the eligibility criteria and program details before completing the application. You must be from either Seattle, Washington (March 2023) or Pensacola, Florida (April/May 2023.) Instructions for completing this application: Please fill out the application and answer all questions carefully and completely. The information you provide on this application is the basis for selecting participants for this program. Semifinalists will be contacted for an interview and final notifications will be made by late-February.

  • Personal Information

  • Parent/Guardian Information

  • Education

  • Activities

  • Essay Questions - please respond in one paragraph (no fewer than 350 words)

  • Participant Agreement

  • Parental/Guardian Consent - please make sure your guardian knows you are applying

  • DD slash MM slash YYYY

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