NOFO: “SYLEP 2.0” Open Cooperative Agreement 2022 (Saudi Arabia)

The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is pleased to announce an open call for organizations to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) to compete for a Cooperative Agreement award for a new youth leadership program, SYLEP 2.0.

The new Saudi Young Leaders Exchange Program (“SYLEP 2.0”) will leverage the success of previous iterations of SYLEP under an amended format that emphasizes incountry training for a cohort of emerging Saudi leaders, both before and after their exchange program to the United States. The SYLEP 2.0 cohort will be comprised of 20 emerging Saudi leaders (approximately 24 – 30 years old) who are active in the fields of (i) environmentalism/combatting climate change and (ii) social entrepreneurship.

SYLEP 2.0’s in-country component will consist of a series of virtual and in-person workshops for the cohort that will take place between February and June 2023. These sessions would be designed to build cohort cohesion; strengthen relations between the U.S. Embassy and participants; and impart the critical thinking, leadership, public speaking, project management, innovation, and dialogue skills necessary to become global leaders. It should include a strong American component via the participation of at least one visiting U.S. speaker/trainer and two virtual U.S. trainers.

Goals

• The main goals of SYLEP 2.0 are to:

  • Develop a strong and cohesive cohort of rising Saudi leaders in the fields of environmentalism/climate change and social entrepreneurship.

  • Strengthen their understanding of and connections to like-minded U.S. leaders in these fields.

  • Allow them to develop close ties to the U.S. Mission and its alumni network.

  • Boost their skills in critical thinking, leadership, public speaking, project management, innovation, and dialogue that will lead to success in both civic projects and their careers

Details

• In-Person Events: The awardee will organize three in-person events in consultation with the Embassy:

• An initial, kick-off two-day, in-person workshop introducing them to the program and key concepts to be developed that takes place in late February 2023 (one the sidelines of the Embassy’s wider alumni conference). It should bring together the 20 SYLEP 2.0 participants, Embassy representatives, select SYLEP alumni leaders/trainers, and an American expert in leadership. The workshop would provide intensive training on key leadership, project management, and communications skills.

• A two-day, in-person workshop in fall 2023 (following the participants’ U.S. exchange) for participants to debrief on their U.S. exchange experience and share ideas on their capstone projects.

• A final in-person pitch competition in fall or winter 2023, where winners are provided seed funding and implementation support from the grantee.

On-line training sessions:

• The awardee will organize two virtual sessions in consultation with the Embassy:

• A virtual session for the 20-person cohort in late April that provides intensive training on key leadership, project management, and communications skills.

• A second virtual program, in May or June, that allows the cohort to meet in person before their U.S. exchange and provides intensive training on key leadership, project management, and communications skills.

Funding Information

• Total Amount Available: $50,000 to $65,000

Selection Criteria

• An Embassy Grants Review Committee will evaluate all eligible SOIs using the criteria.

• Following the review, any successful SOI applicants will be contacted and instructed to submit full applications. A full application will include:

  • SF-424 or SF-424i (Application for Federal Assistance)

  • SF 424A (Budget information)

  • SF424B (Assurances) for individual or organization exempted from registering with SAM.gov

  • A budget narrative

  • CVs for key staff

  • Statement of NICRA

• Letters of support from potential sub-awardees or key partners Mission Saudi Arabia may not be able to respond to all Statements of Interests that are submitted.