The 2027 Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Program is a dynamic leadership development opportunity for emerging community leaders committed to advancing free expression, open inquiry, constructive dialogue, and civic participation in their communities. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by IREX, CEE brings together talented young leaders from eligible countries to participate in a transformative exchange experience in the United States.

Through professional placements, applied learning, and cross-cultural exchange, participants gain practical skills, expand their professional networks, and explore how communities address challenges through collaboration, respectful disagreement, and community-based problem-solving. The program emphasizes the responsible exercise of free speech and the role of civic engagement in strengthening communities and democratic societies.

What Participants Will Experience

• Engage in a six-week exchange experience in the United States, including a four-week professional placement with a U.S. host organization.
• Learn from American institutions, community organizations, and civic leaders working to promote dialogue, participation, and community engagement.
• Develop leadership, communication, and project design skills through experiential learning and peer exchange.
• Build lasting professional relationships with U.S. and international counterparts.
• Design and implement an Actions, Words project that applies lessons from the program to address a need in your home community.

Who Should Apply?

CEE seeks emerging leaders who have demonstrated commitment to issues related to:

• Free speech and freedom of expression
• Open inquiry and constructive public discourse
• Civic dialogue and public participation
• Civic education
• Community-level problem-solving
• Conflict reduction and bridge-building across differences

Applicants should have at least two years of relevant professional or community experience and a strong desire to create positive change in their communities.

Eligibility Requirements

Competition for the CEE Program is merit-based and open to emerging civil society and community leaders who meet the following criteria:

• You will be between the ages of 22-27 on the application closing date.
• You are a citizen of one of the FY26 eligible countries in Europe (full list included below)
• You have a minimum of two years of experience working on relevant First Amendment issues, including free speech, open inquiry, constructive public discourse, public participation, respectful disagreement, or related community-level problem-solving. Experience may be professional, volunteer, academic, or community-based.
• You are living and working in your home country at the time of application.
  • In consultation with ECA, special consideration may be given to an individual completing school courses or non-U.S.-government programming outside the home country who will have returned home at least six months before the program begins.
• You demonstrate a clear commitment to developing a locally grounded First Amendment or free-speech initiative in your home country.
• You are able to work effectively in cross-cultural settings and contribute meaningfully to a U.S. host organization and community.
• You are proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.
  • Semifinalists who do not already possess a valid qualifying TOEFL score will be required to complete an English-language proficiency assessment.
• You are available to begin the CEE Program in the United States in 2027 and participate in the full six-week exchange, including a four-week individualized professional placement.
• You are committed to returning to your home country, applying your experience, and implementing a community-based project after the U.S.-based exchange.

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the U.S.-based CEE Program:

• U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents of the United States;
• Individuals participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States or other countries at the time of application;
• Individuals residing or working outside their home countries at the time of application unless the individual is a refugee or holds special refugee status and is working on behalf of their home country/community;
• Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., U.S. Department of State Public Affairs Section of U.S. embassies, or other U.S. government agencies) who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of application;
• Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years; and
• Other criteria to be determined in consultation with ECA, including public-health related status based on guidance from federal agencies at the time of application.

Financial Support

The program covers the cost of most expenses associated with:

• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip travel from participants’ home city to the U.S.
• Allowance to cover housing, meals, and other living expenses while in the U.S. and
• Accident and sickness health benefits

Eligible Countries

• Czechia
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• United Kingdom
• Ukraine