Community Leadership Program

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHILE BUILDING YOURSELF AS A LEADER

Are you interested to lead, innovate, and make a difference in your community while building yourself as a leader?

Community Leadership Program, an all-Ukrainian pioneering collaborative initiative between the Window on America (WoA) and America House (AH) centers designed to nurture and develop the leadership skills of Ukrainian youth to forge a network of visionary leaders amid the ongoing challenges faced by the Ukrainian nation.

As Ukraine grapples with Russia's war against Ukraine, the demand for unifying and innovative leadership becomes a cornerstone for building a resilient future. This Program is designed not merely as a reaction to the crisis but as a proactive step towards forging a stronger, unified Ukraine.

We’re looking for young and passionate Ukrainians from non-metropolitan regions of Ukraine to work together on addressing critical issues in local communities through WoA centers. Through this dual approach of personal leadership development and practical project execution, the Program seeks to build a community of empathetic leaders who will be instrumental in the national rebuilding efforts and in maintaining resilience amidst the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.

When? March 13, 2024 — May 22, 2024.

The deadline to apply is 23:59 on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

By participating in the program you will:

  • Equip yourself with practical skills for effectively managing and leading during adversities;

  • Facilitate self-discovery to identify your unique strengths and leadership styles;

  • Promote personal growth and self-awareness, essential for authentic leadership;

  • Foster innovative thinking and enhance problem-solving abilities;

  • Design capstone projects that tackle local and regional challenges with creative and sustainable solutions;

  • Get trained in community-centered leadership, with a focus on prioritizing local needs and aspirations.

Apply if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are Ukrainian and reside in Ukraine;

  • You are between 16-25 years old;

  • You are passionate about creating a positive social impact in Ukrainian communities;

  • You have a strong command of both written and spoken English, as the majority of the program will be conducted in English.

Participation in the Program is free of charge, because all opportunities from America House and Window on America programs are free.

By the end of this Program, young leaders won’t only develop their leadership potential and practice generation of project initiative, but will have a significant opportunity to secure funding to bring their ideas to life.

Learn more about program trainers:

John Jeanetta

Peace Corps Ukraine Virtual Service Pilot Participant, is the second of four children, born in Naples, Italy to a father who was an officer in the U.S. Air Force and a mother who was a clinical social worker most of her career. He lived in seven communities in five states and two countries and attended seven different schools by the time he arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 15. Learning at a young age he is mission-driven, he joined the U.S. Peace Corps after college, serving in a small village in northern Belize (Central America) and then worked in a variety of settings addressing social problems and inequities across the lifespan.  Since 2009, he has served as the president & CEO of Heartland Family Service, a $40 M multi-service nonprofit organization serving 150,000 people annually from 20 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa in the central region of the United States. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master’s Specialization Certification in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a Master of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University in the City of New York, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Gallup University. John has visited Ukraine on at least 20 occasions as part of a partnership between Omaha and Bakhmut, Ukraine, which began in 1999.  John serves on the Board of Advisors for the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and frequently hosts Ukrainian delegations participating in the Open World Leadership Program.    

Mackie Chang

Peace Corps Ukraine Virtual Service Pilot Participant, is a dedicated global citizen who is passionate about fostering cross-cultural connections and empowering young people. With a Master's degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor's in History from the University of California Santa Cruz, he has gained international experiences at Charles University in Prague and Bath University in England. Mackie has held diverse professional roles, from serving as a Global Mobility Agent adeptly navigating US immigration laws to contributing as a Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in Ukraine, where he dedicated himself to teaching English and community development. His commitment to educational initiatives is evident in his tenure as an Education First Tour Director, facilitating transformative learning experiences across Europe. He brings a wealth of expertise in international relations, security analysis, and management from roles at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and Berlin, as well as with organizations like WorldAware and Soccer Without Borders. Currently, he continues to make a difference as an English tutor and volunteers his leadership skills with various educational programs, including spearheading an English Club at TalTech University in Tallinn. Mackie is deeply engaged in mentoring initiatives, fostering an environment of inclusivity and learning for aspiring leaders.

About the organizers:

Window on America

Window on America is a network of cultural hubs in 23 cities across Ukraine. WoA’s mission is to promote mutual understanding and collaboration between the U.S. and Ukraine. As your go-to resource for American culture, education, and information, WoA organizes various activities, including English-language programs, workshops, and cultural events. As part of the American Spaces Network in Ukraine, which includes the America House program, WoA is part of a global American Spaces program operating in over 137 countries worldwide

America House Kyiv

America House Kyiv is a cultural center and your main resource for American culture, education, and information in the Kyiv region. AHK organizes a wide range of activities, including English-language programs, skill-building workshops, cultural events, art exhibitions, concerts and more. America House operates also in Lviv and Odesa, and is a part of the overarching framework of American Spaces Network in Ukraine that include America House and Window on America programs.

Peace Corps in Ukraine

Peace Corps is a non-political and non-religious organization of the American Government that seeks to promote peace and friendship among people of different nationalities and cultures.  Peace Corps brings together skilled, committed Volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries. Currently, the Peace Corps in Ukraine collaborates with Ukrainian partners through the Virtual Service Pilot (VSP) in three sectors: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Youth Development and Community Development, as well as the PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) initiative.

FAQs:

  • Participants for this program will be chosen based on their submitted application forms. Selection criteria include the applicant's motivation, the diversity they contribute to the group, and the overall quality of their application. Please note that not everyone who applies will be selected to participate.

  • The Program will primarily be conducted online but is open for some in-person gatherings in Kyiv.

  • While we welcome participants from across Ukraine, preference will be given to applicants who currently reside in, or have previously lived in, regions outside the metropolitan areas of Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv. This Program emphasizes developing leadership in non-metropolitan areas, enabling leaders to unite diverse communities and address regional needs.

    Also, in case you do not currently reside in Ukraine but have a strong motivation to participate in the Program and are willing to come to Ukraine during the potential offline meet-ups, we strongly encourage you to apply.

  • The Program is designed to accommodate participants' existing work or study schedules. It includes sessions twice a week with weekly breaks between study blocks to facilitate integration with participants' commitments and reflection on the material. Sessions are scheduled from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Kyiv time, though this may vary based on session length. Participants should expect a commitment of up to 5 hours per week.

  • It's not required to have a project idea before applying for the program. You'll have the opportunity to develop your cornerstone project and its concept collaboratively with other participants throughout the duration of the program.

  • In this program, your cornerstone project can be developed either individually or as part of a team, with teamwork being a key focus. We encourage innovation and resourcefulness, and the Community Leadership Program may offer support or resources to help bring your project to fruition.