This page includes important information related to partnering with IREX on the Community Engagement Exchange. Below, you will find details on hosting a CEE Fellow, recruiting Fellows, nominating a Specialist, and serving as a member of CEE’s Selection Committee.

Host a CEE Fellow

Host Interest Form

The Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Program is seeking U.S.-based civil society organizations to host one or two CEE Fellows for a fully funded 3-month Practicum from February 5–April 25, 2024. To express your interest in hosting a Fellow for a U.S.-based Practicum, please complete the Host Interest Form. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about this opportunity, please email hosts.cee@irex.org.

Benefits of Hosting a CEE Fellow:

• Share your organization’s expertise, skills, and resources with an international young civil society leader
• Support internationalization in your organization and community
• Learn from Fellows’ unique perspectives on challenges and practices in their home communities
• Develop employees’ professional capacities by mentoring and supervising a Fellow
• Join a network of global civil society leaders
• Participate in fully funded program events including opening and closing activities
• Travel to support domestic and international program activities

Hosting Organization Requirements:

• Be a U.S.-based organization (public institution, government office, social incubator, business, or non-profit)
• Be willing to engage with a CEE Fellow(s) on substantive work for 32-hours per week (telework permitted 2-days/week)
• Be able to designate an in-house supervisor and peer collaborator for a Fellow’s professional development and support
• Share a commitment to diversity and inclusion and a passion for international exchange
• Promote cross-border and/or domestic initiatives related to one or multiple CEE Program Themes (Youth Engagement, Women and Gender Issues, Resilience and Sustainable Development, Open and Participatory Government, and Civic Dialogue and Peacebuilding) 

The Placement Process

• Step 1: After your organization submits a host interest form, a member of our team will review your organization’s mission and goals to determine if we have a Fellow with similar interests and aspirations. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about this opportunity, please email hosts.cee@irex.org.
• Step 2: If a potential match is identified, a member of our team will contact you with the Fellow’s information, including their resume and a short profile.
• Step 3: You will have a chance to review the Fellow’s background, as well as the CEE Host Letter of Agreement before formally confirming your interest in serving as a practicum host.
• Step 4: If you wish to continue as a practicum host, we will request that you conduct a short introductory call with your matched Fellow to learn more about what the Fellow hopes to achieve and explore what sorts of professional development opportunities you can provide as a host partner.
• Step 5: Finally, you will participate in a virtual host orientation course on Canvas where you will explore the various aspects of CEE and consult resources to prepare you for hosting a Fellow.

Additional Opportunities to Engage with the CEE Network

• Help recruit and select CEE Fellows:  Share the CEE Program application with your networks to help IREX reach emerging civil society leaders across the world.  Invest your time and expertise by serving on the Participant Selection Committee to select potential CEE Fellows.    
• Nominate a CEE Specialist: Are you or someone you know skilled at solving community’s problems through civic engagement?  Nominate a civil society expert to become a CEE Specialist.  CEE Specialists are a select group of professionals providing mentorship, expertise, and support to CEE Fellows throughout their learning journey.
• Support CEE Program activities and networking events:  Support and engage in CEE’s program activities as a sponsor, speaker, or facilitator.  Event partners receive exposure to approximately 145 Fellows and organizations supporting civil society across the world.

Why partner with CEE?

Connect with innovative global civil society leaders: CEE Fellows are a dynamic global network of innovators working with communities to address critical 21st Century issues.

Expand your professional network and help propel civil society initiatives across the globe: Hosting and mentoring a CEE Fellow leads­­ to new contacts and long-term international collaboration.  U.S. host organizations may apply for the Community Engagement Project Exchange which will enable them to travel to a CEE Fellow's home country to work on community-based projects.

Gain diverse perspectives and relevant expertise: Host organizations benefit from the diverse experiences and cultural backgrounds of CEE leaders who arrive with fresh perspectives and unique expertise that matches host organization’s mission and activities.  

Enhance your organization’s visibility: Outstanding host organizations receive free promotion through IREX’s global network, including 700 U.S. based organizations.

Contribute to global civil society development: Your investment of time, expertise, and ideas, supports Fellows’ ability to address pressing civil society challenges in their communities.

No hosting costs: Through funding by the U.S. Department of State, IREX provides complete financial support for CEE Fellows including travel, monthly stipend, lodging, insurance, English language testing, and monitoring and support for CEE Fellow activities throughout the duration of the program.

Contact 

For general questions about the program, please email info.cee@irex.org. For specific questions about hosting a CEE Fellow, contact hosts.cee@irex.org. A member of our team will follow up with additional information.