Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)

AEIF provides alumni of U.S. sponsored and facilitated exchange programs, and alumni-affiliated organizations, with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. For AEIF 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Uganda’s Public Affairs Office will accept projects proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni designed to strengthen the YALI Network in Uganda. The YALI Network was founded in 2013. Today the Network has grown to over 650,000 young leaders across Africa, including almost 30,000 members in Uganda. Through its digital campaigns and online courses, the YALI Network provides members opportunities for professional development and tools and resources to foster entrepreneurship, promote human rights, support democratic development and community problem-solving, empower girls and women, build environmental awareness, and address other issues of local concern. Through this funding opportunity, the Public Affairs Office seeks to: · Enhance networking and mentoring opportunities for and between Uganda’s YALI Network members · Increase the number of YALI members who remain actively engaged in the network · Encourage greater participation by young women (18 – 35 years old) in the YALI Network · Strengthen the connection between YALI Network members and the U.S. Embassy in Uganda Examples of projects that could advance these goals include but are not limited to: · Professional development activities designed to enhance the ability of YALI Network members to serve as community leaders · Facilitated learning series for YALI Network members based on online courses available through the YALI Network · Targeted activities to encourage and facilitate the participation of young Ugandan women in the YALI Network · Regional YALI Network “hubs” to encourage participation in the Network by young leaders in regions of the country where access to internet or internet data otherwise limits opportunities to participate · Execution of a civic engagement campaign in support of YALI themes · Mentoring and coaching opportunities by senior alumni of U.S. government exchange programs for YALI network members Pilot projects designed to provide proof of concept for nation-wide initiatives in support of the objectives outlined above are encouraged. Further information about the YALI Network is available at https://yali.state.gov/.