The program invites young female artisans (craft-makers) and people with disabilities* (please see section below for detailed description of what kind of disabilities are acceptable) to apply, as well as persons involved with Egyptian non-governmental organizations working to enhance economic activity of people with disabilities and women engaged in crafts production. The program will seek to promote entrepreneurial thinking, business planning, financial and business management skills that will allow young Egyptian entrepreneurs to launch or improve their business careers.

During this two-year program, two exchanges will take place in the US and two in the Egypt. Two groups of eleven participants from Egypt will travel to the US for 18-day long programs. Two groups of five American participants will then travel to Egypt for eleven-day programs, which will build on the activities already conducted in the US. They will hold workshops and seminars together with Egyptian alumni and visit businesses and organizations in Egypt to provide consultation and to network with potential business partners. The programs in Egypt will offer an opportunity for additional young entrepreneurs, both disabled ones and those engaged in craft production and sales, to receive training and consulting services and to network with American individuals and groups.

This program aims to empower the Egyptian participants to become more active and successful in their lines of business by providing opportunities for participants for: 1) Training in business management skills (to include financial management, resource building, marketing, customer-service etc.); 2) Business-Specific training; 3) Visits and networking with relevant firms and organizations from the US, which will be organized to provide new opportunities for business cooperation between American and Egyptian individuals, organizations and firms; and 4) Cultural experiences that build positive relationships between Americans and Egyptians.

All travel, accommodation and food cost for participants is covered by the program, as well as local transportation, training cost, and the cost of any additional educational and cultural visits. Participants will be staying in youth hostels. Egyptian participants will also receive a daily stipend of $20 (total of $360 (LE 1,976) for 18 days of the program) during their travel to the US, and a travel return allowance of $70 per trip. US visa and health insurance while traveling abroad are also covered by the program. Egyptian participants selected for the program will be issued a J-1 visa to travel to the US.

Program schedule:
May 2010 – 18 day program in Chicago, IL for a group of Egyptian participants selected among persons with physical disabilities and representatives of NGOs that promote economic activities of persons with disabilities.

October 2010 – 11 day program in Egypt, for a group of US visitors from business and groups that promote economic activities of persons with disabilities.

May 2011 – 18 day program in Washington, DC for a group of Egyptian participants selected among women engaged in crafts production or NGOs that facilitate such activities for Egyptian women.

October 2011 – 11 day program in Egypt, for a group of US visitors from women’s crafts-related businesses and NGOs.

Eligibility criteria:
We encourage participants between 25 and 35 of age, among the following groups to apply to participate in this program:

• Persons with physical disabilities (including deaf persons; due to logistics’ issues, unfortunately, we cannot accept blind persons to participate in the US-based part of the program)
• Female artisans (craft-makers)
• Persons involved with Egyptian non-governmental organizations working to enhance economic activity of people with disabilities and women engaged in crafts production.

All participants should meet the following criteria:

• Age: 25-35
• Education: must be able to read and write; completed at least primary level education.
• English language is not mandatory, except for the representatives of NGOs.
• Professional experience: persons with at least one year of relevant work experience will be accepted in the program; they will either already own their own business, have a sound plan to start a business of their own in the next two years, or be employed in a business at a position that offers room for leadership and personal impact. For NGO representatives, criteria includes at least 3 years of related professional experience, and current employment with a NGO that serves persons with disabilities or women engaged in crafts’ production.
• Dedication to community development and personal activism: good candidates should demonstrate understanding of the impact their business activity might have on their community.
• Dedication to the idea of international cooperation and intercultural understanding.
• Vision and soundness of business plan for the future.
• Willingness to design and participate in implementing a training program upon return to Egypt.
• Long-term commitment to the program that goes beyond the program’s official end-date.
• Two letters of recommendation are required.

*Additional requirements for persons with disabilities:

• Medical/governmental certificate confirming disability;
• Participants must be able to travel/live independently (without chaperone) for the period of 18 days in the US. Their written statement must be enclosed with the application form.

**Additional requirements for participants involved in crafts production/businesses will include:

• Only women will be invited to participate in the US-based programs;
• Applicants will be asked to enclose sample/photo of the craft they produce;

***Additional Selection Criteria for NGO participants includes:

• Relevant work experience and affiliation should be demonstrated, as well as experience in organizing/managing networks;
• Ability to design and provide training; Ability to read/write/speak English (at least intermediate level) is mandatory.
• Applicants must fill in the application in English.