SEE has launched a new initiative to enable individual US and Russian social experts to build cross-border collaborative projects that address common social challenges and result in benefits for both countries.
The SEE “Independent Professionals Project Initiative” will establish or strengthen partnerships between US and Russian experts and host organizations in their counterpart countries by means of a collaborative project that focuses on one or more of SEE’s thematic areas. Competitively selected candidates will travel to the host organization for 7 to 14 days to conduct activities related to their proposed project.
Over the course of project implementation in the host country, participants will gain new skills and expand their professional networks, thereby benefitting their work upon their return home. Independent professionals will convey their insights gained abroad through subsequent activities directed at relevant constituencies in their home countries. Implementation of all activities in the host and home countries will take place between April 1 and September 1, 2016.
Independent Professionals are selected via an open competition process. The application and other relevant materials are available for download on this page. Applications for the current competition cycle must be received by February 1, 2016 at 7:59AM Moscow Time (January 31, 2016 at 11:59PM Eastern Time).
THEMATIC AREAS
Projects must address at least one of the socially-oriented thematic areas listed below. Projects may combine multiple thematic areas.
1. Social support and protection of citizens (e.g., children, women or vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities or the elderly)
2. Protection of flora and fauna and promotion of animal welfare
3. Promotion of philanthropy and volunteerism
4. Youth development, extracurricular and alternative education
5. Public health and promotion of healthy lifestyles
6. Preservation of national identities, cultures, languages and traditions of indigenous peoples
7. Social and cultural adaptation and integration of migrants
8. Medical and social rehabilitation and/or social and economic reintegration of persons engaged in the illicit use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances
9. Promotion of economic and labor mobility
ELIGIBILITY
To be considered eligible, candidates must:
- Be a citizen of the Russian Federation or the United States
- Have a proven academic and/or professional track-record in the thematic area/s of interest
- Demonstrate a general professional proficiency in both the English and Russian languages
- Develop a project that is not politically motivated and does not focus on political activity, public policy reform, or the changing of public opinion
- Be primarily affiliated with organizations and/or institutions that work on issues within EF priority areas
- Have not previously participated as an SEE Emerging Professional or Advanced Practitioner Fellow
PROJECT EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Candidates will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance of their project to a social issue in one or more of SEE’s chosen nine thematic areas
- The soundness of the proposed project design
- Its potential for practical benefit in both the Russian Federation and the United States
- Demonstration of collaboration across both countries Preference will be given to proposals that also reflect the following:
- Clear, attainable, and measurable project goals Concrete deliverables to be attained as a result of project implementation
- Extent and quality of engagement of project participants and beneficiaries 5 Eligible expenses include: international and domestic travel (economy class), visas, lodging, health insurance, and a per diem living allowance.
- Number of people impacted by project (e.g. at least 100)
- Realistic timeline and budget for accomplishing project activities
- Clear approach to project monitoring and evaluation
- Strategy for sustaining the project’s positive impact beyond the funding period
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.usrussiasocialexpertise.org/#current-initiative-4