Barack Obama. By Ben Hein
alongthemalecon.blogspot,com
Just three days after Barack Obama left Cuba, the State Department today announced a $753,989 community internship program targeting "young emerging leaders from Cuban civil society."
Non-profit organizations and educational institutions are invited to submit proposals. The deadline is May 20. The first awards are expected to be given in late July or early August.
The State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs plans to manage the program, aimed at financing two- to four-month professional development programs "which will fuel the participants’ development of action plans for nongovernmental community activities in Cuba."
The announcement states:
"Cuban civil society is not formed into well-established organizations that would typically be found in a society with a strong democratic tradition. Through participation in the program, participants will develop a set of leadership tools and skills to manage and grow civil society organizations that will actively support democratic principles in Cuba."
The announcement is below:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) announces a Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support the Community Internship Program for Cuban Youth. Subject to the availability of funds, WHA intends to issue an award in an amount not to exceed $753,989 in FY2015 Economic Support Funds for a project period of three years. The anticipated start date for this activity is August 2016 and WHA intends to support one award as a result of this NOFO.
WHA invites U.S. nonprofit organizations and U.S. educational institutions to submit proposals for