Refugee Congress is pleased to announce the launch of the National Refugee Leadership and Lived Experience Council (NRLLEC) Program– a federal initiative of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). NRLLEC is led by Refugee Congress in partnership with Refugee Council USA, Every Campus a Refuge, Church World Service, and USA Hello.
Application Guide Available Here
Background
Building off momentum generated during the pilot year of ORR’s 2023-2024 Youth Leadership Council for Refugees and Newcomers (YLCRN), ORR created the NRLLEC grant program to continue to incorporate customer feedback into its decision-making processes. Refugee Congress, a refugee-led organization, creates opportunities for refugees to inform policy and engage in public education and capacity building.
Refugee Congress, in consortium with the organizations listed above, will work collaboratively to leverage their strong community partnerships, staff expertise, committed volunteer leadership, and proven history of successful engagement to establish, develop, and maintain the NRLLEC program.
Eligibility Requirements
The first Council of the National Young Adult Leadership Council (NYALC) is now open for applications. The council is open only to youth ages 18-24; who are refugees, asylees or from other ORR-eligible populations; and who have lived in the US for less than five years. The Council will launch at the start of the first year of the program.
NRLLEC Program Details
The program will design, implement, evaluate, and promote multiple national-level councils of ORR populations with lived experience. Over the three-year performance period, three different councils will form, engaging 60-85 refugee members.
Council members will participate in leadership development and training through webinars, skill building workshops, group discussions, customized professional development plans, mentorship and coaching, direct engagement with policymakers and service providers, and a multi-day, in-person meeting in Washington, DC. All council member graduates will have the opportunity to continue their development through an Alumni Network.
Support Available to NYALC Members:
Members will receive laptops and, if needed, support to access WiFi internet. Laptops will be returned at the end of the program.
Translation services for complex or technical materials will be available.
Funds are available for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
All expenses for an in-person convening in Washington, DC, will be covered, including travel, accommodation, and meal allowances.
Each NYALC member will receive a $2,000 honorarium.
