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, the National Young Adult Leadership Council (NYALC), will launch at the start of the first year of the program. The council’s eligibility will be limited to youth ages 18-24.
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.
Application and Selection
Applications for the first cohort will be accepted through January 8th, 2025. Candidates must submit their applications directly through Refugee Congress’ website: www.refugeecongress.org/nrllec. A NRLLEC selection committee will choose participants by January 15th, 2025. The cohort will commence activities by mid-February 2025 and will run through the end of September 2025.
Please review the full Application Guide here.
Program Format
Selected individuals will participate in structured leadership training and mentorship programming created and led by past council members and NRLLEC’s advisory committees. Trainings will focus on a variety of subjects including professional development, community resilience, integration, and other topics as identified by the councils. Participants will engage in structured feedback sessions intended to provide valuable insights to Refugee Congress, who will, in-turn, generate material to share with ORR for future policy considerations.
Benefits of Involvement
Council members will have a direct line to Refugee Congress to provide feedback on the successes, challenges, and opportunities related to integration. At the same time, council members will have valuable exposure to government entities, employers, leadership training, and opportunities for civic engagement, mentorship, and future leadership roles.
Info Sessions
For more information on the NRLLEC’s National Young Adult Leadership Council and how to apply, please join one of two available information sessions:
Thursday, December 19th, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Register HereFriday, December 20th, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST
Register Here
One of these sessions would be recorded and made available to any prospective applicant who cannot attend live.
