FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program: Overseas Components

The document outlines the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for applicants under the ECA (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) programs, detailing the guidelines for effectively monitoring and evaluating program outcomes. It highlights the use of standard indicators and survey questions provided by the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework, which ensures consistent measurement across all programs. The applicants are instructed to complete specified fields in the PMP, select relevant indicators, and optionally create custom objectives while limiting their number. The summary includes a detailed explanation of key terms, data collection methods, and performance indicators focusing on various objectives, such as cross-cultural competence and civic engagement. It emphasizes the requirement for systematic data collection, including demographic information, participant experiences, and the impact of the programs on participants' skills and understanding of cultures. The PMP serves as a tool for ECA-funded projects to demonstrate program effectiveness, improve future initiatives, and ensure the alignment of participant experiences with program goals. Overall, the document reinforces the importance of comprehensive performance monitoring to foster accountability and enhance the outcomes of ECA programs through informed evaluation practices.

The document outlines the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for applicants under the ECA (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) programs, detailing the guidelines for effectively monitoring and evaluating program outcomes. It highlights the use of standard indicators and survey questions provided by the Monitoring Data for ECA (MODE) Framework, which ensures consistent measurement across all programs. The applicants are instructed to complete specified fields in the PMP, select relevant indicators, and optionally create custom objectives while limiting their number. The summary includes a detailed explanation of key terms, data collection methods, and performance indicators focusing on various objectives, such as cross-cultural competence and civic engagement. It emphasizes the requirement for systematic data collection, including demographic information, participant experiences, and the impact of the programs on participants' skills and understanding of cultures. The PMP serves as a tool for ECA-funded projects to demonstrate program effectiveness, improve future initiatives, and ensure the alignment of participant experiences with program goals. Overall, the document reinforces the importance of comprehensive performance monitoring to foster accountability and enhance the outcomes of ECA programs through informed evaluation practices.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2025 Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, focused on recruiting and supporting international high school students. The funding of approximately $11.76 million aims to facilitate exchanges from 30 strategically important countries, involving about 450 international students hosted in U.S. high schools and sending 60 American participants abroad. Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit organizations and educational institutions with at least four years of relevant experience. The cooperative agreement will cover participant recruitment, orientation, travel logistics, and alumni support, ensuring compliance with visa regulations. The program emphasizes leadership development, cultural exchange, and community integration, contributing to U.S. national security interests and fostering global understanding. Evaluation metrics will track the program's effectiveness through performance monitoring and outcome assessments, including participants' engagement in their host communities. The overarching goal is to enhance cultural comprehension and cultivate future leaders through immersive, cross-cultural experiences, reinforcing positive U.S. diplomatic ties internationally.