Apply for the third edition of America for Bulgaria Foundation’s Leadership Education in America Program (LEAP) 

“Learning is not confined to formal education,” begins Zornitsa Slavova’s insightful article on lifelong learning, published this October. The piece reveals that Bulgaria ranks lowest in the EU in this area, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this gap. Recognizing the need not just to highlight problems but to propose solutions, we are thrilled to announce an opportunity for everyone to contribute toward meaningful change.

Apply for Leadership Education in America Program (LEAP) is an America for Bulgaria Foundation–designed and –funded program, which provides practical learning experience in the US for Bulgarian professionals from the public, private, and NGO sectors. LEAP aims to support the potential of active early- and mid-career Bulgarians with ideas and determination to improve the communities they live in and to make a positive difference in Bulgaria.

What is LEAP?

The program welcomes professionals up to 40 years old from private, public, and NGO sectors. It focuses on developing key leadership abilities, enhancing communication, inspiring others, and applying these skills to foster positive change in their surroundings.

This year’s LEAP program will run from June 14–30, 2025, in Boston and New York, conducted entirely in English. All expenses are covered by the America for Bulgaria Foundation.

With extensive experience collaborating with the public sector, we recognize its importance in driving positive change and encourage more applications from this field.

Full program details, including application requirements, the selection process, and what to expect in the U.S., are available here. For further questions, email [email protected].

Deadline for applications – 5 January 2025.

The America for Bulgaria Foundation will partner with three Bulgarian organizations to broaden the program’s outreach. The Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs  (ABLE) will oversee the overall administration of LEAP III, while the Bulgarian Center for Non-for-Profit Law (BCNL) and the Institute for Market Economics (IME) will support outreach efforts and assist with selection process.