Alumni Engagement and Outreach Program

Executive Summary: The U.S. Mission Kazakhstan announces an open competition to implement an Alumni Engagement and Outreach Program to recognize longstanding U.S. support for Kazakhstan and the many contributions of USG exchange alumni to Kazakhstan. Additionally, the U.S. Mission would like to support alumni as established opinion leaders in their communities in activities that highlight U.S. culture, efforts on diversity and inclusion, and alumni expertise and experience to local audiences. All proposed programs must include an American element, either through a connection with American experts, organizations, or institutions, usage of American educational/informational resources, or any other activities that promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives and/or contribute to increased mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of Kazakhstan.

Background:

The U.S. Mission has provided support for USG alumni engagement for five years through the National Alumni Network. Prior programming has included alumni forums, mentoring programs, small grants to regional alumni leaders, and published alumni profiles to build the alumni network. The United States remains a key partner in strengthening Kazakhstan's economy, national security, healthcare, civil society, and other areas of bilateral cooperation. Today, more than ever, Kazakhstan has signaled interest in partnering with the United States in a variety of fields. 

Since Kazakhstan's independence, over 22,000 Kazakhs have participated in U.S. government-supported exchange programs. Designed for alumni of these programs, this funding opportunity invites proposals for projects that strengthen cultural ties between the United States and Kazakhstan through academic and professional programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation.

Project Goal:  Strengthen alumni cooperation with the U.S. embassy and fellow USG exchange alumni across diverse regions, fields of interest, and exchange program cohorts.

Project Objectives: Proposals may address one or more of the objectives listed below.

·       Increase the reach and diversity of the alumni network by implementing targeted outreach strategies to connect with alumni from various exchange programs and cohorts.

o  Increase the number of active USG exchange alumni from various exchange programs and cohorts in the National Alumni Network through targeted outreach and recognition activities.

·       Establish partnerships with local organizations and institutions to facilitate ongoing engagement opportunities for alumni across different regions and fields of interest.

·       Develop and implement initiatives to deepen alumni engagement with the embassy and each other, including networking events and professional development opportunities.

·       Utilize multimedia platforms to showcase the achievements and contributions of alumni, fostering a sense of pride and community within the network. Raise awareness of the positive achievements and contributions of USG exchange alumni that highlight shared values and bilateral cooperation to the Kazakh general public through targeted multimedia campaigns.

Activities should result in well-defined and measurable outcomes (e.g., increased knowledge, skills, or connections) to assess their impact. Initiatives that contribute to long-term growth and sustainability (e.g., continued engagement, collaboration, or resource utilization) are strongly encouraged.

Potential Project Audiences:

USG alumni with a focus on:

·       Youth and young adults aged 18 – 35;

·       Recent USG exchange alumni from 2019-2024: business leaders, government officials, social media influencers, civil society representatives, academics and higher education professionals;

·       Those residing in regional cities (outside of Astana and Almaty), such as Aktau, Atyrau, Karaganda, Oskemen, Petropavlovsk, Pavlodar and Turkestan.