Selected applicants will take part in a 14-day leadership skills training program. Upon returning home they will work in teams to create an organic garden in their communities and run activities for the benefit of marginalized youth.

Topics

Our faculty of international, multidisciplinary experts will train participants in:

    * Core leadership skills
    * self understanding
    * visioning, goal-setting, planning
    * cultural awareness
    * communication skills
    * healthy living styles
    * teamwork
    * leadership models and best practices

How to start a community garden:

    * Building community support and recruiting volunteers
    * Facilitating meetings
    * Designing and organizing the garden

Methodology

The program is highly participatory and very interactive. It consists of short lectures, case studies, simulations, role-playing, personal reflections, group discussions, meetings with role model leaders, one-on-one coaching, outdoor experiential and expeditionary leadership.

Who Can Participate

To be eligible you must be:

    * 20-30 years old.
    * a national of, and residing in, one of the following countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina , Croatia , Czech Republic , Ukraine .
    * committed to attending the entire training.
    * committed to working as a volunteer and team member for 1 year (2-3 hours on average per week) to create an organic community garden and to run related social/educational activities for marginalized youth.
    * responsible, self-motivated, honest, compassionate, team player.
    * proficient in English (speaking and comprehension).
    * physically and mentally capable of rigorous outdoor activity (e.g. hiking with heavy backpack, working in garden).

Although anyone who meets the criteria can apply, we particularly encourage young people who are studying or have a degree in horticulture, agriculture, social work, psychology, graphic arts, journalism, medicine, nursing, marketing, business, accounting, public relations, hotel management, culinary arts or environmental studies to apply.

What Does It Cost

There is no cost to apply to the program.

However, if selected to take part in the training one must pay a registration fee of 150 €. One half of the fee or 75 € will be reimbursed one year later on satisfactory completion of the community project. The registration fee will not be reimbursed if the participant does not attend or complete the entire training. Participants must cover their own travel & visa expenses or find a sponsor. Altemus will provide a receipt for the registration fee and a certificate of attendance. Accommodation (food and lodging) will be covered by Altemus. Please note that lodging will be simple and clean. Participants will sleep either in dormitory style rooms or outdoors in tents.
Selection Procedure

A selection committee comprised of Altemus trainers and external leadership experts will review all applications submitted by the deadline. The committee will select 40 finalists for interviews. Twenty (20) participants in total will be invited to attend the training. Ten (10 ) will be placed on a reserve list.
How to Apply and Deadline

Interested candidates must fill out an online application form before midnight (European time) by July 7 , 2009 . Application received after this date will not be considered. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted by July 15th, 2009 .
Application Form

Complete the application form by midnight July 7, 2009 (European time).