The development or implementation of anti-poverty strategies based on the principle of building individuals' assets. Examples include matched savings programs, transfer payment investment initiatives, microenterprise development, and other strategies designed to expand job opportunities by transforming existing welfare programs. The Economic Development Fellowship Program organizes tours for approximately six participants at a time, the purpose of which is to build on existing initiatives or on-going group efforts. Applicants apply as a group. The substance of each tour is customized to meet the interests of the particular group.
Participants visit the United States for approximately three weeks.
Each tour consists of a main group program, with the potential for some individual program flexibility. Each program begins in Washington, D.C. with an intensive briefing designed to provide an orientation to the United States and an overview of the institutional landscape, the policy context, and program logistics. At the end of the visit, there is a thorough debriefing to help the participants process what they have learned and prepare preliminary plans for applying the lessons learned. Participants are expected to submit a report on their visit upon their return. Participants are expected to convene a group meeting within six months of their return to check on progress and further develop the action plan.