YTILI Fellowship Program: unique opportunity for Moldovan entrepreneurs

Young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova now have the opportunity to participate in the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship program, an initiative designed to strengthen transatlantic relations and promote collaboration between business leaders from Europe and the United States.

About the program

The YTILI Fellowship is a professional exchange program that offers participants the opportunity to develop their skills, professional networks and practical experience in an international environment. The program includes:

• A customized entrepreneurship curriculum;
• A fellowship experience in a business or organization in one of 9 US cities;
• Opening and closing conferences;
• Opportunities for involvement in the alumni network.

Why apply?

Participation in the YTILI Fellowship comes with multiple benefits, including:

• Access to professional experiences, skills and connections useful for the development of your business or social enterprise;
• Opportunity to interact with experts and mentors from the United States and Europe;
• Expand professional network and create transatlantic collaborative relationships;
• Exploration of US entrepreneurial ecosystems, including the policy and funding context;
• Membership in a dynamic network of European entrepreneurs dedicated to developing transatlantic relationships.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

• Be a citizen of the Republic of Moldova and a permanent resident of the Republic of Moldova (permanent residents of the Transnistrian region are also accepted, regardless of citizenship);
• Be between 25 and 35 years of age and have at least two years of experience in running a profitable business or social initiative;
• Demonstrate commitment to develop or lead an existing initiative;
• Not have participated in a US State Department sponsored exchange program within the last five years;
• Have a solid knowledge of English (written and oral);
• Be eligible for a J-1 visa and return to the Republic of Moldova for at least two years after program completion.

Note: Participants cannot be accompanied by dependents (spouse or children) during the fellowship in the USA.

How to apply?

The application deadline is December 5, 2024. The application form and more program details are available on the official website https://ytili.org.

For further questions, you can contact the organizers at education-moldova@state.gov.

Seize this unique opportunity to develop your career and contribute to the Moldovan entrepreneurial ecosystem!