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As a part of the United States' effort to assist the former USSR with its transition to a free market
economy, the United States Information Agency (USIA) launched the Business for Russia (BFR) project in
1993. The Community Connections project is an outgrowth of BFR and includes other countries which were
part of the former USSR. To date, the programs have brought more than 5,000 entrepreneurs and other
professionals to the United States for two-to-four week professional experiences in market economies
and for home stays with American families.
More about Community Connections program:
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In order to find out how international exchange participants have shared their U.S.
experiences and understanding of U.S. society and policies with others as well as
to assess the "real-world" impact of international exchanges,
the United States Department of State/Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs created a webpage for collecting and displaying the
opinions of its exchange program participants,
colleagues working for grantee organizations, affiliated NGOs, U.S. Embassy staff,
programming agencies, volunteers and other interested parties to describe how its current
and former program participants share their U.S. experience and understanding of U.S.
society and policies, and what personal or institutional linkages may have been built as
result of those experiences.
Click on the picture above to visit this webpage, or go to:
http://speakout.state.gov
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Goals of the Community Connections Project
Through the Community Connections project, professionals from Eastern Europe learn about Western business
and professional practices and apply this new information to build stronger economies. Likewise, United
States host companies and organizations can explore and enhance their competitive posture in, and
understanding of, the international business and professional world.
Participant Selection
The U.S.-based International Research and Exchange Board and other agencies are responsible for
recruitment, screening, and selection of the program participants, with final approval from the
American Embassy in participating countries. Applicants are carefully screened for professional experience.
Funding
The Community Connections project is funded in part through a grant from the Bureau of Education
and U.S. State Department. This project represents a unique partnership among local for-profit
organizations, non-profit organizations, and the governmetns of all countries involved.
Louisville Participation
The Community Connections project is coordinated in the region by the Louisville International
Cultural Center (LICC). LICC has been awarded a training grant in every Business for Russia and
Community Connections competition since their inception. Over 240 Russians, Belorussians, and
Moldovans from diverse backgrounds have come to Louisville for training from the following cities:
Altai Krai, Causeni, Chisinau, Izhevsk, Minsk, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Samara, Saratov,
Vladivostok, Tula, Volgograd, Yaroslavl and Perm, Louisville's sister city in Russia.
Professional Hosts
With the cooperation and involvement of over 465 Louisville area companies and organizations, BFR
and Community Connections participants have gained practical experience and knowledge and have shared
their expertise with area professionals. Internships, which vary in length, are unpaid.
Host Families
Over 165 Kentuckiana families have warmly opened their homes to BFR and Community Connections
participants. Home stays, which may vary in length, are non-funded.
Host Communities 1994-1999
47 communities throughout the continental United States participate in the Community Connections project.
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PROGRAMS