§10707 Young Balkan Leaders Initiative

Summary

The Secretary of State should keep running the BOLD Leadership Program, now called the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, to help young adults from the Western Balkans with education and career development. Congress says people-to-people exchanges that bring religious leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and others from the region to the United States strengthen ties and U.S. interests. The program is seen as important for developing young leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. The Initiative focuses on building skills in business, information technology and cyber, agriculture, civic engagement, and public administration; giving training and networking in leadership, innovation, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good governance, and journalism; supporting regional cooperation on governance, the environment, ethics, and minority inclusion; and increasing economic and technical support to link businesses and investors in the U.S. and the Western Balkans. The Secretary of State may award fellowships to people aged 18 to 35 who show strong entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, or leadership; who have made a positive community impact (including cross-regional and multiethnic cooperation); and who reflect their country’s demographics. Not later than 180 days after December 18, 2025, the Secretary must brief the appropriate Congressional committees on the status of exchange programs involving the Western Balkans.