International Capacity Building & Training

The Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) program is a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development and Georgetown University's Center for Intercultural Education and Development. The program has been offered since 1989, and traditionally is a 2-year, degree program. The CASS program offered by the Jim Walter Partnership Center is unique in that it is the only 6-month program with training designed to strengthen youth serving organizations.

The JWPC CASS program is a 6-month intensive capacity building and nonprofit leadership training program for adults from Central American and Caribbean countries who have been identified as leaders for their work with youth. During their six month stay, these students will undergo specialized and intensive leadership and management training in order to prepare for increased leadership roles in youth servicing organizations back home.

Students attend custom designed courses taught by highly experienced academicians/practitioners in subject areas such as business, health, education, social services, legal and justice systems, disaster preparedness, housing and economic development, grant writing, non-profit management, and computer programs. Each student also serves an internship with a local organization that matches their particular field of study, expertise and interests. During these internships students gain additional experience essential to succeeding in the labor force at home.

Since 2007, the JWPC CASS program has graduated 36 delegates from the following countries:

Dominican Republic
Haiti
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua

CASS Program