republic-os/legal/us/code/title-22/chapter-114/section-10707.md

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LegalText	22 U.S.C. § 10707	Young Balkan Leaders Initiative	us	united_states_code	code_section	22	FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE	114	WESTERN BALKANS DEMOCRACY AND PROSPERITY	10707	22 U.S.C. § 10707	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc22@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t22/s10707	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-22/usc22.xml	e5a4a5115f437f28c39a63ca0ba613012da8e24d626ae23fbb6618cdad5d2a6b	b9c63ede722f5e0bf8eabfe9029e06e312ab9bcfd95c4d1424ed515baff1df83	2dfc9b23ddc7fb2105562a6a102a0f011fd0fd0ba971b4d24650ac8031349086	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

22 U.S.C. § 10707 - Young Balkan Leaders Initiative

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(a) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) regular people-to-people exchange programs that bring religious leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and other individuals from the Western Balkans to the United States will strengthen existing relationships and advance United States interests and shared values in the Western Balkans region; and

(2) the Department of State, through BOLD, a leadership program for young leaders in certain Western Balkans countries, plays an important role to develop young leaders in improving civic engagement and economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro.

(b) Authorization The Secretary of State should continue the BOLD Leadership Program, which shall hereafter be known as the “Young Balkan Leaders Initiative”, to promote educational and professional development for young adult leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have demonstrated a passion to contribute to the continued development of the Western Balkans region.

(c) Conduct of initiative The goals of the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative should include—

(1) building the capacity of young Balkan leaders in the Western Balkans in the areas of business and information technology, cyber security and digitization, agriculture, civic engagement, and public administration;

(2) supporting young Balkan leaders by offering professional development, training, and networking opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good governance, public administration, and journalism;

(3) supporting young political, parliamentary, and civic Balkan leaders in collaboration on regional initiatives related to good governance, environmental protection, government ethics, and minority inclusion; and

(4) providing increased economic and technical assistance to young Balkan leaders to promote economic growth and strengthen ties between businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs in the United States and in Western Balkans countries.

(d) Fellowships Under the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State is authorized to award fellowships to young leaders from the Western Balkans who—

(1) are between 18 and 35 years of age;

(2) have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;

(3) have had a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or institutions, including by promoting cross-regional and multiethnic cooperation; and

(4) represent a cross-section of the country’s demographics.

(e) Briefing on certain exchange programs Not later than 180 days after December 18, 2025, the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes the status of exchange programs involving the Western Balkans region.

(Pub. L. 119–60, div. H, title LXXXIII, § 8338, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1875.)