---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 10707"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "10707"
heading: "Young Balkan Leaders Initiative"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/10707"
units:
  - "Chapter 114 — Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity"
---

# §10707. Young Balkan Leaders Initiative

- (a) **Sense of Congress—** It is the sense of Congress that—
  - (1) regular people-to-people exchange [programs](/usc/22/3383.md?p=6) that bring religious leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and other individuals from the [Western Balkans](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) to the [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) will strengthen existing relationships and advance [United States](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) interests and shared [values](/usc/22/2794.md?p=2) in the [Western Balkans](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) region; and
  - (2) the Department of State, through BOLD, a leadership [program](/usc/22/3383.md?p=6) for young leaders in certain [Western Balkans countries](/usc/22/10703.md?p=4), 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](/usc/22/3383.md?p=6), 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](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) who have demonstrated a passion to contribute to the continued development of the [Western Balkans](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) 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](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) 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](/usc/22/8921.md?p=3), 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](/usc/22/1395.md?p=a-1) and in [Western Balkans countries](/usc/22/10703.md?p=4).
- (d) **Fellowships—** Under the Young Balkan Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State is authorized to award fellowships to young leaders from the [Western Balkans](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) 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](/usc/22/10703.md?p=1) that describes the status of exchange [programs](/usc/22/3383.md?p=6) involving the [Western Balkans](/usc/22/10703.md?p=3) region.

## Source credit

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