Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF)
America250 Basketball Diplomacy and Youth Development Initiative
The America250 Basketball Diplomacy & Youth Development Initiative is a U.S. Department of State-supported project funded through the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), using basketball as a platform to promote youth leadership, professional development, mentorship, and cross-cultural exchange in Côte d’Ivoire.
Organized in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the program combines basketball instruction and team-building activities with interactive workshops focused on communication, leadership, career readiness, networking, and community engagement. Participants also benefit from mentorship opportunities with professionals, exchange alumni, and institutional partners.
Beyond its immediate activities, the initiative seeks to establish sustainable basketball and youth leadership clubs within participating American Spaces, creating a connected network of young leaders who can continue developing their skills, building professional relationships, and contributing to their communities after the project concludes.
Through collaboration with American and Ivorian institutions, sports organizations, and private-sector partners, the initiative demonstrates how sports diplomacy can strengthen U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire relations while creating meaningful opportunities for youth empowerment and international cooperation.
Institutional & Strategic Partners
American & International Partners
- U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire — Public diplomacy and U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire engagement.
- U.S. Alumni Exchange Program – Côte d’Ivoire (USAEP-CI) — Exchange alumni engagement, mentorship, and professional networking.
- American Chamber of Commerce in Côte d’Ivoire (AmCham-CI) — Private-sector connections, professional mentorship, and institutional networking.
- American Spaces in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, and Korhogo — Local implementation network and local participant recruitment.
- UniFan — Sports technology, digital engagement, and communication training.
- FIBA Afrique — Regional basketball development and sports diplomacy engagement.
- Ministère des Sports de Côte d’Ivoire — Institutional engagement and national sports development.
- Société Omnisports de l’Armée (SOA) — Basketball coaches, sports engagement, and youth development.
- Club Sportif d’Abidjan (CSA) — Local basketball development and sporting engagement.
More on CDAF
The Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund (CDAF), a component of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program, is a funding competition for U.S. citizen alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.
To learn more about CDAF, click the link below:
