AEIF provides alumni of U.S. government-sponsored and facilitated exchange programs with funding to expand on skills gained during their exchange experience to design and implement innovative solutions to global challenges facing their community. Since its inception in 2011, AEIF has funded nearly 500 alumni-led projects around the world through a competitive global competition. This year, the U.S. Embassy Beirut Public Diplomacy Section will accept public service projects for funding under AEIF 2024 that are proposed and managed by teams of at least two (2) alumni which directly support the Embassys goals and foreign policy objectives, promote shared interests, and benefit local communities. Team members are expected to address a specific theme in the Lebanese community. Such themes may include (but are not limited to) good governance; climate change; promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA); strengthening economic prosperity and inclusive economic growth; promoting innovation; improving the digital economy; fostering entrepreneurship; skill building to improve job opportunities; enhancing education and English language programs; protecting cultural heritage, or countering disinformation, propaganda, and malign influence.