Peru
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any business discipline
OR
• 5 years professional experience in business management
All candidates who meet the required skills are encouraged to apply. Additional skills that may make you a more competitive candidate include:
Previous experience training youth and/or women in areas such as entrepreneurship, financial education, or women’s empowerment.
Experience collaborating with teachers or school personnel and engaging with youth in a classroom or educational setting.
Business advising or coaching experience with cooperatives, small businesses, or credit unions.
Volunteers in Peru typically live with a Peruvian host family in small to mid-sized towns, often provincial or district capitals. Communities may range from 2,000 residents to larger district hubs, and Volunteers often engage with surrounding rural villages. Expect basic amenities, limited internet access, and frequent travel by foot, bicycle, or public transport to reach schools and partner organizations.
None
Community Economic Development
Yes
Peru
24
Yes
PCV
No
Establish student savings clubs in schools to build financial skills among youth.
Support the creation and operation of community savings groups.
Train community members in personal money management, including budgeting and record-keeping.
Deliver entrepreneurship education and business planning sessions.
Guide youth in developing business plans and preparing for local or national business plan competitions.
Train women’s groups on leadership and financial literacy.
Strengthen knowledge in market assessment, bookkeeping, and marketing for small businesses.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as literacy classes and community-wide recycling campaigns.
As a Community Economic Development Facilitator, you will be trained on a financial literacy curriculum, community savings banks initiatives, and women’s economic empowerment. Peace Corps/Peru will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You might also receive language resources and learn Quechua, a local language in some Andean communities.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with organizations, such as local governments, women’s groups, public schools, and national social programs. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on sustainable community economic development.
Gain a better understanding of business challenges that face communities in South America.
Advance your Spanish language skills through daily conversations and collaborations.
Create a lasting impact while immersed in Peruvian culture.
Heterosexual and same-sex couples are accepted for this program.
Each person must apply separately and qualify for a position in a different sector than their partner.
Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities.
Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
