A $100,000 grant has been awarded to the Close Up Foundation through the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) Technical Assistance Program to support the 2024 Close Up Insular Area Program. This funding will enhance youth participation in civic engagement across the four U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga expressed gratitude for this important funding: “We are thankful for the continued support from the Office of Insular Affairs. This grant will empower our youth by providing a platform for them to discuss important issues affecting their communities through local Close Up youth summits. Engaging our young people in civic education is important to building a stronger, more informed future for our islands. Their voices, ideas, and leadership will shape the direction of our territories, and we must provide them with the tools to succeed.”
The Governor added, “We look forward to working with the Close Up Foundation and the youth of American Samoa as we bring this program to life. Our future leaders deserve every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the future of our islands.”
The Close Up Insular Area Program focuses on engaging youth in civic education, equipping them with knowledge and skills to actively participate in their government and make positive contributions to their communities.
