Youth Community Conversation Host Programme

The American Conversation Project, a nonpartisan initiative of the National Conference on Citizenship run with the civic listening organisation Cortico, trains young people across the United States to host small, recorded, in-person conversations in their own communities. Hosts gather neighbours, classmates or family to talk about what they love about where they live, what feels broken and what they hope for, and the recordings feed a national picture of American civic life.

What you get:

• A certified ACP Conversation Host credential
• Hands-on experience leading real conversations
• The ACP Host Toolkit: a conversation guide, outreach templates and social assets
• Named credit in ACP's national synthesis, shared through partners including local and national media organisations
• Connection to a national network of peer youth hosts
• In the 26 Knight cities only, a limited number of stipends for hosts who complete training and three conversations (amount not published)

What you'll do:

• Complete 8 short, self-directed training modules on your phone, about 30 to 60 minutes in total, and pass a final readiness check
• Bring together a small group from your community and find a quiet place to record, such as a library room or community centre
• Lead and record at least 3 in-person conversations, then upload the recordings with your reflections

Key dates:

• Applications are open on a rolling basis with no sign-up deadline
• Training and hosting are self-paced
• ACP aims to reach 500 youth-led conversations nationwide by the end of 2026

More information:

• Questions can go to kate@ncoc.org or help@amcon.pro
• Youth hosts in the 26 Knight cities can apply through a separate funded cohort that may carry a stipend

• Aged 13 to 25
• Must live in the United States, and conversations must take place in the United States
• Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to confirm consent by email
• Conversations must be real and in person, not online
• Must agree to audio recording, with transcription and AI-assisted analysis by Cortico
• Must agree to ACP's community expectations and code of conduct for youth hosts