More than an exchange program, MESA uses a 'share and learn' model to help seed thriving rural communities worldwide.

Each year, MESA raises funds for stewards to implement Home Country Projects (HCPs), combining skills gained through their U.S. training with their unique knowledge of their own communities' needs and aspirations.

As of 2007, MESA Home Country Projects (HCPs) are based on a Competitive Matching Grant model. Although HCPs are not mandatory for program participation, MESA encourages stewards to further develop their HCP ideas during their U.S. training period, present their project concepts to their U.S. hosts or at least three others in the host community, and draft a project proposal to submit to MESA for funding consideration. Besides technical support, MESA provides modest seed funding, whereby stewards must raise an equal amount of funding or in-kind donations to ensure project viability.

MESA's Global Partners function as technical advisors to the projects.