ABOUT ICYE
What is ICYE?
The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international, non-profit, youth exchange organisation that provides youth mobility, intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities to help people break down prejudices and develop intercultural understanding and competence for a more just and peaceful world. ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges combining home stays with voluntary service in more than 40 countries around the world.
What can you do as a volunteer?
With ICYE, you can get involved in many different areas, such as art and culture, environment, formal and non-formal education, minorities, social inclusion and human rights, special needs...
The duration depends on the projects, but it could be either long-term (six months or one year) or short-term (four to sixteen weeks).
Where can you volunteer?
You can volunteer in more than 40 countries around the world: in Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific or in Europe. You can check the countries involved on the following link: https://www.icye.org/icye-in-the-world/
What are the fees covering?
The fees you pay ensure a reliable preparation and support system in order to provide a successful volunteering experience abroad. The services provided are the following:
+ pre-departure arrangements and preparation
+ health, accident and third party liability insurance / 24-hour medical assistance
+ pick up at the airport and on-site orientation on local culture, history, and customs
+ selection and preparation of voluntary service placements and host families
+ introduction to your host family and voluntary service placement
+ on-going support and assistance to volunteers and hosts / 24 hours ICYE emergency phone numbers
+ evaluation of your experience and drop-off at the airport at the end of your stay.
Moreover, part of the participation fee is used for the programme development and administration and staff salaries. Please get in touch with AUS to get more information on exact fees for each country and project length.
What are the benefits?
ICYE ensures ongoing support throughout your volunteering journey (services provided are detailed above) and a high level of quality for its project.
What are the prerequisites?
ICYE exchanges are open to young people between 18 and 30 years old. In certain countries, it is possible to volunteer if you are above 30 years old.
You first have to contact AUS, which is the ICYE branch of Iceland, which will be the intermediary between you and the hosting organization.
Even if you took part in a European Solidarity Corps or any other experience abroad before, it is possible to apply for an ICYE project!
How can you find ICYE opportunities?
The ICYE opportunities, short-term and long-term, can be found on the website: icye.org. It is possible to refine your search, indicating your wished project type and/or country of interest. If you are interested in a particular country, don't hesitate to get in touch with us by email or by giving us a call, we will inform you about the opportunities.
How to apply for an ICYE project?
In order to apply for a project, you need to fill in an application form that will be shared with the other organization.
Tips for the application:
Make sure to explain why you would like to volunteer! There is no "typical" volunteer, there is no reason to be rejected by a project unless there is no availability. Just remember that you should be flexible, open to new experiences, willing to learn new skills, broad-minded and self-reliant!