Short-term programmes

Building on its established long-term programme, ICYE STePs are designed to offer you a combination of reliable and meaningful voluntary work with a direct exposure to the rich cultures of the host countries.

To find out about the type of voluntary service opportunities offered in the distinct countries, check the STePs Database, where you can browse through available work placements.

And if you’re short of time, but still want to find out about the culture of the country, avoiding mainstream tourist routes and activities, ICYE receiving National Committees can offer you a wide range of opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

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The ICYE Experience


To be a volunteer with ICYE means to integrate in the life and work of the host organisation and wider community. Volunteers are encouraged and supported to get involved in the planning and managing of distinct activities and to take on responsibilities according to their skills and interests, as well as the needs of the project. An important aspect of the voluntary service experience is the volunteer’s active participation in the life of the community in which they live and work.

Voluntary service placements offered by ICYE include social work projects with children and young people at risk, with the elderly, the disabled, health projects, support to human rights organisations, peace associations, ecological projects, work with women’s groups, migrant workers’ support groups, fair-trade shops, and solidarity projects.

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ICYE exchanges are open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 30 (and above 30 in certain countries), with or without qualifications, after secondary school or during your university studies or (un)employment, ICYE can offer you a life-changing experience!

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ volunteer. ICYE volunteers should be:

  • flexible, communicative, and open to new experiences,
  • willing to learn new skills
  • broad-minded and self-reliant
  • committed to inter-cultural understanding

ICYE Volunteers don’t need:

  • Specialised skills or work experience
  • Existing foreign language skills
  • Experience of international travel

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ volunteer. ICYE volunteers should be:

  • flexible, communicative, and open to new experiences,
  • willing to learn new skills
  • broad-minded and self-reliant
  • committed to inter-cultural understanding

ICYE Volunteers don’t need:

  • Specialised skills or work experience
  • Existing foreign language skills
  • Experience of international travel

Why are we different?

The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international, non-profit, youth exchange organisation that provides intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities to help people break down prejudices, develop intercultural understanding and acquire competences for a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world. ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges in 40 countries around the world.

Through its volunteering and participatory community programmes, ICYE is contributing to gender equality, inclusion, environmental regeneration, and sustainable social change processes with an intercultural, human rights and intersectional approach.

High degree of Satisfaction from ICYE Participants

The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international, non-profit, youth exchange organisation that provides intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities to help people break down prejudices, develop intercultural understanding and acquire competences for a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world. ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges in 40 countries around the world.

Through its volunteering and participatory community programmes, ICYE is contributing to gender equality, inclusion, environmental regeneration, and sustainable social change processes with an intercultural, human rights and intersectional approach.

What are you paying for?

The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international, non-profit, youth exchange organisation that provides intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities to help people break down prejudices, develop intercultural understanding and acquire competences for a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world. ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges in 40 countries around the world.

Through its volunteering and participatory community programmes, ICYE is contributing to gender equality, inclusion, environmental regeneration, and sustainable social change processes with an intercultural, human rights and intersectional approach.

High degree of Satisfaction from ICYE Participants

The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) is an international, non-profit, youth exchange organisation that provides intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities to help people break down prejudices, develop intercultural understanding and acquire competences for a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world. ICYE organises long and short-term exchanges in 40 countries around the world.

Through its volunteering and participatory community programmes, ICYE is contributing to gender equality, inclusion, environmental regeneration, and sustainable social change processes with an intercultural, human rights and intersectional approach.

Our partners

We work with the support of or in cooperation with: