Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland’s office

New Volunteer Project atMaailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland: Join the office team!

Number of open positions: 1
Volunteer period: 15.2.–16.8.2025 (6 months)
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Application deadline: November 11, 2024

Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland is looking for a volunteer to support its office team, which focuses on coordinating international youth exchange programs and promoting intercultural understanding. The goal is to help organise and manage volunteering projects that connect young people with opportunities abroad, fostering personal growth, cultural exchange, and global cooperation.

The volunteer will assist the office staff in daily administrative tasks, help organise events and training sessions for international volunteers, and contribute to the coordination of ICYE and European Solidarity Corps programs. This experience will enhance your organisational, communication, and teamwork skills while allowing you to contribute to coordinating international volunteering projects.

The ideal volunteer for this project would like to learn more about international volunteering and is motivated to perform office tasks and engage with both local and international volunteers and organisations. It’s good to have an interest in intercultural learning, youth work, and volunteer program management. 

We look forward to welcoming enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about youth empowerment and global understanding!

If this project inspires you, you can apply through Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland. For more information, visit the main article and follow the application guidelines.

• Number of open positions: 1
• Volunteer period: 17.2.2025–16.2.2026 (12 months)
• Location: Ekenäs, Finland
• Application deadline: October 28, 2024

DAGTEK SERVICEENHET offers services for people with intellectual disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. The activities Dagtek offers are divided into several sections in different areas, one of which is their arst & crafts workshop.

Dagtek Art & Crafts is looking for a volunteer to support the Art & Crafts workshop, which focuses on various handicrafts such as weaving, fabric printing, knitting, embroidery, sewing, and felting. The goal is to develop the skills of our participants, many of whom have education or training in textile craftsmanship, while providing them with opportunities for creative expression.

The volunteer will assist clients in their daily activities, help organize workshops, and actively contribute to their craft projects. This experience will enhance your organizational and social skills, while also allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with special needs by fostering inclusion and community connection.

The ideal volunteer for this project enjoys working with adults (18–60 years old) with various special needs, is socially active, flexible, and motivated to engage with clients. It’s important to have an interest in visual arts and handicrafts, as well as a willingness to support participants in their creative endeavors. Experience in art or craft techniques will be beneficial, and volunteers should be open to guiding clients in exploring new skills.

We look forward to welcoming enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about creativity and inclusion!

If this project inspires you, you can apply through Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland, direct applications to Dagtek arts & crafs workshop will not be accepted. For more information, visit the main article and follow the application guidelines.

Valona Elderly Services and STEP Education

New volunteer project at Valona Elderly Services and STEP Education: join the Pieksämäki community!

Number of open positions: 1
Volunteer period: 10.1.2025 – 9.7.2025 (6 months)
Location: Pieksämäki, Finland
Application deadline: 28th October 2024

Valona Elderly Services and STEP Education are looking for a volunteer to support their community. Valona provides care and support for elderly people, while STEP Education offers a range of educational programs, including courses for people with special needs. This project offers a unique opportunity to work in both elderly care and educational environments, making a positive impact on individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The volunteer will assist at STEP Education four days a week, supporting teachers in educational activities and providing help to students with their personal development, communication, and teamwork skills. One day a week will be spent at Valona Elderly Services, helping staff organize recreational activities such as arts & crafts, music, and outdoor walks for elderly residents. The volunteer will also assist with meal times and wellness activities like hair and hand care. This role allows volunteers to bring their own skills and creativity to brighten the daily lives of the elderly.

The ideal volunteer for this project is someone who enjoys working with people of different ages and backgrounds, has good social and cooperation skills, and is open to learning. Previous experience in social work, education, or elderly care is beneficial but not required—motivation and a positive attitude are the most important qualities. Volunteers should preferably be at least 20 years old and have an interest in organizing group activities.

If this project inspires you, you can apply through Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland. Direct applications to Valona Elderly Services or STEP Education will not be accepted. For more information, visit the main article and follow the application guidelines.

FIXtv

New volunteer project at FIXtv: join the Ekenäs community!

Number of open positions: 1
Volunteer period: 17.2.2025 – 16.2.2026 (12 months)
Location: Ekenäs, Finland
Application deadline: october 28, 2024

FIXtv is looking for a volunteer to support the web-tv channel, created by people with intellectual disabilities together with a mentor. Their goal is to provide positive visibility for people with disabilities in society through engaging programs that can be viewed on our website, fixtv.fi.

The volunteer will assist clients in the daily activities, help organize events, and actively contribute to our film projects. This experience will not only improve your organizational and social skills, but will also allow you to make a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities by fostering inclusion and community connection.

The ideal volunteer for this project is someone who enjoys working with adults (18-60 years old) with various intellectual disabilities, is socially active, flexible and motivated to engage with clients. It is also important to be open to learning Swedish and tolerate rapidly changing situations. It is of benefit to have experience in filmmaking and be familiar with the editing program Premiere Pro or a similar one. We encourage people who are passionate about creativity and inclusion to apply!

If this project inspires you, you can apply through Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland, direct applications to FIXtv will not be accepted. For more information, visit the main article and follow the application guidelines.

New Volunteer Project at Nicehearts: Join the Espoo Community!

• Number of open positions: 1
• Volunteering period: 14.1.–14.7.2025 (6 months, 2 last weeks being holiday)
• Location: Espoo, Finland
• Application deadline: 28th October 2024

Nicehearts is looking for a volunteer to contribute to support activities at the Community House (Yhteisötalo) in Espoo, a vibrant and dynamic space where classes, events, and recreational activities are organized for people of all ages.

The volunteer will support the activities of the Espoo Community House, organizing events, activities for children and youth, and offering support to participants. This experience will not only enrich your organizational and social skills, but also give you the opportunity to actively contribute to the social inclusion of people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

The ideal volunteer for this project is someone who enjoys working with children and youth, independent, friendly and patient and is important to be open to learning the principles of safe spaces and anti-racism and willing to contribute creativity and initiative. Nicehearts encourages the participation of women and non-binary people.

If this project inspires you, you can apply through Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland, direct applications to the voluntary workplace will not be accepted. For more information, visit the main article and follow the application guidelines.

Join Nicehearts and help create a more inclusive community!

Are you wishing to volunteer abroad next year? Good news, you still have time to apply for the January-February 2025 departure of the International Cultural Youth Exchange program!

There are places available in Ecuador (6 months only), the Philippines, Ghana, Indonesia, Morocco, Mexico, Peru (6 months only), Tanzania, Thailand, New Zealand and the Philippines.

The ICYE program gives you the opportunity to volunteer in the local community, immerse yourself in everyday life abroad, and develop your skills. The aim is a shared learning experience, where your worldview expands and new faces become friends.

ICYE volunteers are hosted by organisations in many sectors. Find volunteering opportunities on the ICYE network’s search engine (icye.org), where you can browse volunteering opportunities by country and work theme, including:

• education
• environment
• health
• human rights
• office work
• socially excluded groups
• sport/culture

You will get training for your volunteering experience. There is a participation fee for the program. Besides training, the fee includes accommodation, daily meals, and insurance, for example.

Find out more about the program
Application instructions and the application form

“I volunteer at a camp centre and have done a lot of maintenance and activities for children and young people. The most rewarding part has definitely been watching the children learn new skills and find their inner courage. I would recommend international volunteering to anyone who is interested, as you get a completely different experience of cultures and people.” These greetings Niilo sent us from New Zealand this season. If you would like to experience ICYE volunteering next season, apply now!

We will fill positions as and when we find suitable applicants, and the closing date for applications is 1 September 2024.

Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland is a youth exchange organisation founded in 1958. Through Maailmanvaihto, young adults can travel to and from Finland for 6–12 months of international volunteering. Through intercultural learning for a more equal world, is our vision. Our organisation is religiously and politically non-attached.