Do you have a passion for storytelling and social media, and want to be part of an organisation that promotes intercultural understanding and peace? Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland is looking for a volunteer to create engaging content. If you’re excited to learn, collaborate, and contribute to meaningful projects, we’d love to have you on board!
Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to international volunteering. We organise long-term volunteer programs for young adults and work to promote intercultural understanding, equality, and peace.
Maailmanvaihto is a member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, a global network of 40 organisations. We coordinate ICYE and European Solidarity Corps volunteering activities, sending around 20–30 volunteers from Finland abroad each year and welcoming approximately 30–40 volunteers from abroad to Finland.
Our office is run by three full-time staff members: the Secretary General, the Program Coordinator, and the Communications Officer. In addition, we host international volunteers each year to support our activities—and now we’re looking for the next one! We also have several dedicated volunteer coworkers who help organise Maailmanvaihto’s activities.
Location
Maailmanvaihto’s office is located in the center of Helsinki, about a ten-minute walk from the central railway station.
Volunteers’ role and tasks
We want to offer our volunteer the opportunity to learn about the work of a youth exchange organisation, gain experience in media and communications, and engage in intercultural learning. An international volunteer brings fresh ideas and perspectives, enriching our organisational culture.
The volunteer will support the office staff by participating especially in external communication work of the organisation – informing young people about the volunteering possibilities and building visibility for the volunteer co-operation and learning that takes place.
The volunteer’s tasks include:
- Creating social media content, especially for Maailmanvaihto’s newly launched TikTok channel
- Planning content and coordinating material collection
- Filming and editing videos
- Taking photos and designing graphics (Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud available)
- Writing texts (mainly in English)
- Gathering experiences from people involved in volunteer programs – volunteers and and others
- Reviewing and updating Maailmanvaihto’s English-language website
- Representing Maailmanvaihto at fairs, events and school visits
- Participating in organising training camps for international volunteers
- Contributing to Maailmanvaihto’s magazine Maailmanvaihtoa – Volunteers’ Voices
- Updating guidebooks and other materials for volunteers
- Developing a small personal project related to media and communication, based on their skills and interests (e.g., a social media campaign)
Volunteers’ profile
This volunteering position is ideal for someone interested in communications – particularly social media and video content – and eager to learn more about international volunteering and working in an NGO.
We are looking for a responsible and well-organised person with strong teamwork and communication skills. Good English skills are an asset for this role. The ideal volunteer is proactive, ready to take on different tasks, eager to learn and apply their skills, and willing to share new ideas.
Due to a tight schedule, this positions is for a young person who doesn’t need a residence permit to Finland.
Accommodation, food, transportation, and days off & holidays
The volunteer will either stay with a host family or live independently in home accommodation in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Lunch will be provided through a lunch allowance, and other meals will be arranged by the host family. A monthly public transport card for the Helsinki area will also be covered.
The volunteer will have two days off per week (usually Saturday and Sunday) and will receive two vacation days per month.
Training during the volunteering period
The volunteer will have an on-arrival training camp and mid-term evaluation camp organised by the Finnish National Agency of the European Solidarity Corps. The volunteer will get access to the Online Language Support (OLS) tool of the European Solidarity Corps to support learning Finnish.
Accessibility information
Maailmanvaihto’s office is partially wheelchair accessible. While it is possible to move around in a wheelchair, there is a doorstep at the entrance (approximately 7 cm high), and the toilet is not large enough for wheelchair access.
If you require additional support due to a disability, a long-term illness, or another reason and would like to discuss whether volunteering at Maailmanvaihto would be suitable for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us at esc@maailmanvaihto.fi. We’re happy to provide more information!
Activity topics
international cooperation, youth, youth work
How to apply?
Further information
- If you wish to ask something about the open position for volunteering at Maailmanvaihto, please, see answers to frequently asked questions and European Solidarity Corps program page.
- If you don’t find an answer to your question, please contact us at Maailmanvaihto at esc@maailmanvaihto.fi.
- Please note that you can only apply for the open position by following the application instructions linked above.
Maailmanvaihto’s social media
Volunteer’s experiences
Nicole: Embracing New Experiences – Volunteering at Maailmanvaihto’s Office
“Ciao! I’m Nicole and right now I’m European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Maailmanvaihto’s office. I started less than a month ago and right now I’m working with incoming volunteers. In the office, they are all really patient and help me to get through all the new stuff.
I really enjoy Helsinki and the life here. It is a really quiet and calm city with all you need in it. I’m loving this experience cause it helps me to go out of my comfort-zone, by living in another country, meeting new people, learning new skills and struggling with English every day (in a good way ofc).
If you’re thinking about leaving for an European Solidarity Corps opportunity, you should definitely do it! I also think that Helsinki and Maailmanvaihto’s office are good places for your opportunity.”
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