The first step in applying from Finland for ICYE volunteering abroad is to fill in the application form. You can download the form from the bottom of this page. If you send us an application, we’ll invite you for a selection interview.
Selection criteria
Applying and starting times and countries
Participation fees
How to apply
Further information
Participants are selected for the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) program based on their application and an interview.
In the selection, the main focus is on personal suitability. The participants need to show an interest in different cultures and people as well as motivation for voluntary work. In addition, openness, flexibility, and the ability to adjust as well as the ability and desire to learn are important during a voluntary work period.
To get selected an applicant must have a rather good idea about which sort of program and conditions they are applying for. One does not have to know the culture of the destination country widely, but one must have some sort of a picture of the prevailing living conditions.
The minimum age limit for participating in the ICYE program is 18 years. The upper age limit varies according to the destination country. The age limit of each country is stated in the country introductions.
The first call for applications for freelance work starting in August-September 2025 will close on 31.10.2024. Applications are open for all ICYE program sites. The same call is also open for applications for the January-February 2026 departure. The second call will close on 31.1.2025. The second call will be open to those places where vacancies remain from the first call.
We will organise a selection interview day for candidates for the call that closes at the end of October 2024 on Saturday 23 November 2024 in Helsinki. It will be possible to attend the interview day remotely via Zoom. We hope that as many candidates as possible will be able to attend the interview on that day. The Secretary General of Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland, Anni Koskela, will be present to explain more about the ICYE program and answer questions from applicants.
The participation fee includes accommodation and daily meals, insurance, training (pre-departure orientation camp in Finland, training on the language and culture in the destination country and two evaluation training (in periods of 6 months one evaluation meeting)), daily travels to work, the support of ICYE office in Finland as well as in the destination country, small pocket money, and a meeting of the returnees in Finland after the return.
NB! The participant also needs to pay for the flights and the visa to the destination country. The participant is responsible for organizing their travels to the destination country.
ICYE’s group insurance only covers participants under 40 years of age. Participants aged 40 and over will have to pay around €400–500 for insurance provided by ICYE.
Maailmanvaihto grants the participants stipends (maximum of 650 €) on an economic basis.
1) Download the application form the ICYE program:
2) Fill in your application form and gather the attachments. The application should include:
3) Email your application to maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi or mail it to the address Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland, Oikokatu 3, 00170 Helsinki.
4) We will contact you and invite you for a selection interview.
Would you like to ask us about applying? Please, contact us at maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi, 050 452 5660.