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    • ICYE: Applying Instructions

    Do you live in Finland? Are you interested in volunteering abroad? The ICYE program allows you to travel safely and prepare together. The first step in applying is to fill out the application form, which you can download at the bottom of this page. We invite all applicants to an interview.

    1. Selection criteria
    2. Applying and starting times and countries
    3. Participation fees
    4. Selection day and interviews
    5. After the interview: selection and placement as a volunteer
    6. How to apply

    Applying and starting times and countries

    ICYE volunteering periods begin annually in August–September and January–February. August–September is the main start date for the program. The exact start dates vary from country to country.

    There are two application rounds:

    Application round for the January–February 2027 start! Places are filled in the order applications are received, and the final deadline for submitting applications is September 1, 2026. Applications can be submitted to Bolivia, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand.

    Selection days and interviews

    Two to three weeks after the application period ends, we will organize a selection day to which we will invite all applicants.

    For applicants whose application period ends on October 31, 2025, the selection day will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025. You can participate in person in Helsinki or remotely via Zoom.

    During the day

    If you are unable to attend the selection day, we can arrange an interview at another time.

    Selection criteria

    Participants are selected based on their application and interview.

    3. Participation fees

    Participation fees for the season 2026–27

    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.

    Maailmanvaihto grants the participants stipends (maximum of 650 €) on an economic basis.

    After the interview

    Applicants are selected for a specific country’s program. You will be notified of the selection within approximately one week of the interview. The decision is made by the interviewers’ group together with the Secretary General.

    If you are selected as a participant, you will receive

    We will send a report on your selection interview to the ICYE organisation in your program country.

    Your voluntary workplace will be confirmed no later than approximately one month before departure.

    How to apply

    1) Download and fill in the application form. Please note that this program is open to applicants in Finland only.

    Application form (pdf)
    Application form (docx)

     

    2) Please attach to your application:

    3) Send your application by email (maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi) or post (Maailmanvaihto ry – ICYE Finland, Oikokatu 3, 00170 Helsinki). Submitting your application is the first step, but it is not yet binding.

    4) Wait for an invitation to an interview – we will contact you soon!

    Further information

    Would you like to ask us about applying? Please, contact us at maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi, 050 452 5660.