We at Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland are very happy to welcome volunteers from around the world to this Northern country.
People choose Finland as a place for an international volunteering experience for many reasons. You might be curious about the Finnish education system, drawn to forests, lakes, and Northern Lights, or simply looking for a new perspective on everyday life. Whatever brings you here, we hope your volunteer experience in Suomi, Finland, will be meaningful, inspiring, and full of learning. We welcome volunteers for periods of 6–12 months.
Volunteering in Finland is an opportunity to learn and take part in everyday life in a new context. The aim of our volunteer programs is to build understanding and connections at a grassroots level between people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
The work done by volunteers is important and valued. Instead of financial compensation, volunteers gain intercultural learning, new perspectives, and personal growth.
Volunteers bring fresh ideas, energy, and new viewpoints into their host communities. At the same time, volunteers themselves learn from the people they meet through shared daily routines, collaboration, and language practice. Many placements also make international encounters more accessible for people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage across borders.
We coordinate two volunteering work programs in Finland:
The programs differ mainly in terms of volunteers’ countries of residence and funding. ICYE is intended for volunteers from ICYE countries outside Europe, and participants cover the program costs themselves. The European Solidarity Corps program is primarily for young people living in Europe and is funded by the European Union.
“I dare to say my volunteering in Finland has been very enriching in many ways. It has been a very personal process that I needed before coming here.” – Daniela, a volunteer from Mexico
Maailmanvaihto’s volunteers work in non-profit communities and organisations that can offer meaningful tasks, guidance, and support. Placements include, for example, kindergartens, schools, and workshops and living communities for adults with disabilities.
Volunteers live either with a host family or in more independent housing arrangements, depending on the placement and local possibilities.
Volunteering in Finland is, above all, a learning journey. You will get to know different ways of living in Finland. Along the way, you’ll likely gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your own background.
A volunteer year includes adventures, friendships, and memorable moments, but also everyday life with its challenges. Often, it’s precisely those ordinary moments where the deepest learning happens. So alongside warm clothes, we encourage you to bring curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn.
“Finland has given me many experiences that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I’ve also met not only new friends but people I could call my family.” – Isaura, a volunteer from Costa Rica
