ICYE is a Federation of Full and Associate Member National Committees.

National Committees are autonomous. They develop and run the program according to the needs of the youth of their countries, and following policies and guidelines prepared and adopted by the General Assembly of the Federation.

General Assembly

It is the highest decision-making body of the Federation. It meets every second year - one delegate of each ICYE National Committee attends. The General Assembly discusses and adopts programme and financial policies for the Federation’s plan of activities.

Board of Managers

It meets twice a year. It consists of four members who act and decide on behalf of the General Assembly in between General Assemblies.

Regions

ICYE Regional Associations have been established to provide support on programme development and training to National Committees in Africa, the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and Europe. The work is co-ordinated and carried out on a voluntary basis by regional boards, except in Europe where there are permanent staff plus an Executive Committee in charge of the various programmes.

International Office

It is located in Berlin, Germany. Carries out and co-ordinates activities and programmes as decided by the General Assembly.

Main Activities

Long-term Voluntary Service

The mainstay of ICYE’s activities is the promotion and organisation of worldwide long-term voluntary service. Each year ICYE exchanges hundreds of volunteers between different countries, for periods ranging from six to twelve months. These exchanges aim to provide a new kind of intercultural learning experience for young people, encouraging their social and occupational integration, and supporting the development of local community projects.

Short-term exchange activities

Through its member organisations ICYE organises short-term exchanges such as work camps dealing with community development activities, projects to combat social exclusion, environmental protection, group study visits, language courses and cultural exposure activities.

Seminars and training

ICYE regularly organises issue seminars to discuss content and methodologies of existing programmes as well as to develop new projects and activities. Issues range from youth work, youth mobility, and intercultural learning, to international volunteering, global education, sustainable development and north-south relations.

Training courses on planning, management and evaluation of youth exchange programmes are also organised at national and international level for ICYE staff and co-workers, and youth workers of partner organisations.