At ICYE, our actions are shaped by the priorities of young people and grounded in a commitment to solidarity, justice, sustainability, and intercultural learning. These priorities guide the way we design programmes, partner with communities, and support volunteers to become active global citizens. The following four areas reflect both our values and our concrete actions around the world.
Our actions, guided by youth priorities
Decolonisation
ICYE actively works to dismantle colonial legacies within international volunteer service. Through the Decolonise IVS! project, ICYE and partners engage in critical dialogue and reflection on how historic power imbalances continue to shape volunteering today. This project has brought organisations from the Global South and Global North together to examine structures, develop tools and guidelines, and advocate for equitable partnerships that centre communities’ needs rather than reproduce old hierarchies. By challenging dominant narratives and promoting inclusive frameworks, we work to make international volunteering more just and reflective of diverse experiences.
Diversity and Equality
Diversity and equality are at the heart of ICYE’s vision. We strive to ensure that people of all backgrounds — whatever their culture, class, gender, identity, or ability — can participate fully and meaningfully. Projects and collaborations around the world reflect this priority. For example, ICYE Austria partners with local groups like Ljubljana Pride to mainstream inclusivity in volunteering and intercultural education. ICYE Nigeria works with marginalised communities and environmental projects to broaden access and impact. These initiatives promote understanding across differences and contribute to more inclusive, equitable societies.
Climate Justice
Young people around the world are demanding urgent responses to the climate crisis, especially where environmental harm intersects with social injustice. ICYE responds through projects such as LIVE-EX — Living Earth Exchange, an Erasmus+ funded virtual exchange bringing together youth from Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe to build digital skills, promote climate justice advocacy, and engage in intercultural action. This project empowers young people to understand climate colonialism, develop environmental awareness, and advocate for equitable solutions in their communities. It demonstrates how climate action and youth engagement can go hand in hand, building networks for sustainable impact.
Intercultural Learning
Intercultural learning is foundational to everything ICYE does. Every short- and long-term volunteer exchange is designed a space for deep cultural engagement, mutual learning, and meaningful dialogue. Through programmes that place volunteers in community projects with host families, shared activities, and regional gatherings, young people learn to navigate difference, listen across cultures, and appreciate diverse worldviews. Projects like intercultural training seminars, collaborative youth workshops, and skills-sharing exchanges help volunteers connect personal experience to global realities and contribute to peace, respect and understanding in everyday life.
Across all these priorities, ICYE is committed to collective action, deep learning, and shared responsibility. Young people are not passively involved — they shape our direction, influence our collaborations, and bring their lived experiences to bear on the world. By focusing on decolonisation, diversity and equality, climate justice, and intercultural learning, ICYE supports youth to not only understand global issues, but to act for meaningful change.
Our partners
We work with the support of or in cooperation with:
