Are you a young changemaker working to uplift your community through volunteer service? Do you want to strengthen your leadership capacity in humanitarian response while engaging in meaningful cross-cultural learning? The ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp 2025 offers a transformative, fully funded opportunity for youth leaders across the Muslim world and beyond to deepen their impact and global engagement.

Organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, this intensive international Training Program will gather emerging volunteers for two week-long residential sessions in Antalya, Turkey. With a 2025 theme focused on “Psychosocial Wellbeing of Young Volunteers Facing Any Challenges”, the camp equips participants with practical tools for building resilience, mental health awareness, and crisis-readiness.

Selected participants will join workshops, simulation exercises, and cultural exchange experiences designed to strengthen global solidarity and foster leadership rooted in compassion, service, and intercultural understanding. This is more than a camp—it’s a launchpad for a new generation of volunteer leaders.

Host Country:

Turkey

Camp Venue:

Alaaddin Keykubat Youth Camp, Kepez, Antalya

Organized By:

• Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF)

• Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye

Program Dates:

• Young Males: 28 April – 03 May 2025

• Young Females: 05 May – 10 May 2025

Each session will bring together participants from diverse countries and cultures for an immersive, values-driven experience that nurtures resilience and global leadership.

Benefits of the ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp

This fully funded opportunity offers comprehensive support to make participation as accessible and enriching as possible:

• Free accommodation throughout the program at a modern youth camp facility

• Daily meals and refreshments provided at no cost to participants

• Local ground transportation in Türkiye covered by organizers

• International travel reimbursement up to $250

• Official invitation letter for visa support

• Access to all camp training sessions, workshops, and materials

• Fully organized cultural excursions and local city tours

• Certificate of participation issued jointly by ICYF and Turkish authorities

• Networking opportunities with youth leaders from OIC countries, Muslim communities, and partner institutions

From skill-building to sightseeing, this camp offers a holistic experience that combines personal development with intercultural dialogue.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this international Training Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Aged between 18 and 35 years at the time of the camp

• Be a citizen or legal resident of any of the OIC member states, official observer states, or part of Muslim communities in non-OIC countries

• Demonstrated experience in volunteer work, community service, or humanitarian efforts

• Good command of spoken and written English

• Availability and full commitment to attend the entire camp period (no partial attendance is allowed)

This program particularly encourages applications from youth volunteers working in post-crisis areas, refugee support, disaster relief, education access, or psychosocial assistance programs. It welcomes a diversity of experience—from student volunteers to young NGO workers and community organizers.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the official ICYF application portal. Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Go to the official ICYF program portal

2. Create a new account or log in if you’ve previously registered

3. Select the call for ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp 2025

4. Complete the online application form with your personal information, educational and professional background

5. Answer all essay questions thoughtfully—many are designed to assess your experience in volunteerism and readiness to contribute

6. Upload required supporting documents, including:

   • Proof of volunteer work or community engagement

   • A current CV or resume

7. Double-check your contact information, especially email and phone number

8. Submit the application and await confirmation by email

Be clear and authentic in your application—show how your local volunteer experience connects to global humanitarian goals and your readiness to grow as a leader.

Application Deadline:

13 March 2025

All applications must be submitted by 23:59 (Türkiye local time) on the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Early application is strongly recommended to allow for adequate review and processing.

Why Mental Health and Volunteerism Matter

The theme for the 2025 camp, “Psychosocial Wellbeing of Young Volunteers Facing Any Challenges”, reflects a growing awareness of the mental and emotional toll placed on young humanitarians and front-line volunteers.

From pandemic recovery and displacement crises to natural disasters and civil conflicts, youth volunteers often find themselves offering essential services in highly stressful contexts. This program helps participants:

• Learn how to support their own and others’ mental wellbeing

• Build resilience frameworks for use in community projects

• Practice leadership rooted in empathy and emotional intelligence

• Create support networks across national and cultural boundaries

• Better understand the psychological dimensions of humanitarian work

This is not only about volunteering smarter—it’s about sustaining impact without sacrificing personal wellbeing.

Training Components and Activities

The camp curriculum blends theory with hands-on application. Key features include:

• Workshops on psychological first aid, stress management, and trauma-sensitive volunteerism

• Group simulations of humanitarian field scenarios

• Interactive sessions on intercultural communication and conflict resolution

• Roleplay-based exercises on youth leadership under pressure

• Peer group discussions and action planning for post-camp initiatives

• Field trips and collaborative learning with youth from across the OIC region

Sessions are led by experienced facilitators, psychologists, humanitarian experts, and former ICYF camp alumni—offering participants a rich mix of expertise, mentorship, and motivation.

ICYF’s Legacy of Youth Empowerment

The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) is an international institution affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). It is dedicated to promoting youth development, intercultural exchange, and regional cooperation.

The Young Volunteers Camp is one of ICYF’s flagship programs, with previous editions producing alumni who have gone on to:

• Launch successful nonprofit organizations

• Work with UN agencies and international NGOs

• Design mental health outreach programs in refugee communities

• Coordinate disaster response efforts in their home countries

By attending this camp, you don’t just participate in a one-time event—you become part of a global network of changemakers building a more peaceful and just world through youth-led action.