ABOUT ICYE UK
Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE UK) is an international volunteering charity working in the field of intercultural learning and youth development.
Established in 1993, we work with a network of local partners to organise overseas NGO placements throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. We also arrange provide placements in the UK for international volunteers to support local charities here, meaning ours is a truly unique cultural exchange!
Volunteering with ICYE-UK is a transformational experience with real impact. Our ethical programme promotes peace and intercultural awareness, helping to fulfil our mission through culture sharing and by encouraging young people to live, learn and work together.
We Believe
Vision
A world where the sharing of cultures and ideas is embraced, celebrated and lived.
Mission
ICYE UK works with people who see volunteering abroad as a chance to broaden their horizons and develop themselves as individuals through intercultural learning.
Through supporting local projects that matter, living with a host family and receiving extensive pre-departure and on-arrival training, all volunteers have opportunities to build skills, enhance social and personal development and take part in social action at their project. Here’s how are programme is ethical, immersive, impactful and supportive for each volunteer.
Our Values
Responsibility
We care about the volunteers, partners and communities we work with and take steps to ensure our influence is a positive one.
Valuing People
People are at the heart of our organisation; we help develop their skills and experiences, respect their opinions and seek their active input to improve our organisation.
Working in Partnership
We are stronger by working with a range of local and international partners and benefit from their expertise and assistance
Being Supportive
We’re passionate about each one of our volunteers and partners and invest time and resources to ensure they have the best possible experience
ICYE UK is a member of The International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, ICYE, and an association of independent youth organisations which provide youth mobility, intercultural learning and international voluntary service opportunities. Established in 1949 the Federation was initially known as the “International Christian Youth Exchange”, and was designed to restore trust and peace between Germany and the USA after the horrors of World War two. Today, ICYE continues to help young people break down prejudices and develop intercultural understanding and competence for a more just and peaceful world.
Since its inception, the Federation has provided placements for over 30,000 volunteers and is now a leader in international youth exchange and volunteering programmes with more than 60 years’ experience of promoting young peoples’ active and global citizenship.
With a head office in Berlin, the Federation now sends over 1200 volunteers per year to support over 800 projects in 40 member countries.
Our unique approach to international volunteering was commended on 15th September 1987, when, in recognition of “a significant contribution to the programme and objectives of the International Year of Peace, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly”, the UN Secretary-General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, designated ICYE as a Peace Messenger.
The ICYE Federation is also affiliated to and works with the support of the following international organisations:
- UN-Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC (Consultative Status)
- United Nations Department of Public Information – DPI-NGO Committee
- UNESCO – NGO official partner of UNESCO (Consultative Status)
- UNESCO – NGOs Liaison Committee
- World Council of Churches (working relations as international ecumenical organisation)
- European Commission, Directorate General Educate and Culture
- Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS)
Team ICYE:
At ICYE UK we have a small staff team dedicated to supporting our volunteers and running the programmes. As a small team we are able to get to know our volunteers individually which enables us to provide comprehensive support.
The work of ICYE UK is overseen by the Board of Trustees and we are very lucky to also have support from the members of ICYE UK who help with various activities including organising and running events such as training camps, assisting with fundraising and marketing and attending events on behalf of the organisation. ICYE UK members are mainly people who have previously taken part in an ICYE programme but we also welcome support from others who share our mission, vision and values. If you would like to find out more please get in contact.
Meet the team:
Cat Udal – Manager
Cat is involved in the overall running and administration of the organisation. She supports and develops all the ICYE programmes and is the main contact for ICYE UK within the ICYE Federation. |
Dan Milway – Hosting Programme Coordinator
Dan is responsible for ICYE UK’s Hosting Programme and the well being of the international volunteers (ICYE and EVS volunteers) in the UK – this includes finding and supporting projects, running camps and supporting the volunteers. |
Toka Davani – Sending Programme Coordinator  Toka is the person to contact if you’re based in the UK and would like to volunteer abroad with ICYE UK. She’ll advise you, guide you through the application process, arrange your placement in the host country and support you throughout.
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As a charity, ICYE UK is ultimately run by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees are and must be volunteers and are democratically elected by ICYE UK members at the organisation’s AGM which takes place in Autumn each year. The Board is responsible for ensuring that ICYE UK is operating according to our goals and beliefs whilst making sure that we are a financially stable organisation. They have a key role in long term planning for the organisation and managing the strategy in order to shape ICYE UK’s future.
Currently the Board is made up of 8 trustees who come from a variety of professional backgrounds. All, however, share a passion and commitment for the work of ICYE UK and seek to use their skills and knowledge to the benefit of the charity.
Allan Taylor
Allan has been involved with ICYE UK for many years having originally volunteered abroad in Finland in 2000. Over the years he has carried out many roles for ICYE including working in the office, helping with fundraising events and assisting on training camps. Allan is a youth worker by trade and when he hasn’t been travelling the world he has spent his working life in the charity sector. In his free time he enjoys a good book or a lovely walk in the countryside.
Fabio Puntillo
Dr. Fabio Puntillo is a Sloan Fellow at the London Business School, C-level Director (held positions as General Manager, Vice President, Country Manager, etc.) with over 20 years of international business experience in international business development; 10 years in international higher education/university sector. He worked in North America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Presently, he is the General Manager of CONIFA, Interim CEO of Ureka Education Group, a writer of case studies and papers on teaching materials at the London Business School.
Click here to view his LinkedIn profile
Ines Newman
Ines was involved with ICYE UK in the very early days of the organisation as her daughter took part in the ICYE programme in Mexico and their family also hosted a number of international ICYE volunteers in their orientation period in the UK.
Following a career in local government, Ines has taken on a number of volunteer roles, previously as trustee of Paddington Development Trust and also as a research and campaigns volunteer with Citizens Advice. She joined the ICYE UK board in 2021 bringing strong skills in strategy and business development.
Keith Donnelly – Chair
Keith is the strategic lead for emergency planning across two acute NHS hospitals in London. After a career working in luxury hotels Keith followed his passions for service and for working with people into the NHS. He is also a Chair (Membership) for the Institute of Directors Central London Region on a voluntary basis. Keith is a keen walker, traveller and explorer and was new to ICYE UK when he joined the board in 2021.
Oliver Flor
Olli is an astrophysics student from Austria who started his journey with ICYE in 2018 when he came to the UK to work in a special needs school in Surrey. Throughout the years he was very keen on staying in contact with the organization and started helping out at camps in 2022. As his interest in the organization only grew stronger from there he joined the board of trustees in 2023. When he’s not studying the universe Olli likes to stay active practicing various types of sports such as calisthenics and bouldering.
As a small charity, we are keen to find companies who would like to support our important work in the field of intercultural awareness and youth development. We are especially aiming to strengthen 3 key areas of our work.
- Training costs for our inter-cultural awareness training camps
- Membership engagement to engage more with our Members
- Core costs to support our hosting programme.
In return for a commitment to help fund our work or support us with gifts in kind, we have several opportunities for corporate organisations, including inter-cultural trainings, seminars in the UK and overseas, volunteer opportunities at training camps and more.
Address
Latin America House,
Kingsgate Place, London,
NW6 4TA
Opening Times
10:00 am - 06:00pm
Monday to Friday
Telephone
+44 (0) 20 7681 0983