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The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye are organizing the 7th ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp, which will be held from 28 April 2025 to 10 May 2025 in Antalya, Türkiye. The camp is dedicated to equipping young volunteers with essential skills through comprehensive psychosocial support training, empowering them to play a vital role in the recovery processes following humanitarian crises and natural disasters within OIC geography.
Opportunity Details
BACKGROUND
Natural disasters, challenges, and humanitarian crises leave no segment of society untouched, impacting individuals across all age groups. Among those profoundly affected are young people, who often find themselves at the forefront of volunteer efforts in the aftermath. These young volunteers engage for a multitude of reasons, ranging from addressing poverty to combating climate change.
In this framework, the ICYF Volunteering Camps serve as platforms for empowering youth, offering opportunities for skill development, and fostering a sense of agency. Studies indicate the role of young volunteers is significant in providing post-natural disasters and humanitarian crises psychosocial support, where they offer morale, and psychological assistance, and strengthen community solidarity. Their energetic, innovative, and empathetic approaches significantly contribute to the emotional well-being of disaster victims and the overall post-disaster recovery process.
The 2025 ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp exemplifies Islamic compassion and social responsibility in the recovery process of post-disasters, challenges, or crises. By uniting volunteers from the OIC region, this camp not only ensures skill development but also fosters a collective understanding of the principles of volunteerism. Recognizing volunteers' contributions across diverse sectors, including humanitarian aid, education, environmental preservation, and community building, the ICYF embodies a commitment to serving humanity in times of need.
CAMP OBJECTIVES
The Camp targets to achieve the following specific objectives:
1. Providing Psychosocial Support Skills: The camp aims to provide young volunteers with psychosocial support skills. These skills include topics such as empathy, effective communication, stress management, crisis intervention, and support group management.
2. Post-Disaster Preparedness Training: The camp provides post-disaster preparedness training to young volunteers. These trainings may include strategies for emergency planning, first aid practices, understanding disaster risks, and post-disaster recovery processes.
3. Strengthening Community Service Awareness: The camp aims to strengthen young volunteers' awareness of community service and volunteering. In this way, young people are motivated to contribute more effectively to their society.
4. Developing Teamwork and Leadership Skills: The camp offers young volunteers the opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills. This allows young people to effectively come together and support post-disaster communities.
5. Strengthening Social Ties: The camp aims to create a solid solidarity and support network among young volunteers. This allows young people to support each other and become stronger together.
LOCATION AND DATE
Location:
Alaaddin Keykubat Youth Camp, Antalya, Türkiye
Date:
For Young Males: 28 April – 03 May 2025
For Young Females: 05 May – 10 May 2025
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
The participants will cover their own international transportation expenses.
The Host Organizers will support international transportation expenses up to 250$. The Host Organizers will cover only local transportation expenses (from /to) Antalya Airport / Antalya Bus Station to the camp area .
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PARTICIPANTS IN TÜRKİYE
The ICYF will cover domestic transportation of the participants (who live in Türkiye) up to 3500 TL (Turkish Liras).
The Host Organizers will cover local transportation expenses (from /to) Antalya Airport/ Antalya Bus Station to the camp area.
ACCOMMODATION AND FURTHER COSTS:
The Host Organizers will cover accommodation, food, and city tour costs related to local hospitality.
VISA
The Host Organizers will provide a participation confirmation letter for the necessary visa application process. The participants will cover their visa costs by themselves and will be responsible for the visa process by themselves.
CERTIFICATE
Full-attended participants will be awarded a certificate of participation issued by the ICYF and program partners.
The final selection will be made by the organizing committee. The applicant should meet the following criteria:
1. Being a citizen of an OIC Member State, OIC Observe State, or a representative of a Muslim community in non-OIC countries.
2. Ability to communicate in English.
3. Aged between 18–35.
4. Understanding key local/global issues such as natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and any challenges threatening the capacity of youth.
5. Willing to work in teams or groups.
6. Having proven experience/certificates in volunteering is a strong asset.
7. Passionate and responsible to attend the full camp training program.
8. Demonstrated leadership capacity, especially in taking action against challenges threatening the psychosocial well-being of youth.
Important note: Only selected participants will be contacted about the results of their successful application for the Camp.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SELECTION:
The Selection Committee will evaluate the applications based on eligibility and criteria; If the committee decides on further information, can set an online interview as the last stage of selection.
Selected participants will receive email confirmation including camp program details.
An announcement will be shared via the ICYF website and social media accounts.
Only selected participants will receive an email of acceptance to the camp.
Apply for ICYF Young Volunteers Camp