ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp 2024

[Moses joel Adetokunbo]

Application Deadline 25/03/2024

ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp

"Young Volunteers in Post Disaster Psychosocial Support"

The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkiye are organizing the ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp "Young Volunteers in Post Disaster Psychosocial Support" from 23 April to 5 May 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye

BACKGROUND

The inhabitants of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States face disproportionate impacts from large-scale crises stemming from a combination of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Regrettably, this trend is on the rise, compounding the challenges faced by people in these regions.

Over the last four decades, catastrophes and disasters (natural disasters, humanitarian crises, conflicts, etc.)  within the OIC countries have shown a notable upward trajectory, with incidents significantly increasing from around 681 recorded occurrences in the 1990s to 1747 in the period spanning 2000-2016. While the OIC Member States accounted for 23% of the total number of disaster incidents worldwide from 1980 to 1999, this share rose to 25% during 2000-2016. The impact is staggering, with over 800 million people in the OIC Member States affected by disasters since 1970, with more than 50 million affected in just the last three years alone.[1]

[1] The Humanitarian Crisis Report in OIC Countries, SESRIC, 2017

Given this context, there is an evident need for solutions in post-natural disasters and humanitarian crisis risk reduction and management, particularly in the realm of psychosocial support at national, regional, and international levels. The OIC Member States must develop mechanisms to mitigate their vulnerability and bolster their resilience to various crises.


The OIC-2025 Programme of Action underscores the importance of strengthening joint Islamic humanitarian action and enhancing Member States' resilience through integrated and inclusive measures. Furthermore, on 5 December 2023, International Volunteer Day, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation called upon Member States and OIC institutions to promote volunteering within their communities, aligning with the objectives of the OIC 10-Year Programme of Action (POA). These initiatives reflect a concerted effort to address the pressing needs of communities and build a more resilient future for al

INTRODUCTION

Natural disasters 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 combatting 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 2024 ICYF International Young Volunteers Camp exemplifies Islamic compassion and social responsibility in the recovery process of post-disasters. 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 OBJECTIVE

The Camp targets to achieve the following specific objectives:


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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


AIM

This year, the Camp aims to train young volunteers in post-natural disasters and humanitarian crises psychosocial support and community service, increasing their ability to cope with the effects of disasters and enabling them to serve their communities more effectively.

LOCATION

Location:  Alaaddin Keykubat Youth Camp, Kepez, Antalya, Türkiye

Date: 23 - 28 April 2024 for Young Men

30 April - 5 May 2024 for Young Women

FORMAT AND METHODOLGY

The six (6) day camp program will consist of practical training on post-disaster psychosocial support process, workshops, experience-sharing and NGO meeting sessions, and cultural & sports activities.


150 young volunteers (75 young men, and 75 young women from the OIC Member States, and the Non-OIC Member States) will attend an intensive volunteering training program organized by the ICYF, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, and the international partners.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPANT SELECTION

The final selection will be made by the organizing committee. The applicant should meet the following criteria:



Being a citizen of an OIC Member State and representative of a Muslim community in a Non-OIC Member State.
Ability to communicate in English.
Aged between 18–35.
Understanding key local and/or global issues of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
Ability to work in teams.
Volunteering background and experiences (article, project, photo, video, etc.).
Passionate and responsible to attend the full camp training program.
Demonstrated leadership capacity.


Important note: Only selected participants will be informed about the eligibility of their applications.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 24 March 24.00 GMT +3 (Istanbul Time)

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 an email confirmation containing camp program details.

Due to a tight schedule, there will be no opportunity to inform those who are not selected. The general information on selection results will be posted via the ICYF website and social media accounts.


COSTS

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS 

The participants will cover their international transportation by themselves. The Host Organizers will support international transportation expenses up to 125$.

The Host Organizers will cover only local transportation expenses (from Antalya Airport/ Antalya Bus Station to the camp area and from camp area to Antalya Airport/ Antalya Bus Station).


LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PARTICIPANTS IN TÜRKİYE


The ICYF maximum will cover domestic transportation of the participants (who is living in Türkiye) up to 2500 Turkish Lira.


The Host Organizers will cover local transportation expenses (from Antalya Airport/ Antalya Bus Station to the camp area and from the camp area to Antalya Airport/ Antalya Bus Station).

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.

CERTIFICATE

Full attended participants will be awarded a certificate of participation issued by the ICYF and program partners.

https://icyfdigital.com/EventO/74