International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)

The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. This program aims to provide youth aged 18 to 30, Permanent residents and Canadian Citizens; particularly those facing employment barriers^{Footnote 1} , with the opportunity to acquire:

• Professional experience abroad (or in some cases, virtually), in the field of international development;
• Skills to prepare them for future employment or further studies.
• Contribute to the implementation of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Program supports Canadian organizations that send a wide range of interns interested in putting their time and skills to work for communities in developing countries.

Intern placements can range from 1 months to up to 9 months and include pre-departure and return training.

All program-related expenses, such as airfare, transportation costs, visa and passport fees, health insurance, pre-departure and post-internship training, etc., as well as the cost of living on-site, are covered.

Find out how to apply through one of the following organizations:

• The Fisheries and Marine Institute of the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC)
  • Jointly implemented by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, this program offers historically underrepresented youth the opportunity to gain meaningful international work experience. Prioritizing Indigenous, racialized youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and youth who have experienced barriers to employment due to COVID-19, this program will send 190 youth to complete fully funded, 4-month internships with 22 partner organizations in 15 countries throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
    More information can be found at :
    
    • acic-caci.org/internships
    • https://www.mi.mun.ca/departments/miinternational/internationalopportunities/internationalyouthinternshipprogram/
• Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA)
  • Healing Journeys will offer First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth, internships varying from 3 to 6 months, in the field or online. The project will offer 187 Indigenous youth opportunities to meet the needs expressed by local partner organizations and improve their ability to implement programs for climate adaptation, youth development, gender equality, support for people with disabilities; to create more inclusive and non-discriminatory programs and workplaces; and to access Indigenous knowledge sources. In addition to the technical skills specific to their internship, Indigenous youth are expected to be empowered to achieve life goals defined by themselves, engage in employment, education, or the volunteer sector, overcome obstacles, build friendships and supportive relationships, and participate in the development of healthy communities.
• YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO
  • The YMCA International Youth Internship Program offers a transformative global experience to 100 young Canadians, particularly those who belong to or identify as members of groups facing discrimination (people living with disabilities, Indigenous youth, racialized youth, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community). The program includes a 4 to 6-month internship abroad in Colombia (Bogota, Medellin, Cali), Ghana, Togo, or Sierra Leone. Interns join the YMCA network spanning 120 countries, focusing on the World YMCA's Vision 2030 pillars: Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet, and Just World. Projects cover areas like environmental sustainability, mental health, education, and more. Participants develop transferable skills, connect with local leaders, and engage in international cooperation work. In Canada, YMCA Employment Services will support interns with their job search and/or educational journey.
• Alternatives
  • The project implemented by Alternatives is aimed at young Canadians aged 18 to 30 who may face various forms of discrimination in employment. A total of 218 internships are offered; preceded by a four-week training, they will last 3 or 4 months and will provide professional experience in nearly 17 countries in the Global South. The roles encourage youth to get involved in advocating for women's rights, the right to education, or in using media and communication strategies. By working with partner organizations defending human rights, you will contribute to promoting solidarity and international education while highlighting the need to support local initiatives. Does this resonate with you? Take action with us!
• Empowerment Squared and McMaster University
  • Empowerment Squared, in partnership with McMaster University, is pleased to launch the international internship project for 100 young Canadians of African origin, aged 18 to 30, which will place participants in structured 4-month internships in Liberia and Ghana. The project aims to enhance employment opportunities and leadership capacities for emerging young leaders and provide them with international experience. The internships will focus on themes such as educational research promoting gender equality and inclusive growth, as well as climate change mitigation, adaptation, and environmental research. Empowerment Squared and McMaster University believe that education and learning must transcend classroom walls to be useful and connected to life and society. This project will undertake the important task of supporting young interns to prepare for the future by developing culturally relevant skills and knowledge in international development that meet the emerging needs of the world.
• Canadian National Institute of the Blind
  • CNIB plans to offer young Canadians with vision loss or blindness, a sensory disability, or a print and perception disability, three-month internships in a Caribbean or African country. A total of 113 placements will provide targeted youth with the opportunity to work with established local charitable advocacy or service delivery organizations focusing on inclusivity, diversity, and equity initiatives in their respective regions, with a particular emphasis on serving blind populations in their countries. The proposed activities will be related to rehabilitation service delivery, global health, public policy, and social inclusion programs. Internships will span 12 weeks comprising of three weeks of predeparture onboarding and skills development training, eight weeks of international placement at a country in the Caribbean or Africa, followed by one week of concluding activities (reflection and debriefing). CNIB aims to provide meaningful international affairs experiences and real-world skillsets that will provide interns opportunities for success in their future careers.
• Éducation Internationale
  • Éducation internationale, a cooperative specialized in the internationalization of education, is proud to participate in the IYIP program by offering 102 internships in various sectors such as administration, education, pedagogy, languages, communication, environment, human rights, gender equality and inclusion. Young college and university students, as well as those in vocational training and general adult education, can benefit from two types of internships, depending on their profile: short internships (4 to 6 weeks) in group with mentors, and long individual internships (up to 6 months). Internships are offered in several partner organizations in the following countries: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia.

By 2029, IYIP aims to deploy over 1010 interns to more than forty developing countries.