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, living in Canada, 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, 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 :

    • www.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. These internships will offer Indigenous youth experiences through multiple learning opportunities that blend Land based, online, and experiential learning. Interns will work with partner organizations in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia on projects focused on climate justice, gender equality, food security, sexual and reproductive health rights, disability support and youth support. Interns will explore culture, build friendships and supportive relationships, overcome barriers, and engage in the development of healthy communities.
• YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO
  • The YMCA International Youth Internship Program offers a transformative global experience for youth, ages 18–30, in Canada who are Indigenous, racialized, living with disabilities and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and are experiencing barriers to employment. 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
  • Alternatives is launching a new International Internship Program aimed at young Canadians aged 18 to 30 who may face various forms of discrimination in employment. These internships, preceded by a four-week training, last for 3 or 4 months and provide an opportunity to gain 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 excited to launch the African Youth International Internship project that will place participants into structured 4-month internship placements in Liberia and Ghana.
  • The project aims to enhance employment opportunities and leadership capacity for emerging leaders and provide international experience to Canadian youth aged 18-30 years old of African descent by working with local organizations and partners in Ghana and Liberia.  Internships will be focused on themes including gender-empowering educational research 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 the walls of the classroom to be purposeful and connected to life and society. This project will take on the important task of supporting 100 Canadian youth and young adults of African descent to prepare for the future by developing culturally relevant skills and fluency in international development responsive to the emerging needs of the world.
• Canadian National Institute of the Blind
  • Youth with sensory disability face significant barriers to employment compared to their peers. As such, CNIB is providing international internships for persons aged 18-30 who identify as living with sensory disabilities. 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 International
  • Éducation internationale, a cooperative specialized in the internationalization of education, is proud to participate in the IYIP program by offering 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 900 interns to more than forty developing countries.