IYC Suomi

IYC Suomi is a local chapter of International Youth Cooperation. As a European civic organization, we seek to promote volunteerism and participation in charitable work among the youth. At present, International Youth Cooperation operates in eight countries and new local chapters are established regularly. In the year 2015 IYC had more than 4 500 volunteers, who participated in 100 awareness enhancing and enlightening programs and motions which in turn had a direct effect on the lives of 12 300 individuals. International Youth Cooperation aims to reach the youth by making participation as accommodating as possible without straining commitment. Currently, the continuous activities of IYC Suomi consist of the following ventures: -Visiting a rehabilitation institution of the disabled twice a week. Nine volunteers in total take part. -Frequent visits to retirement homes. This project is contributed to by eight volunteers and their friends. -A mentoring program for 10-18-year-old youths with varying immigrant backgrounds. Three volunteers function as mentors. -”Hävitetään hävikki” (Wasting the wastage) -project, which entails distributing of food for the underprivileged twice a week. One person oversees the project, operating as project leader and coordinating 16 volunteers, all of whom participate once a month. In the year 2019 the project will extend its operation, initiating functions in Turku among other things. -Weekly sporting events, which function as a meeting ground for proto-Finns and individuals with foreign backgrounds In addition to the aforementioned, in the year 2018 IYC Suomi organized one Erasmus+ KA105 -youth exchange in Finland, one development cooperation camp in Senegal as well as one solidarity camp aimed at lower secondary schoolers. The camp was held in Spain and entailed a chance for the participants to spend a morning helping in a social cafeteria for the homeless. IYC Suomi is primarily targeting 15-30-year-old youths with an interest for charitable causes but in need of tools with which to organize or take part in charitable projects. Secondarily we are naturally targeting the recipients of the aid our operations provide.