ICYE is celebrating 75 years!
75 years of learning and understanding
History, mission and vision
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE), we reflect on our remarkable journey as a global, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering intercultural learning and providing meaningful international volunteer opportunities.
Our story began in 1949 when 50 German teenagers ventured across the Atlantic, welcomed as ICYE “exchangees” into host families in the USA. Shortly after, we established a reciprocal program, inviting youth from the USA to spend a year with European families. Since then, ICYE has continually evolved, facilitating both long and short-term exchanges in countries all over the world, while promoting gender equality, inclusion, and environmental regeneration through our community programs.
Today, the ICYE Federation stands as an international, independent, non-profit organization with 40 National Committees as members and a significant presence across all continents. We take pride in approaching our work with a strong focus on human rights and intersectionality, driving sustainable social change.
Our Vision: We envision a world filled with diverse, engaged individuals and communities who contribute to social justice, solidarity, peace, and environmental sustainability.
Our Mission: We strive to offer high-quality, impactful intercultural learning experiences that empower all participants to make meaningful contributions toward a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. We are especially committed to supporting young people in building their personal and professional competencies.
ICYE is dedicated to collaborating with those who share our commitment to:
- Strive for justice for all who face social, political, economic, and personal injustices
- Break down barriers between cultures and peoples
- Uphold equality among cultures, nations, and genders
- Foster international and intercultural understanding
- Raise awareness of local and global socio-economic and political issues
- Inspire active commitment to address these challenges during and beyond the exchange experience
Together, let’s continue our mission to make a positive impact on the world.
Here’s to the next chapter in ICYE’s journey!
75 years of unforgettable memories
What our former volunteers say about us!
Through the years, our organisation has gathered comments from former ICYE volunteers who shared their experiences and feelings about their volunteering programme.
75 years of identity and goals
ICYE’s new visual identity
We’re excited to announce that as part of our 75th anniversary, we are rebranding of our visual profile!
With 75 years of experience, ICYE recognizes the importance of regularly evolving to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. In response to global challenges like the COVID pandemic, climate change, and rising extremism, we are developing a new strategy for 2026-2030, revising our quality assurance framework, and rethinking how to decolonize our international volunteering program. As part of this exciting transformation, we have also refreshed our visual identity to better reflect our evolving mission and values.
Our rebranding effort stems from a strong desire to create a visual identity that reflects our enduring commitment to interculturality, solidarity, global citizenship, peace, and community action. These core values remain at the heart of everything we do.
A key element of our new identity is the bold new logo featuring an upside-down world map, symbolizing our global reach and the inclusive, intercultural community we foster. By placing the Global South at the top, we challenge traditional narratives and underscore our dedication to equity and decolonization in international volunteering. Alongside the new logo, we’ve introduced a fresh, dynamic color scheme that reflects the energy, diversity, and optimism of our global community.
By unifying our visual identity across all platforms, we ensure that ICYE’s brand is stronger, more cohesive, and recognizable worldwide, empowering all members to communicate our mission with clarity and impact.
75 years of inspiring change through youth exchange!
Looking ahead
As ICYE celebrates 75 years of fostering intercultural exchange, we look ahead with a renewed commitment to strengthening our impact. The upcoming strategic work of our global federation focuses on positioning our work more effectively, enhancing the quality of our exchange programs, and mobilizing new funding sources to support equitable participation. With a strong emphasis on digital opportunities, youth engagement, and sustainability, we are ready to navigate the evolving challenges of our world, ensuring that ICYE continues to be a driving force inspiring social change through youth exchange.
Thank you!
Finally, we just want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers, partners, staff – everyone who has contributed to ICYE’s mission and impact throughout the years. Without your support, dedication and commitment, there would be no ICYE.
Together we have built a community that fosters social justice, equality, and sustainability – an organization that creates change through youth exchange!
We encourage you all to share your own memories and experiences with the hashtags:
#75yearsICYE #ICYE #IVS #InternationalVolunteering
#InspiringChangeThroughExchange
