Help Shape the Future: Support YIP Internships

Who are we?

We are the participants of the International Youth Initiative Program (YIP), an educational experience based in Sweden that unites young people from around the world who are committed to creating positive changes in their communities and on a global scale. As part of the program, in February 2025, all 37 of us will take part in international internships with grassroots organizations and we are fundraising to make this possible.

If you want to know about the International Youth Initiative Program, check out the website.

Why do we need your support?

Our internships will provide us with essential skills in our personal and professional development. We will learn from experts, collaborate with local changemakers, and amplify innovative solutions to challenges that the world is facing today. The internships that we have chosen align with YIP’s values of environmental sustainability, social justice, holistic education, and community development.

YIP prioritizes inclusivity. To remove financial barriers, the program does not include internship costs in the tuition fee. This enables young people from a range of backgrounds to attend the course and have the opportunity to participate in the internships.

Where do your donations go?

Every donation will go directly towards covering the essential costs of our internships, such as travel, accommodation, and materials. Your generosity will allow us to focus on learning and giving back, without financial barriers standing in our way.

Why does it matter?

Through donating to this cause, you will be investing in the future generation of change makers. As young people, we feel responsible for the world we have inherited and are committed to tackling the environmental, political, and social challenges we face. Our internships focus on positive, real-life solutions to tackle such challenges. Participating in them will equip us with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to enact positive change in today's complex world.

Here is a glimpse of the internships you will be supporting:

Open Source Arts, UK

Open Source Arts is a community driven space in Leeds, UK that supports professional and amateur artists, performers, and changemakers. The organization provides spaces, resources, and opportunities for people to come together in community to work towards sustainable futures, address societal and global issues, and partake in artistic collaboration and skill-building workshops.

There are five YIP17 participants who will be partaking in the Open Source Arts internship. Milena (Germany), Heda (Czech Republic), Erin (Canada), Miles and Alyssa (USA), will each bring a unique set of skills and experiences to Leeds; they look forward to engaging with the organization’s ongoing work and bringing innovative ideas, perspectives, and their personal creative agendas to the space at large.

Website: https://opensourcearts.co.uk/

Navdanya Biodiversity Farm, India

Navdanya Biodiversity Farm is located in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. As an organization, Navdanya promotes biodiversity conservation, organic farming, the rights of farmers, and the process of seed saving. Navdanya Biodiversity Farm has created a biodiversity sanctuary for birds, butterflies, insects and soil microorganisms, through saving more than 1500 varieties of seeds.

There will be eight participants interning in Navdanya: Aisling (Ireland), Gaby (New Zealand), Oliver (USA), Robert (Germany), Isawara (France), Felix (Belgium), Sarah and Jemima (UK). The participants look forward to furthering their education in sustainable living while working on an eco-feminist farm and working closely with the process of seed saving.

Website: https://www.navdanya.org/

Parzival, Georgia

The Youth Society of Parzival is an international network that fosters personal development and social responsibility. They have built an educational space based on the principles of Waldorf education in one of the Georgian villages, Matsevani. Their main goal is to plan, promote and implement educational and social initiatives of young people in various directions.

There will be four YIP interns working with Parzival this year: Linh (Vietnam), Seunghyun (Korea), Josie (Australia), and Lia (UK). They will be spending their time building skills through organizing workshops, conferences, and youth gatherings that focus on personal growth, leadership, and community-building.

Website: https://www.parzival.ge/

Kufunda, Zimbabwe

Kufunda Learning Village in Zimbabwe is a community dedicated to sustainable living, education, and leadership development. It focuses on empowering local communities through experiential learning, teaching practical skills such as organic farming, renewable energy, and holistic health. Kufunda also hosts workshops and programs aimed at fostering collaboration, self-reliance, and ecological stewardship within Zimbabwe.

Six YIP participants will be heading to Zimbabwe to volunteer at Kufunda: Ania (Poland), Ada (Spain), Mer (USA), Seoyeon (Korea), Lucia (Germany),and Clara (Mexico). Interns will be working in eco-building, tree planting, herbal and natural food practices, biodynamic farming, women’s empowerment initiatives, and working at a Waldorf-inspired school.

Website: https://www.kufunda.org/

Hebat el Nile, Egypt

Six YIP interns will be heading to Egypt to work at Hebat El Nile, a Waldorf-inspired community school on the West Bank of the Nile River, which provides quality education to children from marginalized communities.

The interns include Minseob (Korea), Branwen (UK), Yuan-heng (Taiwan), Nele (Germany), Charly and Bobby (USA). They will be responsible for lesson planning based on thinking, feeling, and willing. The school’s curriculum fosters creativity, independent thinking, and holistic development, balancing academic, artistic, and physical education.

Website: https://hebatelnile.my.canva.site/?fbclid=IwAR3za7vk_j-VHHactD51QRkY1cL42gj9qMXIKLR_pikI85J80NaOkflIxNA

Gili Eco Trust

Gili Eco Trust works to protect coral reefs, reduce plastic waste, and promote sustainable practices within the local community. Interns will assist with coral restoration, environmental education, and waste management projects, contributing to the preservation of Gili's fragile ecosystem and supporting the community in its efforts toward sustainability.

YIP interns Theo (Italy), Matvey (Germany), Roman (USA), Anousha, Alex and Phoenix (UK) will be working with Gili Eco Trust, an environmental organization based in Indonesia focused on marine conservation, waste management, and sustainable eco-tourism.

Website: https://www.giliecotrust.com/

Holy Green Agro Farm

Holy Green Agro Farm offers training in Anthroposophy, Biodynamic Agriculture, and Waldorf Education, while supporting rural communities in improving their socio-economic conditions. Interns will assist in establishing biodynamic farming practices and helping to expand the farm’s seed bank and educational programs.

YIP interns Bella (Philippines), and Mayu (Japan) will be working with Holy Green Agro Farm in Nepal, a biodynamic farm that provides organic produce to local communities and aims to expand as a center for organic product processing and education.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/holygreenorganicfarm

If you feel called to help us make these internships happen we would be so grateful for any contribution. Thank you for your support!

With love,

YIP 17