International Citizen Service
International Citizen Service (ICS) is a global volunteering programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) which gives young people across the UK the chance to join in the fight against global poverty. According to David Cameron it was inspired by the Peace Corps.[1]
Launched in 2011, ICS sent 1,250 UK volunteers overseas in its first year. Over the next three years 7,000 18-25 year olds will have the opportunity to volunteer for 10 to 12 weeks in a developing country on projects to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people.
The scheme aims to bring young people from different countries together to fight poverty, making a difference where it's needed the most.It also broadens the horizons of the volunteers and helps them develop soft skills such as team working and communication. ICS volunteers work directly alongside local volunteers on projects that have been specifically chosen to ensure that the energies and skills that young people bring can make a direct impact on poor communities. Following their placements ICS volunteers embark on a community project on their return to the UK.
ICS is implemented by a consortium of seven volunteering agencies, led by Voluntary Service Overseas. The members of the consortium are:
- Skillshare International
- International Service
- Progressio
- Raleigh International
- Restless Development
- Tearfund
- VSO
ICS also work in partnership with Catch 22 and Islamic Relief to recruit and support volunteers in the UK.
ICS is open to everyone. All volunteers are asked to fundraise but no one will be excluded on grounds of cost and all volunteers receive support to help them meet their fundraising goals.
References
- As of this edit, this article uses content from "DFID - Young people to make a difference to the world’s poorest – International Citizen Service opens", which is licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 which permits reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, but not under the GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.
- Directgov - International Citizen Service opens for applications
- Bradford Telegraph and Argus - Volunteer bid given backing
Restless Development ICS volunteer features on the BBC news website.
Restless Development launches International Citizen Service.
Student calls for others to volunteer on 'amazing' South Africa scheme.