Who Are We?

Established in 1991, International Youth Association EstYES is a trailblazer in Estonia’s cultural and youth exchange scene. Our mission? To create opportunities for self-discovery and global connection through non-formal education and voluntary service.

 

What We Stand For:

  • Empowering Youth: Fostering personal growth through non-formal education and intercultural experiences.
  • Strengthening Communities: Supporting local development through international voluntary service.
  • Building Bridges: Promoting global solidarity, mutual understanding, and respect through international cooperation.

 

What We Do:

  • Summer Camps: Every year, we host over 50 volunteer camps across Estonia, welcoming 600+ international volunteers.
  • ESC Opportunities: Around 40 volunteers from across Europe join our long-term European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects, contributing to social services, youth work, and education.
  • Global Adventures for Estonians: We open doors for young Estonians to participate in voluntary camps, youth exchanges, ESC programs, training events, and seminars abroad.

 

Who Can Join?
We work primarily with young people aged 13 to 30, but our projects are open to all ages. We’re also committed to creating opportunities for young people with physical challenges.

 

Our Network of Partners:
We’re proud members of:

  • SCI (Service Civil International) and the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations since 1994-95.
  • ICYE (International Cultural Youth Exchange) since 1999.
  • CCIVS (Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service) by UNESCO since 2007.

Our global network spans Europe, Asia, and Mexico, thanks to collaborations through EU Capacity Building Projects.

 

How We Fund Our Mission:
Our programs are supported by:

  • Participant contributions and fees.
  • Grants from Erasmus+, European Youth Foundation, European Solidarity Corps, and more.

We remain proudly independent and do not rely on state funding.