North-South Programme

IVS organises exchanges between European and partner organisations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa. The projects are similar to Short Term projects but have different objectives and qualification requirements.

  • The programme is for short term projects only.
  • The programme supports and develops international solidarity and development education perspectives.
  • Volunteers should be 20 or over
  • Volunteers should have already taken part in an SCI/IVS project
  • Volunteers should have language skills relevant to specific countries.

The projects are community based initiatives which focus as much on the intercultural aspect of having an international group working within a local community as on the practical work itself. They do not involve humanitarian or aid work.

Projects involve basic environmental, construction or renovation work. Some social, archaeological and arts-based projects are available, depending on the country. Projects will also involve a social aspect such as health promotion or youth awareness issues. The North-South  Programme promotes understanding and co-operation between North and South and gives participants the opportunity to learn from living a completely different way of life.

The North-South Programme is intended to develop an ongoing group of IVS members interested in North-South Global Issues and share their experiences with future volunteers and to raise awareness about development issues within the wider community.

Find a project

Volunteers need to select up to 6 projects because project hosts select for mixed cultural background and may already have offered a place to a volunteer with a background similar to your own. Use the Project Search Form and consult the explanation to find suitable projects. Note that the number of projects available rises rapidly in March.

How to Apply

There are separate application forms for Asia (English 61K), French Speaking Africa (French 46K) and Latin America (Spanish 46K). All applications for projects in the North-South Programme must be made on the appropriate application form for that country.

  1. You must complete your application in the language required.
  2. If you want to apply for one project, list it on the application form along with your 2nd/3rd project choices, in case your first choice is full. State the country, project code numbers, titles and dates.
  3. You are welcome to apply for 2 or more projects running in the same country, but make sure the dates don’t overlap and give yourself some free time between project start dates.
  4. You can download/photocopy additional copies of the application form and send them together, remember to make sure you include a photograph with each application form.
  5. Applications for some projects require additional ‘motivation statements’ saying why you are applying to do a particular project. This should be stated in the project description, make sure you enclose this information with your application form.
  6. Sign and date the application form(s). Post it with the appropriate fee made payable to ‘IVS GB’ to ‘North South Placements’ at the IVS Office.
  7. We will acknowledge receipt of your application by email when we get it.

Important Notes

  • Please make sure you fulfill any specific requirements for participation in projects (e.g. language skills, work experience) and comply with any additional participation fees payable.
  • There are deadlines for North-South Programme applications. Please make sure that you are aware of them and send your application to us in good time.
  • Participation in projects in the South, means that you should be available to attend the full programme of North-South events (selection days, orientation days and post project activities).
  • Some countries may offer to find ‘host families’ for volunteers who take part in 2 projects in the same country at different times. They may be able to provide you with simple accommodation for a small charge in between projects.
  • One fee is payable for each project you wish to go on. However, you only need to pay one annual membership subscription, so if you are applying to do 2 or more separate projects, deduct the membership fee from any additional project.
  • Projects working with children and vulnerable adults may require you to provide police checks, references and health clearance letters from your doctor. For projects this applies to, it should be stated in the project description. Please only apply for such projects if you are happy to provide such information.
  • We do not have credit card or e-banking facilities. We can only accept payments by cheque or postal order. Therefore, please DO NOT fax or email your application to us.
  • Please make sure that you can adequately cover the costs when applying for projects in far away places or for which there are additional fees payable on arrival at the project.
  • Remember to start making enquiries and applying for visas in good time.

Insurance

You must take out proper private insurance cover before going abroad. This is a condition of participation in the project. This cover should include full accident and medical insurance,and also cover travel cost reimbursement, just in case your project is cancelled at short notice. Ordinary holiday insurance cover is normally okay. If it does not cover “work”, then the SCI insurance policy will cover all “work” situations adequately for you, but it won’t cover any activities outside “work” situations.

The Placement Process

There are deadlines for applying for projects in the South. We should receive your completed application at least 8 weeks before the start of the project. Once we have received your application, we will confirm this by email.  We will let you know as soon as we can.

Once you have been offered a place, you should then attend the North/South Preparation and Orientation days before you leave for your project.