IVOLO empowers young people — especially those facing disadvantage — through high-quality international mobility: internships, youth exchanges, work placements, voluntary service and training.
20+
partner countries across 3 continents
2010
Founded in the UK
150+
Funded projects delivered
20+
Countries in our network
1000s
Young people supported
What we do
Meaningful opportunities for the young people who need them most
For over a decade we have connected young people with international learning experiences that broaden horizons, build confidence and open doors.
International mobility
Internships, traineeships, study visits and work placements abroad for VET learners and graduates.
Youth exchanges
Cross-border exchanges where young people co-design projects, share cultures and build life skills.
Volunteering
Voluntary service in the UK and internationally, with a focus on social inclusion and community action.
Training & guidance
Career guidance, soft-skills development, mentoring, CV support and digital skills for future careers.
The programmes behind our work
Trusted delivery through Turing & Erasmus+
Turing Scheme
When the UK left Erasmus+, IVOLO secured Turing Scheme funding to send VET students on placements in Silicon Valley — keeping international opportunity alive during a period of national transition.
Erasmus+ · returning 2027
With the UK rejoining Erasmus+ for 2027/28, we are preparing our communities now — deepening partnerships so young people are ready to benefit the moment new opportunities open.
Every young person deserves the chance to go further
Whether you are a young person, an educator, a youth service or an international partner — there is a place for you in the IVOLO network.
About IVOLO
Over fifteen years of putting young people at the centre
Since our establishment in 2010, IVOLO’s mission has been to empower young people to reach their potential through high-quality international mobility experiences.
Who we are
IVOLO — International Voluntary Organisation for Learning Opportunities — is a UK youth organisation delivering internships, study visits, work placements, voluntary service, youth exchanges, training courses and seminars that broaden horizons and build confidence.
We have built strong relationships with partner organisations across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the USA who share our values and commitment to youth development. In the UK, we work closely with educational establishments, FE and VET colleges, policy makers, youth centres and community organisations.
To empower young people — especially those facing disadvantage — to reach their potential through high-quality international mobility, ensuring youth participation, skills development and social inclusion remain central to everything we do.
Our vision
To foster active citizenship among youth through transversal skills, champion innovative pedagogy and community action, and support social and economic initiatives that benefit local communities.
What we stand for
Our values in practice
Inclusion first
Young people facing disadvantage are at the centre of every programme we design and deliver.
Youth-led
We co-design programmes with young people, youth clubs and international partners — not for them, but with them.
Quality & impact
A long track record of meaningful, innovative, high-quality learning experiences and measurable results.
Peace & non-violence
Themes of peace, non-violence, healthy lifestyles and peer leadership run through our work.
Global outlook
Promoting Britain on the world stage while connecting communities across three continents.
Community action
Supporting volunteering, sport, environmental action and socio-economic initiatives that benefit local communities.
Our journey
From a UK start-up to a European voice
2010
IVOLO is founded
Established in the United Kingdom (registered in England, Company No. 7376875) to open international learning opportunities for young people.
Growing network
A network across 20+ countries
Partnerships built across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the USA, delivering youth mobility, strategic partnerships, capacity building and citizenship programmes.
Post-Brexit
Continuity through the Turing Scheme
When the UK withdrew from Erasmus+, IVOLO secured Turing Scheme funding so VET students could still undertake placements abroad — in Silicon Valley, USA.
October 2026
Recognised by the Council of Europe
A piece of work developed by IVOLO is being implemented by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and presented to Member States as an example of Good Practice.
2027 and beyond
Ready for the return of Erasmus+
As the UK rejoins Erasmus+ for 2027/28, we are preparing communities across the region to seize new international opportunities.
Recognition
A trusted voice at European level
Council of Europe · Strasbourg
Work developed by IVOLO is being implemented by the Council of Europe in October 2026, presented to Member States as Good Practice for widening young people’s access to social rights.
Erasmus+ Inclusion & Diversity Strategy
IVOLO served as the UK Voluntary Sector lead organisation in developing the Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Strategy in the field of Youth, working with SALTO-YOUTH and the European Commission in Brussels.
What we’re doing now & next
Rooted at home, opening doors abroad
IVOLO’s next chapter is about building on strong foundations in our communities while opening international doors through our extensive network.
Working in our communities
We work closely with youth clubs and community organisations across the West Midlands, including SCVYS — which supports over 50,000 young people each year and includes members of the UK Youth Parliament — and South Staffordshire College, supporting soft skills, CV writing and volunteering for young people facing disadvantage.
These clubs provide safe, structured environments where young people can connect, learn and take part in positive experiences that support their wellbeing and personal development.
West MidlandsSCVYS partnershipSouth Staffordshire College
Programme · Turing Scheme
Silicon Valley placements for VET students
When the UK withdrew from Erasmus+, IVOLO successfully secured funding through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, enabling vocational students to undertake placements in Silicon Valley and ensuring continuity of international mobility during a period of national transition.
40k+
UK participants funded in 2023–24
160+
Destinations worldwide
60%
From disadvantaged backgrounds
Turing Scheme figures: UK Government (gov.uk), 2023–24 academic year — programme context, not IVOLO-specific totals.
Programme · Erasmus+
The UK rejoins Erasmus+ in 2027 — and we’re getting ready
The UK will rejoin Erasmus+ for the 2027/28 academic year, with more than 100,000 young people expected to benefit in the first year, administered by the British Council as the UK National Agency. Our focus for 2026–27 is to deepen partnerships with local organisations, school councils and youth services so young people across the region are ready from day one.
Internships, traineeships and apprenticeships for VET learners and graduates
Work placements and job shadowing
Career guidance and counselling
Youth exchanges
Seminars, training courses and study visits
Voluntary opportunities in the UK and internationally
Fundraising activities
Developing new pedagogical methods and putting them into practice
Participation in national, European and international educational programmes
Support for initiatives of public concern, including liaison with local authorities
Assistance in establishing other non-governmental organisations
Membership of networks and organisations with similar aims
Community-beneficial educational and socio-economic initiatives
Informational support for learners seeking work opportunities overseas
Helping to develop national and international volunteer movements
Providing opportunities to learn English
What we’ve accomplished
A long track record of meaningful results
Our work has connected thousands of young people facing disadvantage with opportunities that build confidence, skills and global awareness.
150+
Funded projects delivered across Europe & beyond
20+
Countries in our partner network
3
Continents where our network is active
2010
Delivering since
EU-recognised good practice
Projects recognised as examples of good practice
Forty of our Erasmus+ projects, developed by young people themselves, have been recognised as good practice projects by the European Union. These include the projects Young and Active, City Kids and Game On.
Good practice
Young & Active
United KingdomLithuaniaPortugalBulgaria
56 young people + 8 leaders
Social entrepreneurship in action. A youth exchange in rural Lithuania supporting the inclusion of young people from deprived rural areas by raising the spirit of entrepreneurship and sharing learner-centred approaches for better employability.
Promoting community volunteering as a tool against unemployment and social exclusion in distressed urban areas. Participants gained soft skills, confidence and employability — over half continued into further and higher education.
Urban developmentYouth employmentCivic engagement
Good practice
Game On
United KingdomBulgariaFranceLatviaRomaniaLithuania
6 countries
Fostering cultural acceptance, equality and respect of BAME youth through sports volunteering — an accessible conduit for social cohesion, wellbeing and common European values of fairness and mutual respect.
Social dialogueInclusion & equityMinorities
In the field
Moments from our programmes
Silicon Valley · innovation hubLearning from industry expertsCo-designing with young peopleSeminar with international speakersCampus & study visitAt the European Council · Brussels
Be part of the next chapter
Partner with us, refer a young person, or bring IVOLO’s experience to your community.
Get in touch
Let’s open doors together
Young person, educator, youth service or international partner — we’d love to hear from you.
A UK youth organisation working across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the USA to make international learning accessible to every young person.
