What is COAST?

Progressio’s Community Organising and Social Transformation programme, ICS COAST, enables young people (aged 18-22) who already have some experience, skills and knowledge in community organising and social transformation to use and develop these skills overseas. Volunteering alongside local people, with local organisations, lives will be changed for the better – especially yours.

For 10 weeks, you could be working alongside partners working in community action and social transformation projects and when you get back to the UK, you’ll help your own community to take action on global issues.

There are 12 places on ICS COAST, eight in Malawi and four in Peru. Volunteers will be in groups of four with one group leader who will be over 23 years old.

You’ll be supported by UK-based staff before you go and after you come back, and by in-country staff while you’re away. Like a lot of things, you’ll get out what you put in, but you’ll be supported by us. You’ll be working alongside local communities so you’ll really get a sense of the people, the issues and the place you’re in.
Wherever you go, a commitment to try to learn the basics of the local language and engage with local culture will make the experience better for you and the local people. 

Placement details:

Group 1: Based in Lilongwe, Malawi

Group 2: Based in Mzuzu, Malawi

Group 3: Based in Ica, Peru

For more details on each placement and the organisation please see the ICS COAST placement descriptions.

Application and dates 

Please apply at: https://ics-uk.org.uk/ICSRegistration.aspx

When completing your application please state that you are applying to ICS COAST and your previous experience.

After you have completed your application form, we will assess it and if it meets the selection criteria we will invite you to the selection day.

Criteria for selection

To apply for Progressio ICS COAST you will need to fulfil the following criteria:

You must be:

• UK resident aged 18-22 years old (places are already full for those aged over 23)
• fit to travel
• currently involved in some community action
• comfortable working in a team
• committed to learning from others and from new situations
• open to change and willing to adapt to different circumstances
• sensitive to the needs and concerns of other people
• willing to be hands-on and help solve practical problems
• willing to commit to engaging in post-placement activities in the UK

You must have experience in one or more of the following:

• Organising campaigns
• Community action in the UK
• Developing social media and websites
• Conducting research
• Fundraising
• Spanish would be desirable for Peru

How much does it cost?

How much it costs to participate in the scheme will depend on your particular circumstances and ability to contribute. ICS will be largely funded by the Government but some volunteers will be required to make a financial contribution depending on their household income level. This is to help ensure that a wide spectrum of people from all backgrounds can participate. There is a three tier contribution system for ICS participants linked to your household income:

Tier Household income Contribution

Don’t be daunted by this however. You will receive training and support to fundraise for the costs. Even if you don’t have to pay to participate in ICS COAST, we encourage all volunteers to fundraise because it is a fun way to help raise awareness of development issues, a great opportunity to involve your community in your efforts and to develop valuable fundraising, organisation and communication skills.

In your application, you’ll need to declare the income of the household on which you depend. If you’re dependent on parents/carers (i.e. you rely on their income to fully or partially support you) the household income is the total pre-tax household income for the last tax year – so it includes your parents’ / carers’ income as well as any income you have yourself. Otherwise if you’re financially independent, your household income is your own pre-tax income for the last tax year.

This information must be declared honestly and you may be required to provide evidence to back up the information you have given us before you go overseas.

Apply by the 25^th of October and you could be in a very different place next year! 

Apply at https://ics-uk.org.uk/ICSRegistration.aspx – remember to mention COAST and your previous experience in your application.