International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)
For over thirty years, Alternatives has carried out numerous initiatives with youth in Quebec and across Canada. With support from Global Affairs Canada’s International Youth Internship Program (IYIP), we are committed to offering high-quality internships in the Global South while contributing to the training of the next generation of leaders in solidarity and international cooperation.
The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The program offers meaningful professional experiences to Permanent Residents and Canadian citizens aged 18 to 30, particularly those facing barriers to employment. Virtual internships lasting twelve weeks are also available for youth who meet specific eligibility criteria.
As many program participants have shared, these internships offer opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and tools that prepare youth for future employment or further education.
The 2024–2029 International Youth Internship Program offers selected youth a valuable opportunity to gain skills and enjoy an enriching experience that includes:
- An international professional internship—or, in some cases, a remote internship—in fields such as international development, education, gender equality, communications, the right to education, environmental protection, and more.
- To better support participants’ professional integration upon their return, workshops are organized to help them enhance their interview skills and refine their job search strategies.
Although international internships are unpaid, all expenses are covered during the placement (airfare, rent in the host country, visa fees, mandatory vaccinations*, emergency medical insurance, daily allowance)
To participate in the program, you must :
- be between the ages of 18 and 30;
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- have never participated in an IYIP internship.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your expected return date.
The IYIP program is particularly aimed at youth facing barriers to employment, particularly those who belong to or identify themselves as members of a group that faces discrimination, such as people living with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, racialized youth and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
However, certain specific conditions may apply depending on the internships offered. These are specified in each mandate posting.
- The application period is open twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.
- Interns are selected based on applications submitted via the registration form accessible through the “Apply” buttons on this page and on each internship posting.
- Once their application has been submitted, shortlisted candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to an in-person (preferably) or virtual interview. Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis.
- We will contact all candidates a few weeks after the selection process closes to inform them of our final decision.
Pre-departure Training in Montreal
Before departing, participants must complete a mandatory two-week preparatory training program (10 business days) in Montreal. This training, conducted in French by experienced trainers, covers several key topics. An additional, shorter online training program in English may also be offered.
Duration and Terms of the Internships
The internships last three months (or 12 weeks when conducted remotely). They take place at partner organizations abroad or, in some cases, virtually from Canada for individuals who are unable to travel internationally.
However, the IYIP represents a full commitment of 4 to 5 months, which will include pre-departure training (2 weeks), an international internship (3 months) or a remote internship (12 weeks), as well as post-internship components including employability training and a mandatory public engagement activity. In addition, selected candidates may be required to attend online workshops prior to the pre-departure training.
Cohort 5
- Application period opens: May 4, 2026
- Application deadline: June 14, 2026
- Pre-departure training: August 24–September 4, 2026
- Internships begin: Second week of September 2026
- Internships end: Second week of December 2026
- Employability training: December 2026 or January 2027
- Public engagement activity: January 2027 or February 2027
Cohort 6
- Applications open: October 2026
- Application deadline: November 2026
- Pre-departure training: February 2027
- Internships begin: March 2027
- Internships end: June 2027
- Employability training: June 2027
- Public engagement activity: June 2027 or July 2027
Information sessions:
We invite you to attend our upcoming information sessions. To register, please select the date that works best for you.
List of available internship positions
America
An available mandate with CLADE:
Africa
Mandates in French
Africa
Mandates in English
An available mandate with Ayin Network.
This internship takes place in Kenya, in partnership with a Sudanese organization.
An available mandate with Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT) :
3 available mandates with CEMCOD:
- Social Media Moderator Intern
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Intern
- Documentation and Content Creation Intern
Two available mandates with SIHA:
Asia
Please note: No internships will be offered in India for Cohort 5 (August–December 2026)
An available mandate with Sinar Project:
An available mandate with NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) and its members:
Please note that political, social, or environmental factors may require us to modify or cancel certain mandates.
Testimonials from our former interns
For more information, please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section before contacting us.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at:
Email: psij@alternatives.ca
Phone: 514-982-6606 #2222
