The International Youth Initiative Program is a social entrepreneur training: exploring inner and outer aspects of life, and developing the skills to make a positive contribution in today’s society.

Youth 18 to 25 work with international experts, doers and innovators, who give an overview of current global issues, challenges we face in society, and encourage an active role in the big picture. The participants learn the skills and knowledge needed to recognize social challenges and use entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage an initiative for social change.

The theory is combined with practical exercises, projects and internships, to make sure the participants get hands-on knowledge. There are also artistic topics. In addition to engagements at local organizations the curriculum includes a four-week internship abroad.

YIP is planned and hosted by an international group of young people who met through the network of the YouthSection. YIP is a project under Vårdinge By Folk High School and hosted at the Rudolf Steiner Seminar in Järna, Sweden.

YIP is action-oriented, and aims to provide young people with opportunities to recognize their potential to work with each other and with communities to enrich their lives and the lives of all those with whom they come into contact.

YIP is rooted in an understanding of comprehensive sustainable development, a commitment to social harmony, and in the importance of local solutions to local problems, with the full involvement of local communities.

The unique contribution of YIP is to bring the creative energies of young people into direct contact with the needs and aspirations of local communities. Through this engagement YIP facilitates the growth and development of both the young people and the communities in which they develop their activities.

YIP is global in scope and international in concept and sees real benefits in bringing young people together from all parts of the world to reflect on the meaning and impact of globalization.