Our commitment to sustainable development
Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Intercultural Exchange
At Youth For Understanding (YFU), sustainability is not just a principle, it’s part of our daily mission - and has been since our beginnings. From how we design exchange programs to how we operate as national organizations and global network, we believe that empowering people through intercultural education is one of the most powerful ways to build a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.
With 45+ member organizations across six continents, YFU’s large global community turns shared values into real action. Local activities add up to a collective impact that supports the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development and advances key UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Our goal is simple: to embrace sustainability every day, in our choices, communities, and connections across borders - on all levels of YFU.
YFU’s Sustainability Objectives
To turn our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals into action, YFU’s global network implements a binding Sustainable Development Policy with five key Sustainability Objectives that contribute to nine SDGs. These objectives guide how we design our programs, support our volunteers and staff, and operate as national organizations and as a network. Through these goals, YFU ensures that every aspect of our work contributes to creating a more just and sustainable world.
1. Our educational offer for students and host families fosters inclusive, peaceful, and just societies (SDGs 4, 10 and 16)
Through our programs, we nurture democratic values, promote social inclusion, and strengthen conflict resolution skills by empowering individuals with knowledge of human rights, constructive communication, and intercultural understanding.
Within the spectrum of the UN SDGs, YFU focuses on topics close to our DNA where we have skills and competencies to ensure genuine empowerment, in particular:
- Interpersonal skills, intercultural communication and personal development
- Equality, bias and stereotypes
- Democratic culture and human rights
- Conflict resolution and peacebuilding
- Active citizenship and volunteering
We continuously review and improve our educational & support offering to ensure high-quality learning for everybody in YFU.
Specific actions for achieving the SDGs 4, 10 and 16:
- Our Educational Goals form the basis of the educational content for all our program participants and volunteers as well as guide our approach to on-program support.
- Our Learning Outcomes for Orientation Programs (LOOP) framework establishes YFU-wide the subjects and methods of the series of orientations that YFU program participant attend throughout their exchange experience.
2. We strengthen our volunteers’ capacity for intercultural understanding and civic responsibility (SDGs 4, 10 and 16)
YFU equips volunteers with the skills and knowledge to understand global challenges such as inequality, climate change, and threats to democracy. We encourage them to take action, both locally and globally, to promote fairness, inclusion, and sustainability.
Through our Volunteer Management Network (VMN), we connect and support volunteers across YFU. This global network helps share best practices, strengthen collaboration, and foster lifelong learning and engagement, empowering volunteers to make a real difference in their communities and beyond.
Specific actions for achieving the SDGs 4, 10 and 16:
The Volunteer Management Network (VMN) strengthens YFU’s global volunteer community and enhances collaboration across our international network. It supports the growth of a vibrant community of volunteer leaders by helping member organizations connect, share best practices, and exchange ideas on volunteer management and development. Through the VMN, volunteers gain access to training, resources, and opportunities for lifelong learning and engagement with YFU, both at home and abroad.
3. We embed social responsibility as a foundation of sustainable development (SDGs 3, 5, 8)
Our commitment to social responsibility is deeply woven into our operations, ensuring that our global network of staff and volunteers thrives in a culture of respect, equity, and ethical conduct. Our global Social Responsibility Policy encapsulates this.
Specific actions for achieving the SDGs 3, 5 and 8:
- Through our Universal Code of Conduct, we promote inclusive behavior, prevent abuse and harassment, and foster a safe and empowering environment for all. We also uphold rigorous privacy and data protection standards, recognizing that trust and transparency are essential to sustainable development.
- Every YFU Member Organization has a Delegate for Safe Communication, offering a confidential and neutral space for addressing concerns and upholding our values.
- Regular wellbeing surveys for staff and volunteers help us listen, learn, and improve. Anonymous annual surveys assess the emotional and professional wellbeing of staff and volunteers, guiding improvements in HR practices and organizational culture.
4. We enhance environmental sustainability in YFU (SDGs 12, 13)
We commit to minimizing our environmental impact in all aspects of our operations. This includes adopting sustainable practices in mobility, reducing waste and energy consumption, and ensuring ethical standards in partnerships and supply chains.
Specific actions for achieving the SDGs 12 and 13:
- Recognizing the impact of travel, which is inevitable in the context of our programs, we apply a Carbon Offsetting Program for all student exchange travels to and from their host country. This includes a flat carbon offset contribution per program participant based on the actual carbon emission produced by YFU students in one program year. These contributions are directed to certified, high-quality carbon offset projects recognized and promoted by the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform to ensure transparency, credibility, and measurable climate benefit. We also actively promote bus or train travel alternatives where feasible, to reduce emissions at the source.
- YFU Member Organizations also commit to greener operations, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. Each YFU organization worldwide has a designated Green Advocate who promotes and oversees the green initiatives in YFU offices and activities of the organization. Additionally, YFU established a Green Champion Initiative: an annual competition to recognize the most sustainable YFU organization. Member organizations showcase their green initiatives and improvements; a committee evaluates and selects the Green Champion of the year.
How our Carbon offset program works:
Starting with the 2026 program year, all YFU exchange students contribute a flat-rate fee which is included in their program price to offset the emissions generated by their travel. The fee is calculated using a global travel matrix that estimates YFU’s annual emissions based on actual travel routes and distances of the previous program year and draws on recognized platforms to determine the amount of compensation.
Collected by the YFU Global Office via the national YFU organizations, the funds are then pooled and annually allocated to projects recognized by the United Nations Carbon Offset Platform, which supports high-impact, certified projects around the world, such as renewable energy, reforestation, and community-based climate resilience.
Through this program, YFU ensures that the life-changing experience of cultural exchange contributes to a more climate-conscious and sustainable world.
5. We establish local and global partnerships focusing on Sustainable Development (SDG 17)
YFU is a youth exchange organization with an educational ambition, and this will remain the core and focus of our activities; however, we cooperate with strategic partners to broaden our coverage of sustainability topics which YFU cannot deliver with its own resources and skillset.
By adding the complementing capabilities, experiences, and networks of partners, we further enhance our impact on sustainable development without losing focus on our core strengths.
"Sustainability is not a single achievement; it is a continuous journey."
We are aware that our contributions can only make a small difference. But we believe that every action matters and we want to inspire others. We are committed to learning, improving, and collaborating with all members of our community to build a stronger, more sustainable future.
Join us as we create positive impact!
