If you've ever picked up a camera, written a blog post, or recorded a podcast and thought "I wish someone would teach me how to do this properly," the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum has something with your name on it. Every year, ICYF — the youth arm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation — brings young people to Türkiye for hands-on media training, and the 2026 edition is the biggest one yet: 200 participants, split into two camps in beautiful Antalya.
In short: The ICYF International Media Training Camp 2026 is a week-long, mostly-funded journalism and storytelling training programme in Antalya, Türkiye, run with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, TRT Journalism for Juniors and FOKUS PLUS. It's for 18–25 year olds from OIC countries and Muslim communities elsewhere. The 2026 call closed on 30 August 2026, so this guide prepares you for the next edition.
● Applications Closed
Quick Overview
- Host Country: Türkiye
- Host Institution: Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Türkiye, TRT Journalism for Juniors and FOKUS PLUS
- Degree Level: Open to all — no degree or student status required
- Program Duration: 6 days (Young Men: 16–21 October 2026; Young Women: 28 October–2 November 2026)
- Funding Type: Funded (accommodation, meals, training and local costs covered; travel partly reimbursed)
- Deadline: 30 August 2026, 23:59 GMT+3 (Istanbul time) — now closed; next round expected mid-2027
Benefits of the ICYF International Media Training Camp
Let's be honest about the money first, because this is where most people get confused. This camp is generously supported, but it is not a blank-cheque fully funded trip. Here's the real breakdown:
- Free accommodation — You stay at the Antalya Alaaddin Keykubat Youth Camp for the full duration, with no room or board charges.
- All meals included — Breakfast, lunch and dinner are covered by the organisers throughout the camp.
- Professional training at no cost — Expert-led workshops in journalism, digital media and storytelling, delivered by TRT Journalism for Juniors professionals.
- Local transfers arranged — The host organiser arranges and pays for transfers to and from the airport or bus station.
- City tours covered — Cultural sightseeing connected to local hospitality is part of the package.
- Health insurance during the camp — You're covered for the duration of the programme (but arrange your own travel insurance for the flights, which is explicitly excluded).
- International travel reimbursement up to $250 — You book and pay for your own flights first, then ICYF reimburses up to $250 USD afterwards. Türkiye residents get up to 3,500 TL for domestic travel.
- Certificate of participation — Full attendees receive a certificate jointly issued by ICYF and TRT – J4J, which carries real weight on a media CV.
- Pathway to future opportunities — Outstanding participants can be considered for future ICYF leadership and media initiatives, so the camp can become a longer relationship.
What you pay for yourself: your Turkish visa and its fees, any flight costs above the $250 cap, travel insurance, and personal spending money. One more thing worth knowing — the official call states outright that priority goes to applicants who can cover their own flight ticket. That's not fine print; it's stated openly, so budget accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria for the ICYF International Media Training Camp
The eligibility list is short, and every line is a real filter. There is no degree requirement, no IELTS-style test, and no demand for professional experience — demonstrated interest is the standard.
- Age 18–25 — You must be between 18 and 25 years old. If your birthday falls close to the camp dates, email the organisers before applying, because the call doesn't specify whether age is assessed on application day or camp day.
- OIC connection — You must be a citizen of an OIC Member State, or a member of a Muslim community in a non-OIC country.
- English proficiency — You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English. And here's the strict bit: the application form itself must be completed in English, in capital letters in the call. Have someone proofread it.
- Genuine interest in media — You need to show interest in media, research, storytelling or community engagement. Campus journalists, content creators, volunteers and community organisers all qualify — you don't need a media degree.
- New faces only — You must never have joined the ICYF media camp in the previous year. The point is to bring fresh people into the network.
How to Apply for the ICYF International Media Training Camp
Applications run through ICYF's own digital platform. When the call is live, the steps look like this:
1. Create an account on the ICYF Digital platform — Head to the official ICYF digital portal and register. This is the only official route; the call names no application fee anywhere, so anyone asking you to pay for a place is running a scam. 2. Open the Media Training Camp call — Find the camp listing (for 2026 it was event number 99 on the platform) and start the application form. 3. Complete the form in English — Every field, in English. Show your media interest with specifics: link a published article, a video, a podcast, a campus newspaper or a campaign you ran. Evidence beats adjectives. 4. Write directly to the selection criteria — The committee scores you on motivation, leadership potential, creativity, commitment to social impact, and balanced regional representation. Answer each one by name. 5. Submit before the deadline — For 2026 the cut-off was 30 August 2026, 23:59 Istanbul time (GMT+3). Note that Istanbul time may fall in the middle of your night — submit a day early. 6. Wait for the announcement — Selection happens through September; only selected participants are contacted, with announcements shared via the ICYF website and social media. If you hear nothing, check your spam folder once, then treat it as a no. 7. Prepare for possible travel fast — Between the acceptance announcement and the camp can be as little as two weeks. Sort out your passport early.
Required Documents
The official call keeps paperwork light — the application form on the ICYF digital platform is the main requirement. Practically, have these ready:
- Completed online application form (in English, on the ICYF digital portal)
- Valid passport with enough validity for travel to Türkiye
- Links to your media work — articles, videos, podcasts or social content that shows your interest in storytelling
- Visa invitation letter — provided by ICYF on request after selection; request it immediately, not the week before you fly
ICYF International Media Training Camp Deadline
The 2026 call closed on 30 August 2026, 23:59 GMT+3 (Istanbul time). Selections were evaluated through September, with participants announced between 25 and 30 September 2026, ahead of the two October camps.
Since that window has passed, the honest play is to treat this as your preparation guide. ICYF runs youth camps on an annual rhythm, so expect the next media camp call around mid-2027, likely opening in August again. Between now and then: build a small portfolio of stories, follow ICYF's official channels, and keep your passport valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ICYF International Media Training Camp really fully funded?
Not in the all-expenses-paid sense. Accommodation, meals, training, local transfers, city tours and camp health insurance are covered, and international travel is reimbursed up to $250 USD. But you pay your own flights upfront, your visa fees, travel insurance and anything above the $250 flight cap. The call also states priority goes to applicants who can cover their own ticket, so plan for that.
What exactly does the $250 travel reimbursement cover?
It's a reimbursement, not an advance. You book and pay for your international flights yourself, and after the camp ICYF reimburses your actual travel costs up to $250 USD. Participants living in Türkiye get up to 3,500 TL for domestic travel instead.
I don't have a media degree. Can I still apply?
Yes. The call asks for demonstrated interest in media, research, storytelling or community engagement — not a qualification. Campus journalists, bloggers, content creators, podcasters and volunteers stand on level footing with media graduates. Links to your actual work carry more weight than credentials.
Is there an application fee?
No. The official call names no application fee, and applications go through ICYF's free digital platform. If anyone asks you to pay them to secure a place, they're not part of this process.
Do I need IELTS or an English test?
No formal English test is required, but you must demonstrate proficiency — and the application form must be completed entirely in English. If your written English is shaky, get a fluent friend to proofread before submitting.
I've attended the ICYF media camp before. Can I reapply?
Not if you attended the previous year's edition — the call explicitly excludes anyone who joined the ICYF media camp in the previous year. The programme is designed to rotate new people through the network.
Will ICYF help me get a Turkish visa?
Only with paperwork. The organisers provide an invitation/participation confirmation letter on request to support your visa application, but the visa itself, the application and every fee are entirely your responsibility. Ask for the letter the moment you're selected.
How are participants selected?
A Selection Committee first checks eligibility, then scores applications on motivation, leadership potential, creativity, commitment to social impact, and balanced regional representation. The committee can add an online interview as a final stage, so keep an eye on your email through September.
Do I get a certificate just for attending?
No — the Certificate of Participation, jointly issued by ICYF and TRT – J4J, goes to participants who complete and fully attend the camp, including the final project you're required to submit. Partial attendance puts it at risk.
When will the next edition be announced?
The 2027 dates had not been announced at the time of writing. Based on the annual rhythm, expect the call around August 2027 for autumn camps, with deadlines similar to the 2026 window (late August). Follow ICYF's official channels so you don't miss it.
Final Words
The ICYF Media Training Camp is one of those rare programmes that treats young storytellers as professionals-in-training rather than tourists — real trainers, a real final project, and a certificate that actually means something in media circles. The 2026 round has closed, but the playbook above is exactly how you'll compete for the next one. Start building your portfolio now, and you'll walk into the next call ready.
