Step4Life

Step4Life is the umbrella term for LM International's initiative designed to bridge the world of academia with the vital realms of development and humanitarian efforts. Geared towards accelerating the 2030 Agenda, the programme is committed to investing in the next generation of emerging young leaders. It offers immersive experiences that equip youth with the necessary tools to make impactful contributions towards our collective global goals.

LM International continuously seeks competent and driven young professionals who want to be part of something greater, contributing to global development and humanitarian efforts. We offer four trainee tracks as a part of our Step4Life program, designed for students and young professionals in higher education and for recent graduates seeking to enter the humanitarian and development sector. All programmes are grounded on LMs core values, which are faith and human right based.

Our Step4Life programme offer unique opportunities to build your skills, expand your network, and make a real difference in the world.

The programme has four different tracks:

TRACK 1: Academia
TRACK 2: Field Deployment
TRACK 3: Professional Training
TRACK 4: Travel and Explore

Track 1: Academia

This track is for students enrolled in a university or college programme, regardless of degree level or field of study.

We welcome applicants from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including media and communications, development and global studies, organisation and management, security, human resources, engineering, digitalisation, and more.

You may apply to:

  • Write your thesis or final degree project in collaboration with LM International. Be specific in your application about what support or access you need, such as interviewees, thematic expertise, or access to field locations.
  • Undertake a credited internship/attachment (typically 20 weeks) as part of your study programme. Please clarify your area of study, what kind of internship you’re seeking, and which areas of our work you’re interested in.

Key details

  • Duration: Based on your academic programme (preferably around 20 weeks)
  • Type: Unpaid (must be part of your formal studies). If you are looking for engagement abroad we encourage you to apply for a scholarship at your university or college.
  • Support: A supervisor and relevant guidance within LM International or our partners.
  • Location: Placements are matched to your interests and LM Internationals needs and may take place digitally in collaboration with our staff and partners, or in person at one of our offices around the world.
  • LM Report: As part of the “Write your thesis or final degree project” option, you willwrite a separate report highlighting key learnings and findings, tailored to support LM International and its partners in internal and external learning.
APPLY TO ACADEMIA

Track 2: Field Deployment

This track is a graduate traineeship/internship for young professionals at the start of their academic or professional journey, particularly those with a background in development and global studies or related fields, who are looking to gain hands-on experience through our graduate traineeship in humanitarian aid and development work.

Key details

  • Duration: 4-12 months. 
  • Type: Trainee support allowance.
  • Support: Supervision, mentoring, and continuous learning opportunities
  • Location: Placements are matched to your interests and LM Internationals needs and may take place at one of our offices around the world.
APPLY TO FIELD DEPLOYMENT

Track 3: Professional training

This track is a graduate traineeship/internship for young professionals at the start of their academic or professional journey with backgrounds such as media and communications, security, human resources, engineering, IT, who are eager to contribute to a global humanitarian organisation through our graduate traineeship. 

Key details

  • Duration: 4-12 months. 
  • Type: Trainee support allowance.
  • Support: Supervision, mentoring, and continuous learning opportunities
  • Location: Placements are matched to your interests and LM Internationals needs and may take place at one of our offices around the world.
APPLY TO PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Track 4: Travel and explore

Aimed at inspiring young adults to experience development cooperation and humanitarian aid work for a few weeks in partnership with various organisations including youth political associations, churches, and others. Participants may need to meet specific partner requirements, such as membership in the respective organisation.

To maximise impact, LM International collaborates with partners for this track for organisation of trips, one of which is the MAF Co-pilot pro programme.

We will announce upcoming trips on our channels, so stay tuned!

Step4Life program trainee perspectives:

Gustav Kellgren 

As a Step4Life trainee in Track 3: Professional Training in Nairobi, I worked on water and sanitation projects in Kenya and Ethiopia – from drilling borehols and constructing water points such as SPWS and handpumps to developing technical standards and teaching GIS. 

The experience gave me hands-on engineering skills and showed me how vital water is as a driver of life and development.

Moa Lindgren

As part of my university studies, I completed a school-affiliated internship with LM International in Nairobi, focusing on regional advocacy and climate justice. After the internship, I wrote my master’s thesis in collaboration with LM, Exploring the Concept of Knowledge Transfer in Aid, and the organisation later received a condensed report based on my findings. 

This experience gave me unique insights into linking human rights advocacy with organisational strategy, and it also provided me with valuable professional connections for my future.

Emma Berglund

During Step4Life – Track 2: Field Deployment in South Sudan, I supported local partners in projects on water, education and livelihoods, while also working on reporting and donor engagement. I learnt to stay flexible in complex humanitarian contexts and strengthened my skills in partnership and communication.