Month: June 2025

Hey there! I’m a volunteer through the IVY programme, and I’m excited to be part of the Interreg MED project HERIT ADAPT – Heritage and Resilience of Territories through Sustainable Tourism, Climate Change Adaptation, and Citizen Engagement. HERIT ADAPT is an international collaboration that brings together 11 partners from 8 Mediterranean countries, all working towards making tourism more sustainable and helping our regions become more resilient in the face of climate change. The project kicked off in January 2024 and will run until September 2026. How I’m involved:I’m part of the team from the Region of Western Greece, which actually leads the project. My role includes helping out with communication, research, and getting the local community involved. One cool part of my job is supporting the creation of local working groups (TWGs) made up of local stakeholders, citizens, and tourism professionals. Together, we chat, figure out local needs, and co-design a Sustainable Tourism Model that really fits the unique character of our region. What excites me about HERIT ADAPT:This project isn’t just some theory on paper—it’s hands-on, it makes a real difference in the community, it activates people, and it taps into our rich cultural and natural heritage. It also gives us the tools to rethink tourism in a greener, more sustainable way. Plus, I get to collaborate with people from different countries and backgrounds, which is super inspiring! Who benefits:With pilot activities happening in 8 Mediterranean regions—some well-known, others a bit under the radar—HERIT ADAPT benefits local communities, tourism professionals, visitors, and of course, the natural and cultural resources of each area. It brings everyone together, helping us tackle big challenges like climate change through teamwork and fresh, innovative ideas. Want to learn more? Check out the project’s page here:👉 https://heritadapt.interreg-euro-med.euYou can also follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn!📧 Get in touch: heritadapt@interreg-euro-med.eu #HERITADAPT #IVYvolunteers #SustainableTourism #ClimateAction #InterregMED – Theodora-Eleftheria, IVY Project Partner at the REGION OF WESTERN GREECE (RWG) – PERIFEREIA DYTIKIS ELLADAS (PED), Development Planning Directorate, Department of Regional Development Incentives, for the Interreg Euro-MED project Herit Adapt

Hello everyone! I am Alicia Kerekes, an Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) currently volunteering in the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, Branch Office in Valencia. And I would love to tell you more about it! Firstly, I would like to introduce myself better. I grew up in Spain with Romanian origins, which strongly shaped my values and sparked my interest in international cooperation. It was during my experience as an intern at the Spanish Embassy of Libya (in Tunisia) that I realized I wanted to dedicate myself to enhancing transnational cooperation between Europe and its Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods. However, after completing my Master’s in International Relations, with a focus on Europe and the Middle East, I felt disconnected from real-world action: I was looking forward to learning more practical skills and tangible ways to contribute to regional cooperation. So, the opportunity to become an IVY reporter in Interreg NEXT MED was perfect! During these months, I was fortunate to learn a lot about the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, thanks to my colleagues. Interreg NEXT MED’s mission is to foster transnational cooperation across the Mediterranean by supporting key joint projects. And why is it particularly valuable? Because it does not only include EU countries, but also countries from the Southern shore of the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean region continues to face numerous challenges that transcend borders, from environmental threats and climate change to political instability and social inequalities. These pressing regional issues require true cooperation and dialogue to build a brighter future for the region. And this is precisely what the Programme aims for: joining forces to contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable, harmonious, and resilient Mediterranean. I encourage you to explore the projects that have been funded in the past here and the human stories behind them! As for my tasks, I am in charge of supporting the communication team: from helping with the preparations for the Second Call for Proposals to giving a hand in preparing events, and to contributing to the Programme’s Social Media. My main goal is to increase the visibility of transnational cooperation among young people and encourage their involvement in the Programme. I believe Mediterranean youth are a central component of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and a driving force for positive change in the region, something that should be potentiated. My first months have been really rewarding. I am gaining experience and developing valuable skills in the international cooperation field. Equally important, I have the chance to be part of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme and contribute to a more collaborative Mediterranean region. I am deeply grateful for the IVY opportunity 🙂 – Alicia, IVY Reporter for the Interreg NEXT MED Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean Discover more about Interreg Next Med Click Here

Hi everyone! I am Alessandra, the IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Central Europe HUMANITA project.I’ve started my experience in November 2024, in the offices of the Institute of Regional Development of Eurac Research, a private research centre based in Bolzano, Italy. The HUMANITA project is an initiative dedicated to monitoring and assessing tourism impacts in Central Europe’s protected areas. Working on the project has given me an opportunity to dive deeper into cross-border cooperation, and to see multilateral challenges being transformed into opportunities for a sustainable common future. This experience has, until now, not only deepened my understanding of sustainable tourism but also highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts in preserving our natural heritage. Understanding the project and my role HUMANITA was launched in spring 2023 and focuses on developing evidence-based and participatory management tools to monitor and evaluate the impact of tourism in protected areas. By involving visitors, the project aims to collect data, raise awareness, and foster behavioural change towards more sustainable tourism practices. As an IVY Volunteer, my role encompasses assisting in data analysis, deliverables elaboration and promoting the project’s objectives. During my time at Eurac, our role in the project is to sustain visitors’ and community’s engagement throughout activities such as the development of common heritage narratives, as well as elaborating creative videos for the Tuscan-Emilian Appennine National Park or conceptualising pilot actions which will be fundamental to the durability of the project after its completion. Study Visit in Slovenia: Learning Firsthand Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a study visit at the Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke, in Slovenia, where all project partners gathered to exchange ideas, discuss progress, and dive deep into sustainable tourism strategies. It was an intense but enriching experience. Many interesting discussions were made on data collection and monitoring tourism’s impact on nature. Seeing how different partners approach these challenges—from using external data like Strava Metro to interactive educational trails—was fascinating. We also explored ways to engage local communities in participatory monitoring, which is crucial for long-term success of the project. Challenges and future developments Balancing tourism development with nature conservation presents complex challenges. Through the HUMANITA project, I’m understanding the importance of evidence-based strategies and the need for continuous monitoring of tourism’s environmental impacts. Engaging local communities and tourists in participatory monitoring has proven essential in building trust and encouraging sustainable behaviors. Furthermore, the project’s emphasis on collaboration and innovation serves as a model for sustainable tourism initiatives. I am confident that the tools and strategies developed will have a lasting positive impact not only in Central Europe’s protected areas but will represent a best practice for the natural conservation in Europe. Through this project, I’ve realized that sustainability isn’t just about rules, it’s about people. When communities, policymakers, and tourists come together, real change happens. That is why being part of the IVY program is an enriching experience, reinforcing my commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. I encourage fellow youth to engage in such initiatives, as they offer a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference while gaining valuable skills and insights. – Alessandra, IVY Project Partner at Eurac Research for the Interreg Central Europe Project HUMANITA

Hello everyone, My name is Michael, and I am 24 years old. I’m nearly halfway through my experience as an IVY Project Partner in the Germ of Life (GoL) project, a period I already consider as one of the most significant for my personal growth. I have to express my gratitude to my host organization and my mentor for their continuous support and guidance throughout the past two months of my IVY experience. Additionally, I must acknowledge the IVY team who have been incredibly supportive since day one and always available to assist with any needs.  What is GoL The Germ of Life is a project, co-financed by Interreg Euro-MED Programme. It aims to develop an innovative system of digital technologies to enhance the preventive management of drought risks. The project brings together ten entities from six Euro-Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Portugal, France and Spain) to address the critical issue of drought risks. The Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to droughts due to climate change, making this collaboration essential.   It’s main goal The primary objective of the GoL project is to promote climate change adaptation by monitoring ecosystems’ vulnerability and resilience to droughts. This effort will lead to mitigation and adaptation strategies aimed at restoring ecosystem balance in Mediterranean European Countries.   Who benefits from the project The project’s implementation is expected to benefit the local areas of the four pilot sites, each facing unique challenges due to the increasing frequency of droughts. For example, in Italy, the flora and fauna of the Piedmontese Po Park are at risk as water retreats, threatening the ecosystem and many species. In Portugal, the goal is to protect the Mediterranean Temporary Ponds habitat, where water shortages impact native vegetation and endemic species, endangering biodiversity. As for my home country, Greece, the pilot site is located in Western Greece in a semi-mountainous area, Aegialia, known for its vineyards. Our goal is to assist the local viticulturists’ association by providing early warnings of impending drought conditions. This is crucial as droughts in recent years have significantly reduced grape harvests and damaged many vineyards. After all, who doesn’t appreciate  a quality glass of wine ? My role on the project So far, I have been involved in several aspects of the project, contributing to the collective progress and fostering collaboration among partners. The final deliverable of the project is a Vulnerability Assessment Tool which will provide early warnings on impending drought conditions and offer adaptation strategies tailored to the different pilot sites. To achieve this, partners had to discuss the tool’s structure in detail, including input parameters, the drought indices to be used for monitoring, and how the results would be displayed on the platform. Each of the four pilot sites submitted proposals on these topics. I assisted my mentor in drafting a summary document that consolidated all the partners’ suggestions, helping to establish a common approach for the next project phase. Additionally, I have contributed to validating the equations that will be used in the project’s calculations needed and have reviewed relevant literature on how certain parameters might be calculated. Lastly, I have participated in online meetings with project partners to discuss crucial details for each stage of the project’s progress. Observing experts from different countries share their knowledge and work toward a common goal has broadened my perspective and underscored the importance of EU territorial cooperation in tackling societal risks. On an exciting note, just a few days ago the meteorological station at our pilot was set up and we started collecting our first measurements! I’m eager to apply my background in data analysis to further develop the drought vulnerability assessment tool for our project. – Michael, IVY Project Partner at the University of Patras for the Interreg Interreg Euro-MED project Germ of Life Read more about the project Click Here Read more about the host organisation Click Here

Hello everyone! I am Dimitris Mitrogiorgos, I am a 23-year-old post-graduate student from Arta, Greece and I’m currently volunteering in the CRADLES (Creating Resilient Areas to Develop Lifecycles and Ecosystem Services) project as part of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) programme at the University of Ioannina. Having studied computer science at the university, the program gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge and gain work experience while also producing valuable marine data about the Gulf of Ambracia and the Adriatic-Ionian region. CRADLES is an EU‑backed effort uniting seven Adriatic‑Ionian countries to restore the shallow coastal and freshwater “nurseries” where young fish and invertebrates grow. Hit hard by pollution, habitat loss and climate change, these vital wetlands are being mapped, studied and brought back to life using both cutting‑edge science and time‑tested local methods. Partners of the project pilot innovative restoration techniques—from replanting native vegetation to boosting water quality—and share what works through workshops and online toolkits. By tackling nursery conservation across borders, the project not only safeguards biodiversity and supports local communities but also captures carbon as these wetlands recover, making CRADLES a first‑of‑its‑kind regional initiative.   In my three months as a volunteer, I was tasked with parsing satellite images of the region, tracking long and short term environmental changes and noting seasonal patterns, all the while keeping up with the latest research and remote sensing methods to get the most accurate results. The data that has been gathered can be used to monitor sea health as well as prevent contaminations and harmful algal blooms. Thank you for reading about my experience! – Dimitrios, IVY Project Partner at University of Ioannina Panepistimio Ioanninon-Research Committee/ Knowledge and Intelligent Computing Laboratory for the Interreg IPA ADRION  project CRADLES  Read more about the CRADLES project Click Here Read more about the host organisation Click Here

The LIBECCIO project focuses on developing a Big Data-driven decision-making system for tourist destinations. The goal is to enhance the way data is collected, analyzed, and used to support tourism management across various geographic levels. By utilizing modern technologies like web scraping, APIs, and cloud platforms, the project aims to create a robust system that helps improve decision-making in areas such as tourism flow, visitor behavior, and sentiment analysis. My experience with the IVY Program, working within this project, has been incredibly rewarding. The program has introduced me to a world full of new and exciting experiences, allowing me to actively contribute to important discussions and tasks. From collaborating with various project partners to gaining practical experience with advanced data analysis techniques, it has been an eye-opening journey. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how big data can be leveraged to create meaningful solutions for industries like tourism. Overall, the LIBECCIO project and my role in the volunteer program have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of sustainable tourism management while gaining invaluable professional and personal development opportunities. The combination of learning and contributing has made this experience deeply enriching, and I look forward to continuing to grow alongside this impactful initiative. – Ourania, IVY Project Partner at the Athena – Research and Innovation Center in Information, Communications and Knowledge Technologies for the Interreg Project LIBECCIO Learn more about the LIBECCIO Project Click Here Discover more about Athena – Research and Innovation Center in Information, Communications and Knowledge Technologies Click Here