Month: August 2026

What is Living Treasures? Living Treasures is an Interreg-funded Czech–Austrian project tackling one of the quieter biodiversity crises: the disappearance of rheophilic and limnophilic fish species from upper and middle river reaches and adjacent pools. The project’s goal is to support biological diversity in these waterways and to raise awareness among river managers, watershed authorities, and land administrators about what is at stake. It does so through detailed field data collection, species monitoring, shared databases, and the exchange of best practices in river and habitat management. The real added value lies in the cross-border collaboration between expert teams in hydrology, ichthyology, and limnology on both sides of the Czech–Austrian border. Because rivers, like fish, don’t stop at national borders.   The Team I Work With Within Living Treasures, I am part of the Zachraň karase! (“Save the Crucian Carp!”) team, which is a Czech initiative dedicated to the protection of the crucian carp (Carassius carassius), once one of the most common fish in village ponds and backwater pools across Central Europe, and today critically threatened. The story of the crucian carp’s decline is a striking example of how human changes to the landscape ripple through entire ecosystems. The straightening of rivers, intensive pond management, and the introduction of invasive species, particularly the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), which reproduces through gynogenesis and outcompetes the native crucian carp. My team’s work is to map remaining populations, identify suitable localities for reintroduction, and build the scientific and public foundation needed to bring this species back. What I Actually Do Field and Lab Work A significant part of my time is spent assisting the team during fieldwork: visiting ponds, backwaters, and other aquatic sites, helping with sampling equipment, and observing species directly in their habitats. Identifying a genuine crucian population, which is distinct from the invasive Prussian carp, can be tricky since they look deceptively similar. Consequently, it requires careful observation and methodical work. Back in the lab, I support basic data processing, help organise the datasets collected in the field, and prepare materials for analysis. Meetings and Coordination I participate in team meetings and contribute to the overall coordination of project activities, including note-taking and administrative support. Later this year, a joint meeting with the Austrian project partners is planned. This is an opportunity I am looking forward to, as it will give me a first-hand look at how the cross-border dimension of Interreg cooperation works in practice. Communicating Science to the Public One of the core expectations of my IVY placement is to help convey scientific results to the general public in an understandable form. This is a skill the project crucially needs, and preparing for it has been part of my work from the beginning. The “Wetlands for Life” event, part of the MAYDAY initiative held at Pilsen Zoo, was a direct application of that preparation. Working in the field, surrounded by the very wetland habitat that crucian carp depend on, I had the opportunity to engage with local communities, school groups, and families explaining what is at stake and why a fish that most people have never heard of matters for the health of the broader landscape. Furthermore, the crucian carp is not just a conservation target. It is an indicator species. Where crucian carp survive, it usually means the pond or pool is in reasonably good ecological shape. It means that it is unpolluted, with healthy vegetation, with space for other species too. Helping people understand that connection (from a single fish to a whole ecosystem) is exactly the kind of science communication this project needs, and that IVY is asking me to develop. Who Benefits from my work? The direct beneficiaries of Living Treasures are the species themselves. Crucian carp, but also the weatherfish, sunbleak, and other threatened fish that share the same habitats. Beyond that, the project’s work reaches river managers, watershed authorities, and land administrators who gain practical, evidence-based tools for better decision-making. Schools and local communities gain awareness. And the broader region gains a shared framework for protecting ecosystems that transcend administrative boundaries. Interreg and EU Cohesion Policy exist precisely for challenges like this: shared ecosystems that need shared solutions. Living Treasures is a practical, working example of that principle. For me personally, this placement has deepened my understanding of what science is actually for. It is not only about producing data, but it is more about using knowledge in service of something larger. – Aleš, IVY Project Partner at the Biologické centrum AV ČR / Biology Center CAS, for the Interreg project Living Treasures, under the programme Interreg Austria-Czechia.

My name is Ezgi Ergin. I am an Aquatic Sciences and Engineer graduate from Istanbul University. I am currently involved in the DINO-PATH project as an IVY volunteer. Throughout my education, I had the opportunity to learn about different fish species and aquatic ecosystems, but the story of sturgeons has truly fascinated me.  Having existed for approximately 200 million years, these remarkable creatures silently travel through the waters of the Black Sea while carrying the natural history of the region with them.   Generations of people living along the Black Sea coast have changed, cities have grown, and national borders have shifted. Yet sturgeons have continued their journey between rivers and seas. That is why I have always found their story so impressive. Very few living creatures have managed to survive for millions of years. Unfortunately, life is no longer as easy for sturgeons as it once was. Due to pollution, habitat loss, barriers built on rivers, and many other factors, their populations have declined dramatically. Once an integral part of the Black Sea ecosystem, these species are now facing the risk of extinction. This is where the DINO-PATH project comes in. Led by Istanbul University, the project brings together universities and research institutions from Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania. The project partners include Trakia University and the Institute of Fish Resources from Bulgaria, as well as the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” from Romania. Together, the partners work to better understand sturgeon migration routes, collect scientific data, and contribute to the conservation of these species. As an IVY volunteer, I support the communication activities of the project. I contribute to the preparation of social media content and help promote events and field activities. Through this experience, I am not only learning more about sturgeons, but also witnessing how people from different countries can work together towards a common goal. I believe this is one of the most valuable aspects of the project. Sturgeons do not recognize the borders drawn by humans. They can leave a river and reach the shores of another country. Protecting them therefore requires us to think beyond borders as well. Today, sturgeons are still struggling to survive in the waters of the Black Sea. Every effort made to protect them is of great importance for the future of the species, ensuring that future generations will not have to learn about these extraordinary creatures only from books. Thanks to IVY, being part of this work, being able to use my professional knowledge in a different context, and sharing this story with more people has become a truly valuable experience for me. – Ezgi , IVY Project Partner at the University of Istanbul, for the Interreg project DINO-PATH, under the programme Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin.

Hi, my name is Vojtěch, I am 26 years old and I am volunteering through the IVY programme at the host organisation Euregio Egrensis in the Czech Republic. My volunteering experience is connected to the project “Neighbour’s Language from the Start”, which focuses on supporting cross-border cooperation between Czech and German kindergartens. The project aims to introduce children to the language of the neighbouring country from an early age and to integrate language activities into the everyday life of kindergartens. The idea behind the project is that children become familiar with a language most naturally through authentic and everyday situations. It is therefore not only about learning individual words, but also about coming into contact with the culture, traditions and environment of the neighbouring country. In this way, children can gain their first personal experiences with the cross-border environment from an early age and learn to perceive the neighbouring country as a natural part of the region in which they live. The project involves five kindergartens on the Czech side and five institutions on the German side. On the Czech side, the participating kindergartens are located in Cheb, Sokolov, Kraslice, Skalná and Luby. On the German side, the participating institutions are Kita Quellenzwerge Bad Brambach, Kita Sonnenblick Wohlhausen, Kita Sonnenschein Klingenthal, Kita Juniorkiste Eichigt and Kita Marieney. The project therefore creates a common framework for cooperation between preschool institutions on both sides of the Saxon-Czech border. Since the beginning of my placement, I have had the opportunity to observe how cross-border cooperation works in practice. As part of the project activities and its documentation, I have visited all participating kindergartens on the Czech side and observed language animations in different educational environments. Each kindergarten has its own atmosphere, way of working and group dynamics, which has allowed me to notice how differently children can respond to activities connected to the language of the neighbouring country. An important part of the project is not only the language activities in kindergartens, but also cultural events, meetings with partners and the involvement of parents. Thanks to this, the project does not remain limited to individual kindergartens, but creates a broader space for meeting, sharing experiences and building relationships between people on both sides of the border. The support provided by the host organisation Euregio Egrensis has also played an important role in my volunteering experience. From the beginning, the project goals, activities and broader context were clearly introduced to me. This made it easier for me to become involved in an already established project and to gradually understand how individual activities contribute to its overall objectives. One of the most interesting aspects of this experience for me is seeing that cross-border cooperation becomes real not only at the level of institutions and project documents, but above all through everyday activities. Even simple language games, shared experiences or meetings can contribute to openness, understanding and a natural relationship with the neighbouring country. Being involved in this project also allows me to better understand the importance of European territorial cooperation and the role of initiatives such as Interreg and IVY in supporting local communities. The project shows that international cooperation can take a very concrete form and have a visible impact directly in regions, schools and among the youngest generation. Through this volunteering experience, I am gaining valuable insight into the implementation of a cross-border project, cooperation between partners and the practical benefits of Czech-German initiatives. It is motivating to see how a project developed at the European level can support concrete activities in local communities and contribute to long-term connections between people on both sides of the border. I am glad to be part of a project that supports cooperation, openness and creates opportunities for meeting and connecting from an early age. – Vojtěch, IVY Project Partner at the Regional Association of Municipalities and Towns Euregio Egrensis (Regionální sdružení obcí a měst Euregio Egrensis), for the Interreg project NLS – Jazyk sousedů od začátku ( Neighbour`s Language from the Start), under the programme Interreg Saxony – Czech Republic.

Servus! Ich bin Prislaine und ich komme aus dem Südwesten Frankreichs… and honestly, that’s about where my German level ends! My daily challenge is the Austrian keyboard: every time I try to type a simple “m”, a “ö” appears instead. But hey, I still manage to get my work done (and order ice cream!), so I’d say I’m adapting just fine. On 7 April 2026, I joined the Interreg Alpine Space programme team in Salzburg, as a Reporter. Alongside my wonderful colleagues, we are part of the Joint Secretariat which carries out the day-to-day implementation of the programme. Our role is to support projects across seven Alpine countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland) to tackle Alpine-specific challenges. I share this experience with my partner in crime, Helena, who is the intern of the programme. Together, we help the communication team bring these stories to life. My daily tasks include creating content for social media and helping with event logistics. To celebrate Europe Day, we organized an EU BUS QUIZ. It was a fun day where participants did a blind test and a quiz about Europe (the winner even got a little gift!). I also took charge of the programme’s application to the Interreg SLAM competition, writing the fictional story of Alma to highlight two of our projects dealing with snow and tourism. Even if my focus is on communication, it’s great because I can join meetings and trainings to get a broader view of European programmes. Outside of the office, Salzburg is a fantastic city. You can easily access wild nature, go for a hike or a bike ride, and even take a quick after-work swim in the lakes. So, if you see me hunting for the “m” key today, just know I’m busy writing my next chapter in the Alps. Schönen Tag! – Prislaine , IVY Reporter for the programme Interreg Alpine Space.

Hello from Giresun, the city of hazelnuts! I am Bensu Kurtay, a Sociology master’s student at Middle East Technical University (METU). As an Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY), I’ve had the chance to join easyPEST – “Establishing long-term monitoring system for plant pests around the Black Sea”, a project funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. The project was officially launched with a clear and important goal: to build a long-term monitoring system for plant pests around the Black Sea region. easyPEST combines artificial intelligence and citizen science to detect invasive plant pests early, before they can cause serious damage. By encouraging cross-border cooperation, the project aims to protect forests, secure agricultural production, and preserve biodiversity across the Black Sea Basin. The project is led by the Giresun Governorship (Turkey), together with partners from Greece and Georgia: Trabzon University, the Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA (HAO-DIMITRA), and Ilia State University. This international mix means constant exchange of knowledge, methods, and experience between institutions with different backgrounds but a shared goal. Through this volunteering experience, I’ve been supporting the project’s reporting tasks, as well as visual and design work — helping with the website and social media presence. It’s been an interesting way to connect my academic background with an environmental, science-driven project like this one. And now comes the most exciting part of my volunteering: soon I’ll be heading up into the mountains of the Black Sea region together with expert biologists and entomologists, to take part in the actual pest-monitoring fieldwork! P.S. Thanks to IVY, I had the chance to come to Giresun for the first time, and I fell in love with the nature here. If you ever get the chance, please visit the Black Sea Region! I’m looking forward to sharing more about this hands-on experience soon. – Bensu, IVY Project Partner at the Giresun Governorship, for the Interreg project EasyPEST, under the programme Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin.

When I have started my volunteering experience as an IVY Reporter at the EUSALP Secretariat, I thought I knew what European cooperation looked like. I imagined meetings, policies, and institutional work taking place behind closed doors. A few months later, I have discovered something very different: European cooperation is, above all, about people. Since April, I have been part of the Communication Service, where I help bring the work of EUSALP to life through social media, content creation, photography, and video editing. Every day, I have the opportunity to transform ideas, events, and projects into stories that people can understand and connect with. What I enjoy most is that no two days are the same. One day I might be preparing content for social media, the next I am editing a video from an event or interviewing participants about their experience. Through the 4Support EUSALP project, I have helped showcase initiatives such as the 4Support Eusalp kick-off, Pitch Your Project, the AI Hackathon, the Digital Alps Conference, the Macro-Regional Strategies (MRS) Days, the EUSALP Annual Forum, and the Energy Award. Each event has introduced me to new ideas, inspiring people, and innovative projects that demonstrate how cooperation can make a real difference across the Alpine region. What has surprised me the most is everything I have learned beyond communication itself. Before joining the Secretariat, I knew very little about macro-regional strategies. I had heard the term “cross-border cooperation,” but it remained quite abstract to me. Today, I understand that it is something much more tangible. It is regions choosing to work together instead of separately. It is experts, local authorities, researchers, entrepreneurs, and young people sharing their knowledge to tackle common challenges from climate change and energy transition to innovation and digitalisation. Being behind the scenes has allowed me to see the amount of collaboration, commitment, and passion that goes into every initiative. The events I help communicate are not simply conferences or meetings; they are places where ideas become partnerships and where discussions can lead to concrete projects that benefit people across borders. As someone working in communication, this has also changed the way I see my own role. Communication is not just about publishing posts or producing videos. It is about giving visibility to the people behind the projects, making European initiatives more accessible, and helping citizens understand why cooperation matters in their everyday lives. Every story shared, every interview recorded, and every video published becomes another way of connecting Europe with its citizens. This experience has also helped me grow personally. I have strengthened my skills in digital communication, visual storytelling, and video production, while becoming more confident working in an international environment. Most importantly, I have learned to adapt, to be curious, and to appreciate the value of teamwork across cultures and languages. Looking back, I realise that my IVY experience is about much more than professional development. It has given me a new perspective on Europe itself. Instead of seeing European cooperation as something distant, I now see the people behind it: colleagues who are passionate about their work, project partners who believe in collaboration, and young innovators eager to contribute to a more sustainable future. This experience has reminded me that Europe is built every day not only through policies, but through conversations, partnerships, creativity, and trust. I feel grateful to contribute to this process by helping tell the stories of those who are making it happen. My journey at the EUSALP Secretariat is still ongoing, and I know there is much more to learn. But one thing is already certain: this experience has strengthened my interest in European affairs and shown me that communication has the power to make cooperation visible, meaningful, and inspiring. Sometimes, all it takes is telling the right story to remind people that Europe is not just a mapit is a community working together across borders.   – Adeline, IVY Reporter for the EUSALP Technical Support Secretariat