My Experience with the Interreg NEXT MED Programme as an IVY Reporter: A Mediterranean Seen by Youth
Hola, I’m Nabil, from Tunisia, an IVY reporter who joined the Interreg NEXT MED Programme for the Western Mediterranean branch office located in Valencia, Spain. I’m so delighted to be part of this family and to discover the culture of this beautiful country. The programme gave me the opportunity for my first experience living abroad. At first, I didn’t have many ideas about what Interreg works on. All I had in mind was that the programme works on development projects across the Mediterranean Sea basin. But the fact that the IVY AEBR posts positions to help young people connect through initiatives seemed more than attractive to me, and I kept reading about it and following the AEBR calls for opportunities and initiatives on social media. Since I came here, thanks to the team in my host organisation, they started introducing me step by step to how it all works: what the IVY project partner means, what reporting exactly involves, what initiatives the programme works on and emphasizes, and the goals for the upcoming years. I was fascinated by the diversity of the programme that I am involved in and how it works on fostering transnational cooperation across 15 countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The people I meet at the events I attend encourage me to think out of the box. These events have given me opportunities to build contacts and connections through interesting networking experiences. Attending events, producing reels, and contributing to the communication strategy and visibility of the programme has been a very enriching experience. Through the forums I have attended, such as those focused on digitalisation projects supporting young people at risk of social exclusion, others on fostering healthy and resilient Mediterranean forests, and others on strengthening resilience to climate change and disasters, I have been able to observe the practical impact of the programme. It also highlights how projects implemented under Cohesion Policy reflect its vision for the future through cooperation, innovation, and shared perspectives. I came from a cinema studies background in Tunisia, so I carry a passion for creating things, even through different formats and aspects. I am enlarging the circle of my knowledge here step by step, and I’m enjoying collaborating with the team, sharing different ideas and perspectives that enrich me both personally and professionally. – Nabil, IVY Reporter at Interreg NEXT_MED National Contact Point Spain
My experience as an IVY Volunteer on the HELIX-SMART project
Hi everyone! My name is Olga and I am a 21-year-old Computer Science student from Greece. I am currently an IVY Project Partner for the HELIX-SMART project in Corfu, and my host organization is the Ionian University. HELIX-SMART is an Interreg Project between Greece and Italy that aims to strengthen and support innovation and digital transformation in SMEs in both regions. The project focuses on helping businesses integrate digital technologies, develop new digital skills, and create innovative products and collaborations. As a volunteer, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in many different aspects of the project. I have been invited to attend meetings between all project partners, which has given me a better understanding of how projects of this scale are coordinated and how partners from different countries can work together towards achieving a common goal. I have also contributed to the communication and visibility of the project, by creating social media posts, as well as suggesting and outlining future ones and helping create newsletters. Additionally, I’ve been given the opportunity to contribute to the more technical aspects of HELIX-SMART. I have assisted with the design of the project’s Digital Twin platform and have suggested activities for the Living Labs. Currently I am focusing on supporting the creation and curation of the material for the project’s E-Learning platform, which is being developed to help SME owners and employees improve and expand their digital skills and knowledge. What pleasantly surprised me is how welcoming and willing everyone has been to listen to my ideas and thoughts. While I’m still learning a lot from this experience, I am treated as a valued and knowledgeable member of the team. The best part is being able to see the project’s real-world impact and being able to be a small part of that. I am excited to continue contributing to HELIX-SMART and to see how the different parts of the project develop. This experience has been an amazing opportunity for me to learn, as well as contribute, and see the difference such a project can make at a regional level. – Olga, IVY Project Partner at the Ionian University, for the Interreg Greece – Italy project HELIX-SMART – excellence Hubs Enhancing Linkages and Innovation for X-border ecosystems and SMART transition
Behind the Scenes of Transnational Cooperation – My volunteering experience at Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE
Billy Joel was right…Vienna did wait for me! Hi, my name is Shannon and I am 23 years old. Coming from France, I am an IVY Reporter for Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE and for the past three months I have been exploring my dream city while getting familiar with the Interreg jargon. The Programme Manual was my first introduction to how projects are guided and supported throughout their implementation. I was struck by how clear and well-structured the framework is for our projects. Then, I stopped reading and started speaking. I reviewed the programme social media channels and website with fresh eyes, bringing the youthful boost I was asked to add. The Joint Secretariat carries out the implementation of the programme. We support and follow 150 projects working together across nine countries (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republik, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Poland), for a smarter, greener, better connected and better governed central Europe. Projects range from launching demand-responsive transport services (DREAM PACE) to creating cooler spaces in cities (Ready4Heat), training healthcare students with virtual reality (VReduMED) and giving vulnerable communities a stronger voice (GEtCoheSive). From the communication unit, I have an eye on these projects, and I am part of the daily expression of concrete cooperation, from the drafting of the newsletter to communication on project websites. I get to write project stories, highlighting transnational cooperation when tackling shared challenges. Some projects might even get some extra attention through a social media reel, as sometimes it is simply easier to say out loud why a project deserves to be seen. That is also why we launched two Reel series this summer, with me taking over the programme’s social media. One is taking stakeholders and curious citizens behind the scenes of cooperation, and another one puts the focus on the future of transnational cooperation. And when I am not playing with the camera, I walk the streets of the Austrian capital, where the FOMO (fear of missing out) gets me every time. My list of places to visit keeps growing, from open-air opera at the Rathaus and trying out all the vegan restaurants in town, to day trips across the border to Bratislava. I am grateful to experience it all with IVY, which combines cooperation that builds bridges between regions and communication that builds bridges between people. – Shannon, IVY Reporter for the programme Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE
LAG OpenLeader: managing a bottom-up strategy that empowers local actors
Hi there, I’m Beatrice and I am part of the Interreg Volunteer Youth initiative! I am currently based in northeastern Italy, volunteering within the Italy-Austria Interreg Program. Here, I volunteer at the Local Action Group (LAG) OpenLeader, which has been involved in the Interreg program for over ten years. The strategy I am volunteering on is the HEurOpen strategy, which involves two additional LAGs: the Italian LAG EuroLeader and the Austrian LAG Region Hermagor. Together, these three LAGs coordinate the HEurOpen strategy, a CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) strategy under the fourth Interreg priority. CLLD strategies are characterized by a bottom-up approach, meaning that local communities become the main actors in shaping the development of their territories. Local actors, such as small enterprises, local entities and organizations, research centers, educational institutions, are those who best understand the needs of their communities. They are therefore directly involved in project activities, as well as in community engagement and decision-making processes fostering active democratic participation. In this way, the CLLD represents a framework of initiatives that enhance and value border regions. As a Local Action Group, we actively support local actors in finding partners, developing ideas, and transforming them into solid and concrete project proposals. My role as an IVY volunteer As an IVY at LAG OpenLeader I primarily support communication activities related to the HEurOpen strategy, promoting the value of the CLLD approach and highlighting approved projects currently under implementation through social media channels. In addition, I contribute to the day-to-day management of the CLLD activities by assisting colleagues in supporting partners with the development of their project proposals and helping prepare meetings and events with project partners and other stakeholders. I regularly attend meetings with the CLLD HEurOpen management group; this allows me to gain insight into how the strategy is coordinated and implemented, as well as how cooperation among partners is structured. Furthermore, I participate in meetings with the consortia working to build synergies and develop joint projects. As part of these activities, my colleagues and I occasionally travel within the HEurOpen area, between Italy and Austria, to meet the project partners. What I appreciate most about the HEurOpen strategy is seeing how local actors bring their ideas to life through concrete projects. It is inspiring to observe how they come together to address local challenges through cross-border cooperation. I can truly see how the CLLD Interreg strategy fosters dialogue between border regions, helping communities get to know each other and work together for the well-being of their territories. This gives me so great hope for a more cohesive and collaborative Europe! – Beatrice, IVY Project Partner at Local Action Group OPEN LEADER soc. Cons. A r.l. – CLLLD HEurOpen , for the Interreg Italy-Austria project MGMT-HEO – Strategy HEurOpen
My IVY experience at the Joint Secretariat Interreg Italy-Austria
I am Aurora, and during my IVY experience within the Interreg Italy- Austria programme I had the opportunity to visit and make videos about several projects that promote interregional cooperation, support local communities and foster sustainable development across borders. In particular, the Interreg Italy–Austria programme places strong emphasis on the CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) approach, a method within European Union Cohesion Policy. CLLD is a bottom-up model where local communities actively participate in designing and implementing development strategies. Instead of decisions being made at a higher institutional level, local stakeholders, such as municipalities, associations, schools, and businesses, collaborate to identify needs and shape projects that respond to their territory. One example I visited is a cross-border project in the Terra Raetica region (a cross-border Alpine region spanning parts of northern Italy, western Austria, and Switzerland) focused on marble quarries and mining heritage. The project aims to valorise the historical and cultural significance of mining by connecting tourism, education, and local economic activities. It includes museum development, guided tours, school programmes, and the creation of cycling and rail tourism routes. What makes it a clear example of CLLD is its bottom-up nature: local actors such as museums, schools, and regional partners collaborate directly to decide how to preserve and promote their shared heritage, ensuring that the project reflects local needs and knowledge. Overall, this experience showed me how Interreg projects go beyond cross-border cooperation. They actively empower communities to take part in shaping their own development, turning local heritage and resources into shared opportunities for sustainable growth and stronger regional identity. – Aurora, IVY Reporter for Interreg Italy-Austria.
From Learning to Regenerating: My IVY Experience with Regenera4MED
Hi! I’m Emma Cozens, an IVY volunteer working with B.Link Barcelona Strategic Projects on the Interreg Euro-MED project Regenera4MED. During my volunteering period in Barcelona, I’ve had the chance to live and work in a city that perfectly reflects the spirit of European cooperation. Barcelona is a vibrant, multicultural, and dynamic place, where different cultures, ideas, and people come together. It’s also a city facing real challenges linked to tourism and sustainability, which makes it the perfect environment to work on a project like Regenera4MED. Regenera4MED brings together partners from across the Mediterranean (Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Croatia, and Slovenia) to co-create and test a regenerative tourism model. The goal is not just sustainability but actively improving the places we visit and live in, while helping regions adapt to climate change. As part of my IVY experience, I’ve been involved in a wide range of tasks. I’ve supported cross-fertilisation activities, connecting with other European projects to exchange knowledge and identify collaboration opportunities. I have also helped organise the mentoring process for different regenerative tourism experiences across the Mediterranean, bringing together experts, local actors, and pilot initiatives to co-create a shared framework for these experiences. One of the most valuable parts of this experience has been the people I’ve worked with. My colleagues at B.Link have been incredibly supportive from day one, always willing to share their knowledge, guide me through new tasks, and make me feel part of the team. Their support has made a huge difference in my learning process and overall experience. Most of my work takes place in the office, supporting coordination, research, and communication tasks behind the scenes, but what makes it especially exciting is knowing that all this work contributes to real actions that will be implemented on the ground in the future. Our office is in Gràcia, a really nice neighbourhood full of libraries and cozy cafés and we work in a shared co-working space with other professionals, which makes the environment even more dynamic and inspiring. What I enjoy the most about this experience is seeing how European cooperation works in practice. It’s not just policies on paper, it’s real collaboration between people, regions, and ideas. Projects like Regenera4MED show how EU initiatives can have a tangible impact on local communities by promoting more responsible tourism and creating new opportunities. One project I follow closely is CCAM Proving Region. Its main goal is to establish a centre of excellence in the border region focused on the research and deployment of automated vehicles. While the project started as a collaboration between Flemish and Dutch partners, its ambition goes beyond the region. It aims to connect experts from across Europe and contribute to the wider development of automated mobility within the European Union. This shows how Interreg projects not only support local communities but can also have a broader European impact. Being part of IVY has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, while contributing to something meaningful. It’s inspiring to be part of a project that shows how tourism can become a force for positive change. – Emma, IVY Project Partner at B. Link Barcelona Strategic Projects, for the Interreg Euro MED project REGENERA4MED – Towards a Mediterranean model of Regenerative Tourism as Climate Change adaptation and risk prevention
