Showcasing Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean: My Experience with the HERIT ADAPT Project
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
My experience as an IVY: diving into Interreg NEXT MED
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
My fulfilling experience as an IVY Project Partner in the Interreg Euro-MED-Germ of Life project
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
My volunteering experience as an IVY Volunteer for the CRADLES project
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
Spreading the Word for Cross-Border Cooperation — My Journey with RES2FIRE
Volunteering with IVY has been an incredibly enriching and eye-opening experience — one that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in contributing to real change in their region while growing both personally and professionally. As an IVY volunteer, I am currently engaged in the Interreg project RES2FIRE, hosted by the University of Western Macedonia, under the excellent guidance of my mentor, Professor Louta Malamati. My main role focuses on the communication aspect of the project – helping to promote its progress and results to the public and raise awareness of its impact. RES2FIRE aims to enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems and local communities against wildfires, especially in the face of climate change. The project involves close collaboration between regions of Greece and neighboring countries, making the spirit of cross-border cooperation very tangible. My daily tasks include preparing communication material, supporting social media outreach, assisting with event coordination, and contributing to reports and dissemination activities. It’s exciting to see how these actions help local stakeholders and citizens better understand the importance of protecting natural resources and cooperating for a sustainable future. Working with my host organization has been smooth, productive, and truly enjoyable. The support I’ve received from Professor Louta and the entire team has been exceptional. The environment is friendly, welcoming, and highly motivating. I feel that my contributions are valued, and I’m learning new things every day. Overall, the IVY experience has been unique and amazing. It combines meaningful work with the chance to meet inspiring people and be part of something greater. If you’re considering applying – don’t think twice. It’s worth it!int – Christos, IVY Project Partner at University of Western Macedonia OUWM, for the Interreg IPA ADRION project RES2FIRE Discover more about RES2FIRE project Click Here
Shaping the future of EU and Interreg: My IVY experience with Interreg IPA ADRION
Ciao, everyone! I’m Larisa, and I volunteered as an IVY Reporter with the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme in Bologna, Italy. My time has been a truly eye-opening experience, and I’m excited to share a bit about what I’ve been doing and learning along the way. What is IPA ADRION? The Interreg IPA ADRION Programme is all about bringing people, projects, and regions together to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face today. It’s a European transnational cooperation programme that works across the Adriatic-Ionian region, involving 10 countries in total. The programme focuses on key areas like innovation, cultural and natural heritage protection, environmental resilience, sustainable transport, and capacity building. In short, it’s helping to shape the future of these regions by fostering European integration and acting as a policy driver for over 70 million people. My role as an IVY Reporter As an IVY volunteer, I’ve had the chance to get involved in a variety of activities that support the programme’s goals. A big part of my work has been analysing survey responses for the Interreg consultation on the European Future Cohesion Policy post-2027, which is all about gathering feedback from stakeholders to help plan for the future of Interreg. It’s basically about figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and how the programme can get even better in the future. It’s satisfying to know that my efforts might contribute to shaping the next steps for such an impactful initiative. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how the data I’ve worked with can help influence decisions for the next phase of the programme. I’ve also participated in some great events. One of the highlights was the consultation event in Bled, Slovenia, where I had the chance to interact with beneficiaries and hear directly from them about what’s working and what needs to change for the future of Interreg. It was inspiring to be a part of those discussions and see how much passion people have for transnational cooperation. I also had the opportunity to observe a Monitoring Committee meeting, where key decisions are made to steer the programme’s direction. It was fascinating to see the inner workings of such a large-scale initiative! What I’ve learned This IVY experience has been such a valuable learning opportunity. I’ve gained insights not only into how transnational cooperation works but also into the real-world impact of programmes like Interreg IPA ADRION. What I love the most is seeing how this programme brings people together across different regions to work towards common goals. It’s inspiring to witness how collaboration can lead to positive change, and I’m proud to be part of it. If you’re thinking about joining the IVY programme, I definitely recommend it! It’s been an amazing opportunity to contribute to something bigger, meet incredible people, and learn so much along the way. – Larisa, IVY Reporter for Interreg IPA Adrion Discover more on Interreg IPA Adrion Click Here
