Hello everyone,
My name is Alexandros Stefanakis, I am 22 years old and I am proudly collaborating with the Interreg Euro-MED INFIRE project as an IVY Volunteer.
For the past few months, I have been hosted by Dynamic Vision, a dedicated project partner based in Athens that has warmly welcomed me into the intersection of green finance, climate planning, and regional cooperation.
This experience has broadened my perspective on how intrinsically important innovative financing is; not only to meeting the EU’s 2030 climate targets, but also to the actual implementation of resilience strategies across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
By way of introduction, the project INFIRE (Innovative Financing solutions for climate planning of REsilient and carbon neutral living areas) is concerned with addressing a pressing reality.
The slow transition towards climate neutrality in our region is often stalled by a significant “funding gap”—the inability of public authorities to properly evaluate and mobilize the capital needed for large-scale green investments.
My personal journey as an IVY with INFIRE has been inspiring and intellectually engaging. One of my highlights thus far has been contributing to the project’s communication and engagement strategies, ensuring that complex financial concepts are translated into a narrative that resonates with local stakeholders.
Working with the team at Dynamic Vision, I have experienced how we act as the “Communication Manager” for the entire consortium, identifying dissemination opportunities that capture the interest of general audiences and encourage younger generations to take an active role in climate neutrality.
It has been a pleasure to support the Region of Peloponnese in promoting the Kalamata Mobility Hub, which will provide solar-powered charging for e-bikes and scooters, directly benefiting the daily lives of citizens.
My previous studies often focused on the “what” of climate change—the science and the policy. However, this interactive and professional platform at DYNAMIC VISION has been a welcome change, focusing on the “how”—the actual financial mechanisms that turn a plan on paper into a photovoltaic roof or a nature-based solution in a municipal schoolyard.
As an Interreg Volunteer Youth, my role is centred on stakeholder engagement and communication. I take part in project meetings, co-creation workshops, and discussions related to the development of the Nordic Bridge digital portal.
I help review and reflect on the feedback gathered from these sessions, which I find particularly interesting to be part of. Alongside this, I engage directly with youth organisations, and other non-academic stakeholders to help build community engagement around the Nordic Bridge concept, making sure young people become active partners in shaping the platform rather than passive users.
I am looking forward to the next half of my journey and eagerly await to see what the rest of the year brings in terms of new learning experiences within the IVY journey. Every day brings new knowledge, new perspectives, and new motivations, as I help build the INFIRE Transfer Kit to share our solutions with regions across Europe.
I am grateful for the journey thus far and the opportunity to contribute to a project that not only recognizes the urgent need for a greener Mediterranean, but also actively builds the financial bridges to make that sustainable future a reality.
– Alex, IVY Project Partner at Dynamic Vision, for the Interreg Euro-MED project INFIRE – INnovative FInancing solutions for climate planning of REsilient and carbon neutral living area
