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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 for Interreg project HUMANITA under the Interreg Central Europe Discover more about Interreg project HUMANITA Click Here Discover more about Interreg Central Europe Click Here

Hello! I’m Carolina and I’m currently IVY Interreg Project Partner in Finnova Foundation for the Interreg Spain-Portugal Program and, namely, for the Interreg FIREPOCTEP+ Project. What is it?  Briefly, “Interreg” stands for European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), is one of the two goals of European Cohesion Policy (that aims to correct imbalances between countries and regions), and has the function to implement joint actions and policy exchanges between different Member States of the European Union.  FIREPOCTEP+ aims to strengthen forest fire prevention and suppression systems in the cross-border region between Spain and Portugal known as “La Raya”, where wildfires have become increasingly common due to climate change and deforestation. To reach this goal, the project partners cooperate by sharing their knowledge, experiences, human, material, and financial resources. Lots of actors will benefit from this Project: the partners of the consortium; the cooperation territory and its population; the regional and local administrations, territorial managers and emergency response operatives; the technical professional groups that are specialized in forest fire prevention and suppression, climate change adaptation and mitigation. But what about my contribution? As an IVY Interreg Project Partner, I am supporting Finnova Foundation’s technicians in the management of the Interreg Project, collaborating with the communication and marketing department in creating FIREPOCTEP+ Project’s promotional materials, press releases, and contents for websites and social media; helping in organizing and managing events related to the project; participating in technical meetings and maintaining contact with the project partners. I am also developing sustainability actions for the project and analyzing contents to find appropriate solutions to the cooperation territory’s challenges.  I am grateful to the IVY Program for allowing me to have this experience, being an opportunity to deepen my understanding of European territorial projects, cooperation and Cohesion policies. Moreover, not only can I take part in promoting cooperation between Spain and Portugal, but I am also learning new things, improving languages, meeting people from different countries and backgrounds, and developing useful skills for my professional career. Contributing to the European Cohesion Policy, and to the FIREPOCTEP+ Project in particular, makes me happy and proud because I care a lot about the environment, and I believe in the positive impact we can make every day with our actions. Discover more about Interreg project FIREPOCTEP+ Click Here Discover more about host organisation Click Here

Hello community, hope you’re taking care of yourself and the world surrounding you! I’m Miriam, a 25-year-old Sicilian girl passionate about sustainability and its multiple and intricate facets. As a graduate in Local and Global Development (International Cooperation) from the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, I am indeed deeply committed to supporting causes related to human rights, environmental sustainability, and social and climate justice. My biggest personal and professional interest lies in addressing the climate crisis and its far-reaching socio-economic implications, being aware of the complexities of global development and the interconnectedness of various socio-economic and environmental factors. I’m convinced that this crisis is not only intergenerational and intersectional but also a multiplier of inequalities and disparities, making it one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Discovering the opportunity of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative has been both an energizing boost and a relief, especially during these hard times when trying to find your place after your student life seems to be a never-ending process. Getting to know SVI.MED. – Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Sustainable Development, my hosting organization, has been a kind of game-changer to me, as it gave me the opportunity to make one of my life aspirations come true: coming back to my homeland to leverage my experiences and insights and promote local development through European and International Cooperation. I envision a future where Sicily can benefit from sustainable practices and global partnerships, enhancing its resilience to environmental and socio-economic challenges and doing that with a local organization like SVI.MED. with great knowledge and experience on the topics, seems to be the perfect opportunity to reshape and re-establish relations with my territory. I’m actually collaborating with the organization on the ‘URWAN – Urban Regenerative Water Avant-garde(N)’ project, funded under the Interreg EURO-med programme and focusing on the intersection between urban regeneration and resources management, emphasizing nature-based solutions (NbS) to create greener and resilient cities by addressing challenges such as water management and adaptation to climate change in Mediterranean regions and communities. Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the communication and organisation of the various meetings with the school and community of Ferla – a small Sicilian municipality in the province of Siracusa, known for its good practices – as part of the URWAN project, and to discover new methods of stakeholder engagement through the Start-park methodology, which uses gamification to redesign urban spaces by responding concretely to global challenges reflected in the local context. Starting from February, a series of meetings within the URWAN project and as part of the Start Park process have been launched in the Municipality of Ferla, culminating with a co-design workshop on occasion of the World Water Day, with the aim of co-creating a city that is increasingly resilient to climate change, putting nature and its mechanisms back at the heart of urban and climate planning through a bottom-up co-design process. Witnessing and participating in the organisation of these events has been a great opportunity for personal and human growth for me, I think it is always gratifying to see citizens ready to act in front of today’s challenges, from which to seize opportunities for improvement and a reversal of the dominant development model. I believe that stimulating bottom-up participatory processes is one of the keys to tackling systemic problems! What’s more, during my younger years I’ve been struggling with climate anxiety, learning step by step how to navigate all its different phases. Despite all this, the situation is not always that stable in this respect, but the awareness of contributing to something way bigger together with seeing the questioning but also curious eyes of young (and not only young) people gave an impetus to my personal and even collective wounded capacity to feel hope and to act moved by it. We must learn to navigate and care for this light, to protect it: it is an exercise in collective responsibility and global citizenship, and I thank the IVY initiative and SVI.MED. for giving me this opportunity! Take care and keep dreaming of a greener and nature-based revolution, – Miriam, IVY Project Partner for Interreg project URWAN at SVI.MED Discover more about Interreg project URWAN Click Here Discover more about the Interreg Euro-MED Click Here

Hello IVY community! My name is Konstantinos, and I come from Greece. I am currently volunteering as an IVY at the University of Western Macedonia. My host organization is participating in the URBANFLOODS project, an initiative funded by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme. The goal of this project is to increase the Adriatic-Ionian region’s urban resilience to flood risks. The URBANFLOODS project is promoting urban resilience through an integrated advanced decision support system (DSS) for flood management. With this system, we can enhance flood preparedness by assisting Municipalities, Regional Authorities, and Civil Protection agencies in making fast and effective decisions before flood emergencies happen. Today’s ever-increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, increases the demand for international consortiums and projects that can mitigate flood hazards and protect local communities. The Project brings together 11 partners and 11 associated partners from 8 countries: Albania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The University of Western Macedonia acts as the Lead Partner, coordinating the overall implementation of the project and ensuring smooth collaboration among all participating institutions. As an IVY volunteer, I contribute to the communication and stakeholder engagement activities of the URBANFLOODS project, which promotes cross-border cooperation to enhance flood resilience in the Adriatic-Ionian region. My responsibilities include supporting the dissemination of project outcomes, helping organise events, and raising awareness about the project’s goals among local communities and stakeholders. A highlight of my volunteering experience has been stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging in a truly international environment. Working alongside partners from different countries has helped me better understand the value of cooperation and solidarity in addressing shared challenges. It’s a unique opportunity that has broadened my perspective and helped me grow both personally and professionally. The project will help local communities, municipalities, policy makers, and emergency services implement timely and effective flood mitigation strategies, ultimately protecting lives, infrastructure, and the environment. Taking part in the URBANFLOODS has been an incredible experience for me. I have gained knowledge into environmental risk management, European territorial cooperation, cohesion policy, and the importance of transnational partnerships. I also had the chance to work and engage with experts from different fields and contribute to a project that has a real impact on people’s lives. I am grateful to the IVY programme for giving me this opportunity and to the University of Western Macedonia for their guidance and support. I encourage young people to explore IVY programs and discover the many ways they can contribute to European cooperation and sustainability. – Konstantinos, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg project URBANFLOODS Discover more about URBANFLOODS Click Here Discover more about Interreg IPA Adrion Click Here

I’m Flavia, a volunteer in the CO2 PACMAN project. I’m physically located in my own country, Italy, but I’m mentally throughout the Mediterranean! The project, in fact, aims to decarbonize Mediterranean islands, with Brac, Crete, and Elba serving as pilot sites. Partners from seven countries are working together toward this goal, driven by a fundamental principle: a shared sense of responsibility and commitment to community values that unites and strengthens these efforts. This is also what drives me, or I should say us, as volunteers. We work together, never alone, to build a shared future, and through instruments like Interreg, I’ve come to realize the incredible potential we hold in our hands.   From the beginning of my volunteering experience, my mentor’s priority has been to involve me in meetings and activities, allowing me to understand directly how the project works and what it means to engage with the project partners. This has given me a comprehensive understanding of roles, responsibilities and opportunities – an invaluable experience considering my deep interest in European affairs. One of the greatest moments of my journey was to participate in the project’s “Rooting Lab” in Elba and Florence, a three-day event which I partly helped to organize. Here, project partners met local businesses, authorities, and citizens to discuss concrete strategies for the ecological transition. Attending this event was incredibly enriching: it allowed me to interact with some of the stakeholders and understand the locals’ different perspectives on decarbonization. A key part of CO2 PACMAN is citizen engagement, and I had the privilege of contributing by inviting Silvia Moroni, a sustainability expert and advocate, well known in Italy for her project “Parla Sostenibile”. In Portoferraio (Elba), she brought people together in an engaging discussion that made sustainability relatable and accessible. Being surrounded by such motivated individuals and promising discussions, I truly felt like an active citizen, advocating for the project’s goals of decarbonization and sustainability. This has not only reinforced my commitment to climate action but also deepened my connection to the European vision of cooperation. I also feel incredibly lucky to be hosted by the Ecodynamics Group of the University of Siena, a multidisciplinary team of researchers dedicated to building a prosperous, and at the same time sustainable, society. Being part of this environment has made my experience even more inspiring! Among the things I’m most proud of is the realization of a podcast episode that I recorded within the already existing podcast “CO2 PACMAN”. You can listen to it here to learn more about my volunteering experience and the project itself – it is available in Italian too. Through this, I hope to inspire listeners and young people to embrace the power of cooperation. Additionally, I contributed developing an educational board game designed to engage high school students in exploring strategies to reduce CO2 emissions in an entertaining way. In particular, I designed the game board’s graphics and I tested gameplay mechanics with a team responsible for the activities to be carried out with the students. The game has then proven to be an effective tool for educating and involving young people. I think every small contribution I made helped advance IVY’s mission of fostering youth engagement in European cooperation projects. Looking back on these months as a volunteer, I see how much this experience has shaped me. It has given me the chance to contribute, learn, and connect with amazing people. – Flavia, IVY Project Partner for Interreg Project CO2 Pacman at University of Siena Discover more about CO2 Pacman Click Here Discover more about CO2 Pacman Click Here

Joining the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative has been a transformative experience for me over the past two months. As a volunteer at IUCN’s Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med), I have been contributing to the Dialogue4Nature project, an integral part of the Natural Heritage Mission within the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. This project aims to foster cooperation among diverse stakeholders to protect and promote the unique natural heritage of the Mediterranean region. One of the most exciting aspects of my experience so far has been supporting the communication efforts for the Institutional Dialogue event held in Málaga. This event brought together key stakeholders such as the European Commission, the Union for the Mediterranean and UNEP/MAP SPA-RAC, among others, to discuss strategies for enhancing the protection of natural heritage and particularly about marine and coastal restoration. My role included attending communication meetings for the project and the Mission, assisting with the organization of the Institutional Dialogue event and the setup of the event spot (IEO Málaga), as well as supporting the IUCN Med communication team with social media, news on the website of both IUCN Med and the Mission’s, preparing a yearly policy calendar so anyone in the event could write down and share interesting dates, and ensuring the project’s messages reached a broader audience. It was inspiring to see how collaboration and dialogue can drive positive change. Through this opportunity, I have gained a deeper understanding of how EU-funded projects operate and the significant role of Cohesion Policy in supporting sustainable development. Working on Dialogue4Nature has shown me the power of teamwork in tackling shared challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change. Additionally, I have been developing valuable skills in communication and storytelling, which are essential for raising awareness about environmental issues. Being an IVY volunteer has been incredibly rewarding so far. It feels meaningful to contribute to a project that not only protects our natural environment but also strengthens cooperation across borders. This experience is teaching me the importance of collective action and inspiring me to continue advocating for environmental conservation. I’m grateful for this opportunity and hope my story encourages others to engage with EU initiatives and have an IVY experience like mine. – Marina, IVY Project Partner at Interreg project Dialogue4Nature  Discover more about Interreg Euro-MED Click Here