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Hello everybody! My name is Anna, I am 27 years old, and I am doing my IVY experience as a Project Partner in the Interreg Europe project GREENHEALTH in the offices of the EUROPARC Federation. /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 08-05-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} GREENHEALTH objectives GREENHEALTH project aims to make EU regions more biodiversity-resilient by improving the management of European Protected Areas through strengthening links as well as strategic & operational collaboration between biodiversity protection and human health & well-being. This objective will be reached through removing environmental barriers and designing friendly spaces, encouraging people to take care of nature and of their own health, and incorporating human health initiatives into Protected Area Programmes. The final goal of the project is to improve regional public policies and to create the right regional contexts to maximize the links between Protected Areas and health and well-being. The Partnership and its role The project partnership is composed of 7 partners from 7 different countries: Spain, Poland, Croatia, Ireland, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany. Each regional partner creates “Local Living Labs” to engage with other entities that can support them achieving the project objectives. They include the biodiversity and medical / public health professionals primarily, including academia. Social sector as well as sports, and sustainable tourism are equally important to create an “enabling system” in support of the policies we aim to achieve. EUROPARC role My host organisation, EUROPARC, covers the role of advisory Partner, supporting the partners through the Healthy Parks, Healthy People Europe Commission. The latter provides subject matter expertise, which includes the use of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Toolkit, which represents a methodological compass to identify good practices and areas that can help supporting public health and conservation outcomes through appropriate use of natural assets. … and finally: My role! I am in charge of the communication and dissemination activities, both through our project’s website and our social media channels. I decided to apply for this opportunity because I was interested in discovering how an Interreg project works from the inside, and I think that thanks to IVY I am gaining a lot of professional expertise, while improving my skills. Plus, I grew up in a Protected Area and I am passionate about sustainable development and nature conservation and restoration, therefore having the chance of being part of the EUROPARC team has been very inspiring and empowering! – Anna, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Europe project “GREENHEALTH” at EUROPARC Federation Discover more about GREENHEALTH project Click Here Discover more about the host organization Click Here

The WeSTEMEU project, under the Interreg Europe Program, emerges as a vital factor in enhancing the presence of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. With a primary focus on empowering women and increasing their participation in these strategic sectors, this initiative will develop a wide range of actions and programs. One of the main objectives of WeSTEMEU is to foster an environment that encourages and supports women to pursue and advance careers in STEM fields. Through providing education, networking opportunities and mentoring programs, WeSTEMEU facilitates women’s access to learning and professional development. Additionally, this initiative seeks ways to address the discrimination and barriers women often encounter in STEM fields. By raising awareness campaigns and advocating for policies that promote equal opportunities, WeSTEMEU aims to create a fair and equitable work environment for all women aspiring to follow their dreams in STEM. In an era where innovation and technology play a pivotal role in social progress, women’s participation in STEM fields is crucial for harnessing full potential and promoting innovation. Through the WeSTEMEU initiative, which promotes equality and the women’s empowerment, gender disparities will be addressed, making the STEM sector more compatible with the social, economic and environmental needs of both genders, while science and technology can benefit from the rich variety of ideas and talents contributed by all voices. As an Electrical and Computer Engineer volunteer, I had the chance to be actively involved in the meetings, while in-depth conversations took place among participants, delving into pivotal topics and emphasizing the significance of strengthening women’s engagement in STEM fields across Western Greece. As an objective of the implementation of the WeSTEMEU, the Region of Western Greece and Institute of Computer Technology & Publications “Diophantus” have undertaken the task of supporting several aspects, notably the participatory consultation process encompassing governmental entities, enterprises and development organizations throughout the broader region. These topics were discussed at the pre-stakeholder meeting held on February 2, 2024, where the upcoming 1st stakeholder meeting was organized. I participated in this meeting, which took place on February 13, 2024, at the Regional Council of Western Greece, where a group of representatives from various organizations was established. The inaugural stakeholder meeting laid the foundation for forming a coalition of delegates from various entities, who will actively monitor and assist the project’s initiatives during their implementation. The attendees offered inputs, recommendations, and their invaluable viewpoints towards achieving the goals of the initiative. I enthusiastically interacted with pertinent stakeholders to provide insights influencing the project’s progress. In this role, I had the chance to increase awareness, facilitating connections and to delve deeper into the project’s objectives. – Ioulia, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Europe project “WeSTEAMEU” at Computer Technology Intitute and Press “Diophantus” Discover more about the WeSTEMEU project Click Here

Hello everyone, today I come to tell you a little about my experience as an IVY volunteer in Lugo, Spain. But first of all, let me introduce myself, I am Marta, a Graphic Design student and for the past two years I have become interested in the world of volunteering.  When I started to participate and be part of activities of this kind, I was quite lost, but a few months ago I had the opportunity to participate in IVY, in a project that fits with what I like the most and what I will dedicate myself to in the future. I didn’t think twice and quickly sent in my application.  The main objective of ATLIC is to raise awareness and educate about the blue economy, as well as demonstrate its importance, as it can be beneficial in many aspects. For this reason, this project has several phases. The first phase starts with each of the associations or partners, who have to gather a group of young people to instruct and help them develop their own ideas through talks, meetings, and workshops, according to the needs of the participants and their ideas.    From there, the second objective of the project would be to connect young people through activities that bring them together for the creation of innovative ideas or prototypes on the blue economy and its various topics. These events are first at a national level and then internationally. In this way, we create a coexistence among people both within and outside the country, not only with similar tastes or interests but also with the same desire to contribute their bit to these activities that seek to promote a more sustainable future. As time passed and I sent in my documents, I learned about ATLIC, an Interreg Atlantic Area project that seeks to raise awareness about the blue economy and how it can help in the future. However, my work was going to be more focused on creating and developing materials for the project, as well as helping in the creation and management of events. All of this is something that personally caught my attention and were more than enough reasons to want to participate in some way. In my case, I not only participate in the different events or activities, but as a volunteer I perform other functions related to graphic design, specifically with the creation of the studio’s identity, branding studio, and the design of other elements that are needed to promote this project.  Since I arrived, I have not only been able to improve in aspects of graphic design, but this opportunity is also helping me connect with other young people with similar goals to mine and learn more about the blue economy and everything it encompasses. I’m blue, and you? – Marta, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Atlantic Area project “ATLIC – ATLANTIC INNOBLUE COMMUNITIES” at Vida Lactea, SLU Discover more about the Interreg project ATLIC Click Here Discover more about our host organisation Vida Lactea, SLU Click Here

Hi! I’m Chiara, a 22-year-old Italian IVY volunteer for the Interreg ALCOTRA project “Observ’alp” at Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, and here’s a glimpse of what I’ve experienced up to now. It all began with my decision to take a year off from my studies to focus on my future career steps and gain firsthand experience in the world of work. Opting to dedicate six months with IVY seemed like the perfect opportunity to make the most of the skills acquired during my university bachelor’s degree in political science, while also deepening my understanding of cross-border cooperation and project management at European level. Additionally, I was looking for an opportunity to live in a country other than my own, so I could immerse myself in an entirely new setting as well as improving a foreign language. Over the past three months, I have been volunteering at the Funding and Projects Department of the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, nestled in the stunning heart of the French Riviera. As an IVY volunteer, my primary focus has been on one specific project named Observ’Alp. At its core, Observ’Alp aims to address the challenges faced by cross-border territories of France, Italy, and the Principality of Monaco. How? By establishing a system for territorial data sharing and digital services. The processed data will cover many critical areas that significantly impact life on both sides of the border, ranging from mobility and employment to natural hazards and biodiversity. This cross-border observation system, first of its kind in this area, will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the needs of the territory as a whole and the needs of its citizens. As an IVY project partner, I support my colleagues in the implementation of the project with a focus on communication, working both in French and Italian. What really gets me excited about my role is how I get to dive into different tasks and constantly learn new things about Cohesion Policy and on how EU cooperation works. My favorite parts? Definitely the opportunity to attend meetings and events with other project partners, the dynamic and youthful environment among my coworkers, and the chance to connect with other IVY volunteers here in Nice. In conclusion, This experience has been incredibly rewarding because it has not only broadened my perspectives, but also made me aware of the numerous possibilities and realities that exist within the EU. IVY volunteering is proving to be an incredible opportunity, and I definitely suggest it to anyone who wants to take their first steps in the field of cooperation! – Chiara, IVY Project partner for the Interreg ALCOTRA  project Observ’Alp at Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur Discover more about the Interreg project Observ’Alp Click Here Discover more about the host organization Click Here

As of right now, I have just finished my first three months volunteering in the Interreg Euro-MED Joint Secretariat in Marseille. These three months of learning and contributing in the best way possible to the Euro-MED programme have been truly one-of-a-kind experiences for me. In this blog article, I would like to share what Interreg Euro-MED does and what I have learned in these 3 months. First things first, let me start by introducing myself. I am Fahrettin from Turkey. I have two Bachelor’s. One in International Relations and one in English Language Teaching. Especially the first one is the reason why and how I started learning about what Interreg is and what it does.  After studying International Relations and getting to know the European Union, I learned that interregional cooperation is at the very core of what makes Europe, Europe.  Interregional cooperation between municipalities, regions, and countries turns the ideas in our minds into a reality that impacts people in everyday life.  That was why I decided to volunteer in this programme in the first place. In the Interreg Euro-MED programme, we have 4 different areas of missions: Green Living Areas Natural Heritage Innovative Sustainable Economy Sustainable Tourism As Joint Secretariat, our main tasks are to coordinate and provide the related information, assess project applications, and support partners in these 4 different missions. To provide and coordinate the related information, like the application dates of the calls and reach out to programme documents, we have a great Communications team. And that’s where I volunteer and try to contribute as much as I can. Using our social media channels and website, we create effective social media posts, write news articles to announce details, help out the projects in technical ways, and many many more. I believe these three months have been a great learning experience for me and I am glad to have gotten this opportunity to see how interregional cooperation is happening first-hand. If you are also interested in what my programme does, here are some links for you to read further: https://interreg-euro-med.eu/en/  https://interreg-euro-med.eu/en/what-we-do/ – Fahrettin, IVY Reporter at the Joint Secretariat Interreg Euro-MED Discover more about Interreg Euro-MED programme Click Here

My name is Laura, I am from Spain and I am an IVY Volunteer for the project Atlantic Innoblue Comunities “ATLIC” at the Chamber of Commerce of Santiago de Compostela. My volunteering experience began four months ago. During this time as an IVY volunteer I have acquired numerous insights and forged new relationships. Furthermore, this experience has enabled me to understand and witness first hand how various initiatives of the European Union can aid others and encourage Young people to actively participate in society, while also facilitating their transition into the world of work. This is a unique experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone, as it provides great learning and a fresh perspective on challenges that surround us. The project in which I specifically participate “ATLIC” involves partners from Ireland, France, Portugal and Spain. The objective it seeks to achieve is for young people to come up with new ideas and start businesses in the blue economy of the Atlantic Area. The main goal is to create a test community, the “Atlantic Innovation Blue Community”. As an IVY my involvement encompasses various roles and activities. I engage proactively, working alongside the other project partners and I contribute in the execution of project activities assigned to our organization, gaining also insight into the implementation of the different project phases. Within our role, we also aim to raise awareness about the meaning and significance of the objectives of the project in which we participate. The inclusion of volunteers and diverse young individuals in these projects is an indispensable factor for their success, as their ideas and innovative viewpoints are of great value in achieving the sought-after objectives. It is also the best way to bring young people from different countries together to forge friendships, thereby achieving a higher level of cooperation. – Laura, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Atlantic Area project “ATLIC” at Chamber of Commerce of Santiago de Compostela Discover more about the Interreg project ATLIC Click Here Discover more about our host organisation GAL Valli di Lanzo, Ceronda e Casternone Click Here