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Hello! My name is Maria and I am from Greece. I graduated from History and Archaeology in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and I had the opportunity one month ago to start as an IVY Volunteer for the program of Interreg for Cross-Border Cooperation between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia, at the host organization Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia (RDF CM), in my hometown, Thessaloniki. The project “EuroP@st & future” I am part of, aims in general to encourage tourism and cultural and natural heritage, with a further achievement of a cross border visibility and cooperation between Greece and North Macedonia. Three archaeological sites, two in Greece and one in North Macedonia, will play the role of “regional attractors” for potential visitors both in the region and the surrounding areas. By improving the attractiveness of the archaeological sites and promoting tourism in the cross-border area, new business opportunities in the tourist, cultural and creative industry will arise. Ultimate goal, is to create a boost of the socio-economic and cultural development of the region. My role in this, is to communicate and disseminate the objectives and activities of the project, both online, through web and social media, and in person, in relevant activities. I am very glad to be an IVY volunteer for many reasons. Firstly, I have the opportunity to understand the framework of the European Union Cohesion Policy and realize the benefits for every country in Europe to cooperate with each other. Also, I already had the chance to participate in a workshop related to an archaeological tour, that took place in one of the archaeological sites in Greece, Palatiano in Kilkis, so I met in person all the project beneficiaries and there were discussions that triggered my interest, regarding the suggestions to be done in the framework of cross border cooperation. Furthermore, new workshops will take place both in Greece and North Macedonia and I am looking forward to taking part! Moreover, the building of my host organization RDF CM, Villa Allatini, is a historical building of 19th century, so it is very interesting working in a place like this. On top of that, my project team and mentor, Chrysanthi Kiskini, are very helpful and supportive and I feel truly lucky to be part of such a working environment and learn continuously new things. The RDF CM, hosts many European projects and I had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with another IVY volunteer. The volunteering experience for Interreg, is a very good opportunity for me to learn how a European project works and how a territorial cooperation can be achieved! Find our project in social media: https://www.facebook.com/Europast-and-Future-106262495426456/?notif_id=1653304290713807%C2%ACif_t%3Dpage_fan&ref=notif – Maria, IVY Project Partner for “EuroP@st & future” at the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia

Hello everyone! My name is Giorgos and I am from Greece. I live in my home city Thessaloniki, where I currently study biology and I am volunteering in an Interreg Europe project at the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia, partner of the SinCE–AFC. I am contributing as an IVY volunteer for more than a month and am writing this article to inform you about my experience. As an IVY Project Partner I am involved in the SinCE–AFC project, which is about the application of circular economy in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the Agri-food chain. SMEs are currently representing 99% of the business sector, however they remain mainly uninvolved. SinCE-AFC aims at increasing the number of SMEs that are involved in Circular Economy through the promotion of appropriate managing and financial horizontal mechanisms. In order to achieve that purpose, 9 partners from 7 regions from 7 different European countries are collaborating. During my first month in the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia as an IVY volunteer, I had a great and enriching experience. I had the chance to learn about the benefits of the European projects in my region and realize their importance. The staff in my host organization is very supportive and helped me at every step there. I am looking forward to meet new people and face new challenges as an IVY volunteer during next months. – Giorgos, IVY Project Partner for the Intereg Europe project SinCE-AFC at the Regional Development Fund of Central Macedonia

Hello everyone 😊! My name is Salwa, I’m from Italy and it has been two months since I started this amazing experience as an IVY volunteer! These past two months have been amazing and I have learnt so many new things! First, let me tell you something more about myself and the project I’m participating in 😊 I’m participating in the Thematic project which is the acronym for ‘’tourism founded on innovation capacities’’ in collaboration with the University of Basilicata (Italy). The main objective of the project is to promote the development of a sustainable and accessible tourism economy in the ADRION region, based on natural, cultural, and historical resources. The ADRION region, in fact, is home to numerous natural and cultural heritage sites, many included in the UNESCO world heritage list that are needed to be protected from the risks of over-exploitation and the loss of cultural diversity. Another main objective of Thematic project is to increase the accessibility for tourists with special needs. Since I was at University, I always have been interested in the tourism field and the study of our historical and cultural resources in our territory, so I’m very glad to be in the right place. I studied foreign languages and foreign cultures and thank to my language skills I’m actively contributing to the project by translating a touristic guide on Matera and Pietragalla (Basilicata), dedicated to tourists with motor disabilities. This activity is called GATHER (guide for accessible tourism of cultural heritage in Basilicata) and it is promoted by University of Basilicata as part of THEMATIC Interreg Adrion Project. The aim is to promote the growth of cultural tourism in minor locations of the Basilicata Territory, improving the accessibility of all resources of cultural heritage, for all categories of visitors. Matera is a unique town in Basilicata (South of Italy) which is considered the world’s third-longest continuously inhabited human settlement. Matera is called ‘’The city of Stones’’ because it was built from the tufa stones and since 1993 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My contribution to this pilot project also concerns the collection of data to analyse the level of accessibility of the main touristic points in Matera, which in my opinion is one of the most exciting parts of the project! I also participate in national events for awareness raising about sustainable and accessible cultural tourism and create digital content for the promotion of sustainable cultural tourism in historical and naturalistic locations, addressed to local communities and to the international tourists visiting the region. So far, my experience has been motivating and inspiring. This volunteering experience is giving me the opportunity to put in practice my language and translation skills that I gained during my studies and contribute actively to the project. Since the University of Basilicata is the lead partner of the Thematic project, which involves other partners from different countries, I am also learning new things about European project management and cross border cooperation which are for me new fields to study better and to be further explored. Here in Potenza I have found an amazing team that supports me to get familiar with the different tasks and activities and teach me new things every day! I can’t wait for the next coming months! – Salwa, IVY Project Partner for Interreg Adrion THEMATIC project at the University of Basilicata

I am Hana Jemli and I’ve been a part of the Interreg youth volunteer for about a month now, I have joined the Joint Secretariat of Interreg France Wallonie vlaanderen based in Namur, Belgium, as an Interreg reporter. The program stems from the desire to promote exchanges between the territories on both sides of the Franco-Belgian border, in the Regions Hauts-de-France and Grand Est., in Wallonia and in Flanders. I was born and raised in Tunisia, one of the Europe neighbor countries, that’ why this experience represents for me a completely new and different professional and personal endeavor. Unlike most of the young people who joins IVY who have a European background and was raised on the principles and the structures of the European union and European funded projects. Therefore these programs have always been a theoretical concept for me, but through IVY I am now discovering the world of UE and specifically the cross-border cooperation programs directly and practically. So far, I’ve had a very warm welcome from the team of the joint secretariat in Namur, and I have felt very lucky to be able to work closely and gain the knowledge of many experts in this field. Everyone here has been generous with sharing their valuable expertise and including me fully in all aspects of the program and taking the time to assist and teach me about the projects, activities and programs. As an Interreg reporter I ‘am associated with disseminating information about the program to help increase the visibility of the results and activities of Interreg FWVL and the cross-border cooperation programs,, in order to promote and enlarge its impact and visibility towards the European institutions and the general public and to be a channel of information and reporting successful Interreg projects via interviews, newsletters, events and social media platforms. So far, I have learned and participated in the communication of some of the projects and mini-projects and this has allowed me to discover the missions of Interreg and its structures and operations. After completing my first month with interreg, I have learned that the programs and projects are dedicated to the citizens of the territory and that they contribute to the development of these territories on several levels. I still have exciting missions ahead of me to embark on with Interreg and great opportunities to discover, and many many reporting to be done on the achievements of the Interreg France-Wallonia-Vlaanderen program and its projects. Hana – Interreg project reporter at Joint Secretariat of Interreg France Interreg France Wallonie vlaanderen

Hi 😊! I am Sarah, I am from France and it has been two months since I joined the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) as an IVY ! It has been one of the best experience so far and I am very excited for the next coming months ! Within the Intermediterranean Commission, I mainly participate in the follow-up of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community (MBPC) project, funded by the Interreg-MED program. This project aims at conserving and protecting biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin through several actions and modular projects, such as POSBEMED2 which raises awareness regarding the Posidonia Oceanica in the Mediterranean, oxygen factory and beach guardian. The MBPC project is also a way to gather several Mediterranean actors and overcome the territorial boarders towards a better management and decision making in terms of biodiversity protection. The project is now coming to an end, so my main missions have been to participate in the capitalization of the project’s results. For instance, I helped in the launch of an e-learning program on Marine Spatial Planning, teaching the importance of using “MSP” as a cross-sectoral tool for a sustainable use of marine resources and biodiversity conservation. More recently, within the scope of the project, a workshop in Dubrovnik gathered countries’ representatives and scientific experts from the South Adriatic Region to discuss about the next steps to protect this biologically fragile and riche marine area. This project is truly important in a context where the challenges are several in the Mediterranean basin; climate change, mass tourism, overfishing, maritime traffic, litter, pollution, collisions… Each step counts. Water sports enthusiast, I had the chance to grow up and currently live by the sea in the Brittany Region. I studied the Law of the Sea during my Master and specialized in International and European cooperation with the desire to participate in projects focused on the protection of seas and oceans (and I am even more sure now!). Create dialogue, raise awareness, and join forces between EU Member States, especially to fight the environmental crisis, is crucial and urgent. So far, this experience has been extremely empowering and filled with valuable encounters. The IMC-CRPM team is patient, supportive and inspiring. I am surrounded by passionate people! As well, I feel lucky to be able to discuss and meet with various MBPC partners such as scientists, policymakers, EU project officers, from different organizations and Mediterranean countries; it is a great way to truly understand the way European projects work and the positive impacts they can have. It is the opportunity to be part of something ‘real’ and important, and learn about sustainable development but also the EU cohesion and maritime policies. I would like to thank the Interreg Program and the AEBR for including European youth in such projects and for allowing me to gain confidence, experience and to learn a lot. It is a true privilege! As well, thanks to Lise and Jordi for their constant support! Sarah, IVY Project Partner at Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR/CRPM) for the Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection Community

Hello everyone! My name is Anna and I am from Italy, the country where I am currently volunteering as an Interreg project partner. It has been a month and a half since I started my experience at my host organisation, the Metropolitan City of Turin, a public administration involved in many Interreg proposals including EcoRIS3, the main project I am collaborating for. EcoRIS3 is an interregional initiative developed in the framework of Interreg Europe, its general aim is to support innovation ecosystems within the regional strategies of smart specialization (RIS3), which leads to the implementation of several actions in peripheral areas in order to connect them to the urban core of innovation and knowledge. As an interregional project, EcoRIS3’s partnership is diverse and geographically wide. In detail, we cooperate with local partner organisations from Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland with the aim of creating a large community for a fruitful exchange of best practices. We are now jumping into the last semester of the project, which will be unveiled by the final partner conference in Riga (Latvia). Currently, most of my tasks have been related to the preparation for this event, but I also had the opportunity to have a look at the future projects submitted in the first call of application of the new Interreg Europe programme period (2021-2027). That means being able to take an overview of the different phases of the construction and implementation of an Interreg project. So far, my experience has been enriching and inspiring. During my Master’s studies, I had the possibility to focus on cohesion policies and territorial cooperation programmes but only from an academic point of view, while this volunteering opportunity is opening my eyes to the concrete management of an European project and to the importance of collaborating with the partner network. Here at Metropolitan City of Turin I have found a young and supportive team that helps me everyday to get familiar with the different activities they are involved in. Recently I have also met another IVY volunteer, this organisation is involved in so many projects that there is room for more than one volunteer! Days go by and new and challenging opportunities still await me, hope to learn and grasp as much as possible! Anna – Interreg project partner at Metropolitan City of Turin for the Interreg Europe EcoRIS3 project.