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Greetings, Interreg community! ✨ My name is Kyriakos Kourtidis. I am a recent Master’s graduate in International and European Studies from Thessaloniki, Greece, and currently, I act as an Interreg IVY Reporter for the INTERREG Programme VI-A Romania-Bulgaria, based in Bucharest. My education has provided me with a solid theoretical understanding of the EU’s Economic, Social, and Territorial Cohesion Policy. Within this framework, having the intention to deepen my understanding and gain more experience in European Territorial Cooperation, I decided to join an Interreg Programme as an IVY Reporter. About the Programme The Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme supports the development of the cross-border areas, in Romania and Bulgaria by financing joint projects. What is the Programme’s main goal? The programme aims to enhance the cooperation between the two bordering countries, Romania and Bulgaria, with the goal to help the border areas overcome their similar development challenges. Who benefits from it? Under the Interreg Programme, people living in the border area between Romania and Bulgaria benefit from enhanced cross-border cooperation by working together on common challenges. This includes effective information exchange, improved accessibility across the frontier, flood prevention measures, risk management plans, preservation of natural assets 🌿, and tourism promotion, among other initiatives. My activities as an IVY As an Interreg IVY Reporter, I am hosted by the Managing Authority of the Interreg Romania-Bulgaria Programme together with another IVY, with whom we are based in the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, in Bucharest. As an IVY, my activities include: (1) Designing creative campaigns on social media in order to improve the Programme’s visibility and to increase stakeholder’s engagement. Notably, we launched a communication campaign with weekly Facebook posts, aiming to inspire interested parties to send their project proposals under the “Call for Proposals – An Educated Region”. 🎓 (2) Writing articles for the website/social media related to the programme’s and projects events, as well as communicating other aspects of the programme implementation. 💻 (3) Supporting the preparation, organization and communication of the public consultations on the future of Cohesion Policy for Interreg Programmes, post 2027. One notable mention of such an activity would be the consultation session with students at the Law Faculty of Craiova ⚖. Our team comprising of two Managing Authority representatives and the two of us IVYs Reporters presented to the students the Interreg Programme, informed them about the cross-border area and collected their views for the future development of the border area. Last but not least, taking the opportunity of this event, we the IVYs presented the IVY initiative, shared our experience with the young students 👨🏻‍👩🏻‍ and encouraged them to similarly embrace the Interreg Volunteer Youth initiative. (4) Taking part and supporting the Programme’s events. One very recent and relevant example of such an event was the kick-off meeting of the DISMAR project that took place in Ruse, Bulgaria. The DISMAR project is one of the strategic projects of the programme, which aims to enhance the safety of navigation and efficiency on the common Romanian-Bulgarian sector of the Danube River. 🌊 🚢 Don’t hesitate to follow the updates of the programme on Facebook, LinkedIn and the website. My two months experience as an IVY was complimented by my participation to the EUs Macro-Regional & Sea Basin Strategies Days, 2024, which took place in Brussels. In this event, I and other IVYs, acting as representatives of the initiative, presented to relevant stakeholders the possibility for them to host Interreg volunteers, as well. Most importantly, Interreg IVY offered me the opportunity to gain ownership of EU policies and contribute to EU cooperation. In conclusion, if I may paraphrase the final remark of Commissioner Elisa Ferreira during the Macro-Regional Strategy Days: we, the European youth, adhering to the value of cooperation – Europe’s birth certificate – should be proud of this, do it well, and make it visible! – Kyriakos, IVY Reporter for the Managing Authority Interreg Romania-Bulgaria Learn more about the Interreg Romania – Bulgaria Programme Click Here

My name is Jip. I’m a 25-years-old IVY volunteer at the Interreg Flanders-the Netherlands programme. I have started in May, and now I am about a third into my IVY experience. Here, I see first-hand how interregional cooperation works and what it can do! Flanders and the Netherlands share not only a language but are also very alike in culture, and they share similar contemporary challenges and opportunities. It makes sense, therefore, that they work together to address these challenges. Over the past two months, I have been visiting the various Interreg projects that try to do so. These projects cover a whole range of topics. As an IVY, I assist with the public consultations and I visit projects and write articles about. Visiting these projects has been even more fun and interesting than I had thought they would be beforehand. This is mostly because of the enthusiasm of the project managers and the interesting topics they address. Among others, I have visited a project that is trying to reintroduce otters to Flanders and the Netherlands; a project that is trying to facilitate sustainable tourism right in a park right on the border between the two countries; and a project that trains health-care workers to become innovators at their own organization. Moreover, I have gone to castles and robotics fairs and I have been on boats and on peatery excursions. During these visits, I have spend a surprising amount of time outside in nature. The themes have been far and wide, and I have spoken with intriguing people and learned a great deal at each of these events. This experience has shown me how diverse, fun and important these Interreg projects and the programme are. Interreg facilitates important opportunities for cooperation that might otherwise have been overlooked. Moreover, I am directly witnessing the positive influence that the projects have on their environment. This has made the experience so far quite special. I still have four more months to go, and I am looking forward to more fun outings that are sure to follow! – Jip, IVY Reporter at the Joint Secretariat of Interreg Belgium-The Netherlands (Vlaanderen-Nederland) Programme. Learn more about the Interreg Belgium-The Netherlands Click Here

The AZA4ICE project is dedicated to promoting sustainable and circular aquaculture practices that protect ecosystems and preserve aquatic resources, with innovative approaches to identify and manage suitable aquaculture areas in close-to-coast and inland waters, considering conservation, environmental, social, and economic aspects. By fostering multi-stakeholder participatory environments and utilizing aquaculture spatial planning through Allocated Zones for Circular Aquaculture (C-AZA), it aims to enhance sustainable water management and build resilience and competitiveness in the sector. AZA4ICE has its focus split between the AZA4ICE Methodology and the LiRRIEs (Living Responsible Research and Innovation Ecosystems). The Methodology is concerned with the aforementioned C-AZA where weather and climate data of the region is collected, specifically targeting close-to-coast and inland waters, in order to produce results regarding a species analysis, with which it is analyzed which fish species can thrive under the specific conditions of the area, and circular economy practices, where waste product from the farms is reused through the developing IMTA technology. All of this is done in order to create efficient aquaculture farms that do not affect the local population, because they can prosper in areas that do not intervene with tourism and the local economy. On the other hand, LiRRIEs is concerned with engaging stakeholders in the AZA4ICE collaborative process through events and communication in order to get opinions and feedback from them and with that, develop Action Plans that support sustainable aquaculture and foster economic growth in long term preserving environment and improving quality of life. The role Dynamic Vision has in is managing the communications and exposure of the project and as an IVY Volunteer I have worked on the visual identity of the project and the creation of its new website, as well as its social media channels. We have tried to showcase the identity of the project by designing the logo, getting photos that express the core idea of the project and creating brochures. We had to create a new template for the website to make it more usable and easily understandable for everyone. While, also, through the social media channels we have tried to provide updates on the project and the events that members have organized and attended. In short, we have tried to get more attention towards the project and engagement from stakeholders. Aquaculture is characterized by EU Green Deal as a “low-carbon food system”. This project can be beneficial for people living in close-to-coast and inland waters across the Euro-Mediterranean region because through it aquaculture will be further improved, producing less waste and transforming the sector to a clean industry that does not affect the local ecosystems. The project’s Action Plans are designed for adoption by public authorities, which in turn can improve economic development of the area. AZA4ICE’s efforts benefit all the countries in the region but go beyond that to benefit society as a whole as it introduces an innovative way to reinforce aquaculture adopting circular economy practices. Communication between partners is coordinated by Dynamic Vision so we have to communicate and disseminate the project’s achievements to maximize their visibility while also sharing its results. To ensure communication between all partners, in this semester we are currently developing a Communication Plan which means we are defining the role other partners have and the tasks that have to be done in communication, activities objectives, common branding, stakeholders’ mapping method, guidelines for green dissemination products or events, communication channels and providing a time plan. To do this we are using a Communication 3-Level approach which ensures effective results transfer and inclusive communication, considering accessibility and inclusiveness. Level 1 is “Map and Reach” where the objective is to identify and reach relevant stakeholders, Level 2 is “Involve & Engage” where the objective is to actively involve and engage stakeholders in project activities and Level 3 is “Adopt & Commit” where the objective is to maximize project impact and ensure long-term commitment. By following this approach, the project ensures that all voices are heard and informed, enhancing the overall impact and sustainability of AZA4ICE. – Dimitris, IVY Project Partner for Interreg Euro-MED project “AZA4ICE” at the Dynamic Vision P. C. Learn more about the AZA4ICE project Click Here Discover more about the host organisation Click Here

The main goal of the Interreg Atlantic Area programme is to support innovative projects that promote growth and address common issues faced by regions in France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. This mission includes tackling challenges related to economic development, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion. By fostering cooperation between regions distributed by several countries, the programme aims to enhance the overall quality of life for the citizens who live and work there. As an Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) participant, I contribute to this mission by assisting in communication and outreach activities. Currently, my tasks include supporting the Citizen Consultation of the Programme Post-2027, which involves creating surveys and assisting in the development and communication of events, such as the “Building Tomorrow: Interreg Atlantic Discussed by the Next Generation” event held in Santo Tirso, in collaboration with our partners. The Interreg Atlantic Area programme encompasses all regions of Portugal and Ireland, as well as the Atlantic-facing regions of France and Spain, including Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays-de-la-Loire, Bretagne, Normandie, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, País Vasco, La Rioja, Navarra, Andalucía, and the Islas Canarias. The beneficiaries of this programme are diverse, including public and private sector organizations, research institutions, municipalities, and local communities. Partnerships are based on a quadruple helix approach, by addressing common challenges such as marine pollution, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism, the programme provides tangible benefits to these regions. Cooperation is at the heart of the Interreg Atlantic Area. Project partners from different countries work closely to share knowledge, expertise, and resources, driving joint solutions. This collaboration is facilitated through regular meetings, workshops,  conferences, and joint actions, ensuring that each partner’s unique perspective and skills contribute to the success of the projects. I was particularly drawn to the Atlantic Area Programme because it includes my homeland, Normandy, and regions with languages, cultures, and histories I studied at the University. The thematic priorities of the programme resonate with my personal values and professional interests. Being part of this initiative allows me to engage with diverse cultures, contribute to meaningful projects, and develop my skills in a dynamic and supportive environment. What I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and learn about the innovative solutions being implemented across the Atlantic region. The experience has been incredibly enriching, both professionally and personally. It has given me a greater appreciation for the importance of transnational cooperation and the positive impact it can have on regional development. By sharing my experience, I hope to inspire others to get involved and support initiatives that promote transnational cooperation and regional development. – Laurent, IVY Reporter at Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N), in the framework of Managing Authority and Joint Secretariat Interreg Atlantic Area  Discover more about the Interreg Programme Atlantic Area Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor Click Here

With an international background as a French-Ecuadorian young woman, I am interested in how regions, and more specifically, cities can cooperate to co-design a better urban future. I am participating as an INTERREG Youth Volunteer (IVY) reporter at URBACT supporting the INTERREG consultation on the European Future Cohesion Policy (post 2027), its regional policy which aims to reduce disparities between Europe’s regions through cooperation and provides support to each region to foster their development. As an Interreg programme, URBACT implements Cohesion Policy at the local level by enabling cooperation and knowledge exchange among European cities. Organised within thematic networks to foster sustainable; inclusive, smart, and green urban development, URBACT support local action combined with EU learning. URBACT enables this knowledge exchange through networks. These bring together EU cities willing to exchange ideas and produce integrated local policies and actions with the help of peers, local stakeholders, and URBACT experts. URBACT is contributing to the INTERREG consultation on the future of the Cohesion Policy and territorial cooperation from a local, urban perspective starting with an online survey, which is running from 26 March to 31 July 2024. The outcome of the consultation will not only evaluate the current programmes’ performance, but also shape the next URBACT programme and inform the future Cohesion Policy. As an IVY Reporter, I am supporting the URBACT consultation, through communication, and organisation of workshops and discussions to collect data. My responsibilities include writing articles for the URBACT and INTERREG websites, creating social media content, and organizing and moderating workshops and discussions to collect qualitative data. Notably, I moderated the consultation events at the URBACT Lead Partner Expert meeting in Paris (May 15-16), the National URBACT Point in Utrecht (June 12-13), and the URBACT Monitoring Committee meeting in Ghent (June 27-28). Besides, as an IVY I am particularly interested in involving the youth in the consultation, Therefore, I co-organized consultation events with Brežice, host of the European Youth Event (EYE 2024), and Ghent, European Youth Capital 2024. The URBACT programme has always strived to respond closely to cities needs, and its method allows cities to cooperate and learn from each other to find innovative solutions to common challenges. To make a good case for the future of the URBACT programme, it is important to have as many contributions as possible from the consultation. Cities and citizens know best what they need to improve in their cities, so it is important that URBACT shapes its future programme together through the survey and the overall consultation. – Ana Francisca, IVY Reporter at Urbact Discover more about URBACT​ Click Here

Hello everyone, I’m Meritxell! I’m more than halfway through my experience as an IVY volunteer for the StrategyMedFor Interreg EuroMED project, led by the the European Topic Center for Spatial Analysis and Synthesis (ETC-UMA), in Málaga, Andalucía’s sunniest and busiest city, at the heart of the Mediterranean. Allow me to share a bit about my IVY experience! The ETC-UMA is an international research center within the University of Málaga. Since 2011, ETC-UMA has been supporting the development of knowledge and tools to inform evidence-based policy. The team possesses wide expertise in ecosystem assessment and monitoring. It focuses on various environmental and socio-economic domains, including ecosystem management, environmental conservation, and territorial planning, all from a geographical perspective. StrategyMedFor is a cooperative initiative (2024-2026) aimed at developing a Strategy for the Sustainable Management of Mediterranean Forests (SSMMF). Mediterranean forests are renowned for their rich biodiversity and vital ecosystem services. However, these important natural resources face numerous direct and indirect pressures, increasing their vulnerability to disturbances and ecosystem degradation. Despite their increased coverage in recent decades, the condition of Mediterranean forests requires urgent action to enhance their resilience to global change through improved management. StrategyMedFor will contribute to the conservation and enhancement of these forests, addressing the needs and knowledge gaps in strategies and action plans for their sustainable management. The project’s outcomes will provide a common strategy and framework. Through collaborative efforts with partners, the project aims to establish a reliable database covering the entire Mediterranean basin, advancing collective knowledge and fostering better-informed decision-making. Where do I fit in this crucial mission? My tasks mainly alternate between communications work and support for project management. For example, I am currently transforming information about three project pilot sites, rich natural environments located in different parts of the Mediterranean, into an interactive StoryMap. By using the power of storytelling, we aim to create a communication product that turns a point on a map into a vivid real place in the minds of others, highlighting their beautiful landscapes, culture, specificities, and challenges. My routine at the ETC-UMA offices in Málaga is very enjoyable. Everyone is keen to help me when I’m lost, and they don’t hesitate to call me if they need my support. I really look forward to the coffee and lunch breaks, where I can always share a laugh with my colleagues. The team is very multicultural, and I relish finding cultural differences we can discuss. Cohesion policy is at the heart of the European Union’s strategy to reduce imbalances between countries and regions. It represents an important opportunity for young people. It is a pleasure to support European Territorial Cooperation and solidarity across the Mediterranean, helping to promote such an essential policy! – Meritxell, IVY Project Partner for Interreg Euro-MED project “StrategyMedFor” at the European Topic Centre – University of Malaga (ETC-UMA)