Cohesion Policy in Motion : Youth Dialogue on Hydrogen-Powered Mobility and Regional Transition
As part of the CEA event, a virtual workshop on regional cooperation and cohesion policy was recently organised, entitled “Cohesion Policy in Motion: Youth Dialogue on Hydrogen-Powered Mobility and Regional Transition”. The session addressed the challenges of energy transition and sustainable mobility along the Pyrenees mountain range. Through the use of interactive tools and visual representations, local issues were explored in depth. This initiative aligns with the strategic objectives of Interreg projects such as POCTEFA PHyrene and SUDOE SHAREDH2, reinforcing the development of sustainable, cross-border solutions for a more resilient mountain territory. Credit: Text and Photos by IVY Volunteer Loli Chibko
Cohesion Policy: first steps in the Interreg World
Cohesion Policy tailored for youth. This was the winning ingredient of the event held at the University of Bari on March 24th. The initiative was organised by the IVY reporter Fabio Barresi and promoted by the Interreg VI-A Greece-Italy Programme. The event, named “Cohesion policy. First steps in the Interreg world“, adopted an informal and interactive format, fostering direct engagement with participants. Discussions focused on the impact of Cohesion Policy on young people’s daily lives, the role of Interreg programmes in supporting growth and employment, and the contribution of youth to strengthening cooperation among European regions. Interactive quizzes, interviews and short videos stimulated dialogue on the future of European integration and introduced tailored opportunities such as volunteering experiences within Interreg programmes and projects across Europe. Through territorial cooperation programmes, students can gain international experience across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, safety, civil protection, culture and tourism. Credit: Text and Photos by IVY Volunteer Fabio Barresi
European youth acting for a sustainable Black Sea : understanding how Cohesion Policy can help protect the environment
On 3rd September 2025, from 09:30 to 17:00, a Citizens’ Engagement Activity titled European Youth acting for a Sustainable Black Sea took place at the Flora Expo Center in Burgas, Bulgaria. The event was organised by IVY volunteer Arthur Fertier, Project partner of the Interreg BSB project SturNet. The aim of the event was to empower young people from Burgas and its surroundings to better understand the European Cohesion Policy and its role in protecting the Black Sea environment and biodiversity. The participants, aged 13 to 17, included youth from diverse backgrounds, eager to know more about environmental protection and European cooperation. The programme offered a wide variety of interactive and creative activities. Mihail Nenov, Deputy Mayor of Burgas in charge of education, health, social activities, and youth policies, attended the opening to greet the participants and wish them a successful event. After the initial icebreaker session, participants listened to a presentation of the Cohesion Policy, engaged in a live Mentimeter quiz on the Black Sea ecosystem and Cohesion Policy, followed by a short presentation of the SturNet project. The morning continued with educational games such as Find the Right Term, a group activity where participants matched environmental terms with their correct definitions, and Discover the Black Sea, a map-based game requiring participants to place marine species in their correct locations. Both activities encouraged participants to learn about biodiversity and marine challenges in an engaging way. In the afternoon, participants took part in a sustainability-themed Escape Game, where they solved enigmas related to marine protection and sustainable development. The day concluded with an Eco-Art session, during which young people created sculptures and collages from recycled materials, highlighting the importance of circularity and local action in tackling global environmental challenges. Throughout the day, the event showcased the role of youth in shaping the future of the region, not only by acquiring knowledge but also by actively contributing with their ideas, creativity, and teamwork. The activity closed with the distribution of certificates and the presentation of the artworks created during the Eco-Art session, highlighting the participants’ engagement in building a sustainable future for the Black Sea. Credit: Text and Photos by IVY Volunteer Arthur Fertier
Introduction to Cohesion Policy: The global effect of EU projects
On the 5th of September, 2025, a Citizen Engagement Activity titled Introduction to Cohesion Policy: The Global Effect of EU Projects took place at the Riga Technical University of Latvia. The event was organized by IVY volunteer Nadiia Chyzhykova with the involvement of her mentor Andra Marta Babre within the CeMeWE Interreg project – Interreg Central Baltic Mentoring for Migrant Women seeking Employment (CB0100070). The aim of the event was to introduce the concept of EU Cohesion Policy and raise awareness among young people. The participants were students, including students from Latvia and other EU countries, and students from accession countries and non-EU countries currently living in Latvia. The session was hosted as a panel discussion featuring experts Sintija Beitāne (project manager at Visas Iespējas), Līna Marta Sarma (board member at Riga Tech Girls), Paula Cukura (project manager at Riga Technical University, RESIST project), and Jekaterina Sadovaja (project coordinator at Riga Technical University, RESIST and CeMeWE projects). Introduction to Cohesion Policy began with providing an overview of Cohesion Policy, highlighting the benefits of the policy, and its contribution to the quality of life of EU citizens. Thereafter, the event explored how the EU shapes regional development and creates opportunities, while also educating the participants on how they can get involved with EU missions in Latvia. The event provided the opportunity for participants to hear firsthand insights from the panel members about their journey working on EU projects, an open space to ask questions and share their thoughts on Cohesion Policy, and an environment to network and connect with like-minded individuals. In conclusion, the Citizen Engagement Activity successfully achieved its goal, fostering a deepened understanding of the policy’s impact and encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to recognize their role in shaping the EU’s future. The discussions and networking opportunities throughout the session highlighted the importance of youth engagement in EU initiatives, ensuring that Cohesion Policy continues to be understood, supported, and advanced among the emerging generation. Credit: Photos and Text by IVY Volunteer Nadiia Chyzhykova
Ateliers Cinéma | Interreg Volunteer Youth & Filmreakter
On 10.09.2025 and 11.09.2025, the CEA “Ateliers Cinéma | Interreg Volunteer Youth & Filmreakter” took place. The idea? Approaching the topic of Cohesion Policy in a creative way and, above all, giving the opportunity to fully engage with the topic to a group of young people that would, in general, not feel concerned by the topic. The CEA was organised in different workshops: scriptwriting, acting, filming and editing. The participants had the chance to fully take part in each workshop. The scenes were written based on a conversation where we shared personal experiences related to cross-border cooperation and solidarity, borders, etc. At the end of the second day, a screening event welcomed members of Interreg Grande Région and other guests where the young participants had the opportunity to share their creation and talk about it. A successful event with a group of creative young people! Credit: Photos and Text by IVY volunteer Assya Numanovic
Empowering Business Ideas into Reality through Eu Cohesion Policies and Funds
The CEA event, “Empowering Business Ideas into Reality through EU Cohesion Policies and Funds,” took place on Sunday, 24th August, at 2 PM at the House of Culture in Voznesensk, Ukraine. The event, organized by IVY Volunteer Paula Ruiz within the framework of Interreg Volunteer Youth in collaboration with the City Council of Voznesensk, was a truly engaging and inspiring experience, in which local youth and entrepreneurs learned how EU Cohesion Policies support local entrepreneurship by enabling initiatives, networks, and collaboration. The first part of the event featured five speakers: Mykhailo Omelchenko from the Ukrainian Institute for International Politics, Kyiv, who presented an overview of the Interreg Danube Programme and funding opportunities for SMEs; Oleksandr Laiko from the Institute of Market, Economic and Ecological Research, Odesa, who shared lessons from the EU-funded project “Embracing Failure to Facilitate Second-Chance Entrepreneurship in the Danube Region”; Anastasia Vlasenko, former ambassador from EU Neighbours East in 2023, who highlighted youth opportunities and EU initiatives, participating remotely; Viktoria Balzer, the Secretary of Voznesensk City Council, who provided a local perspective on EU-funded projects and cohesion policy; Alla Tkachenko from the local InnoCom – Innovating Communication Targeted for SMEs project, who explained the project’s insights, youth involvement, and how cohesion policy tools foster innovation and community development, delivered their speeches in person. After the conference, the Youth Cohesion Challenge began, where 21 young participants, aged 15 to 30, pitched their social business ideas addressing local challenges. The contest was highly interactive and inspiring: the participants developed innovative concepts, reflected on the knowledge shared by the speakers, and the 7 chosen winners won a fully funded trip to Odesa on Wednesday 27th to continue with the path of learning on Cohesion policy! They travelled with members of the City Council to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, where the winners of the contest pitched their business ideas to the EU-funded project team, receiving valuable feedback, guidance, and mentorship. Moreover, the team of the local project; InnoCom, had the chance to present its work and explore potential cooperation with the institute. The day concluded with a cultural experience at the Odesa Fine Arts Museum, giving participants an opportunity to connect with local heritage and enrich their understanding of the context in which cohesion policies are applied. Credit: Photos and Text from IVY Volunteer Paula Ruiz Ruiz
