Hi there, I’m Beatrice and I am part of the Interreg Volunteer Youth initiative! I am currently based in northeastern Italy, volunteering within the Italy-Austria Interreg Program.
Here, I volunteer at the Local Action Group (LAG) OpenLeader, which has been involved in the Interreg program for over ten years.
The strategy I am volunteering on is the HEurOpen strategy, which involves two additional LAGs: the Italian LAG EuroLeader and the Austrian LAG Region Hermagor. Together, these three LAGs coordinate the HEurOpen strategy, a CLLD (Community-Led Local Development) strategy under the fourth Interreg priority.
CLLD strategies are characterized by a bottom-up approach, meaning that local communities become the main actors in shaping the development of their territories. Local actors, such as small enterprises, local entities and organizations, research centers, educational institutions, are those who best understand the needs of their communities. They are therefore directly involved in project activities, as well as in community engagement and decision-making processes fostering active democratic participation. In this way, the CLLD represents a framework of initiatives that enhance and value border regions.
As a Local Action Group, we actively support local actors in finding partners, developing ideas, and transforming them into solid and concrete project proposals.
My role as an IVY volunteer
As an IVY at LAG OpenLeader I primarily support communication activities related to the HEurOpen strategy, promoting the value of the CLLD approach and highlighting approved projects currently under implementation through social media channels. In addition, I contribute to the day-to-day management of the CLLD activities by assisting colleagues in supporting partners with the development of their project proposals and helping prepare meetings and events with project partners and other stakeholders.
I regularly attend meetings with the CLLD HEurOpen management group; this allows me to gain insight into how the strategy is coordinated and implemented, as well as how cooperation among partners is structured. Furthermore, I participate in meetings with the consortia working to build synergies and develop joint projects. As part of these activities, my colleagues and I occasionally travel within the HEurOpen area, between Italy and Austria, to meet the project partners.
What I appreciate most about the HEurOpen strategy is seeing how local actors bring their ideas to life through concrete projects. It is inspiring to observe how they come together to address local challenges through cross-border cooperation. I can truly see how the CLLD Interreg strategy fosters dialogue between border regions, helping communities get to know each other and work together for the well-being of their territories.
This gives me so great hope for a more cohesive and collaborative Europe!
– Beatrice, IVY Project Partner at Local Action Group OPEN LEADER soc. Cons. A r.l. – CLLLD HEurOpen , for the Interreg Italy-Austria project MGMT-HEO – Strategy HEurOpen
