Celebrating 1000 IVY Volunteers!

The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative is thrilled to announce the deployment of its 1000th volunteer, marking a significant achievement in its mission to promote European Territorial Cooperation and empower youth across borders. Since its launch in March 2017, IVY has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful engagement of young people in Interreg projects and programmes, helping to build a more integrated and cooperative Europe.

The 1000 volunteers is not just a number—it represents a community of young individuals who are actively co-shaping the future of Territorial Cooperation in Europe. With over 80 bodies representative of +55 Interreg programmes and +350 Interreg projects having hosted IVY volunteers, the initiative now spans 97 eligible countries. Volunteers have brought energy and innovation to Territorial Cooperation, while also organising 50 Citizens’ Engagement Activities (or CEAs for short) to make Cohesion Policy known in their local communities. 

Reaching the milestone of 1000 volunteers is a great achievement for IVY. The recent launch of the IVY Alumni Network, which brings together over 40 current and former volunteers, highlights a strong commitment to continue supporting Territorial Cooperation and amplifying the long-term impact of the initiative.

On behalf of the European Commission’s DG Regio and AEBR, we want to THANK all the 1000 volunteers who, over the past eight years, have shared their ideas, creativity and dreams to contribute to the daily implementation and promotion of Interreg.

THANK YOU to all host organisations for empowering young people in Interreg, ensuring that the voices and needs of the younger generation are heard and considered. Your efforts are vital in making Territorial Cooperation sustainable in the long term and in addressing the needs of all citizens.

Our story is just beginning! If you are new to Interreg and IVY, don’t worry.  Now is the perfect time to join our growing community of 1000 volunteers and become an IVY volunteer yourself!!

Check out the current offers on our website and become one of the IVY volunteers!

If you are an Interreg programme or an Interreg project and still haven’t hosted an IVY volunteer, it’s never too late! Check out this page to learn more on how to apply to become a host organization. Our team can support you every step of the way!

Photo caption: some contributions by the IVY community to the online campaign #1000facesofIVY– because their photos are worth more than thousands words.

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