The IVY team invites to an info session on the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative by the European Commission to learn how to support cooperation hosting an IVY volunteer.
Managed by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and promoted by the European Commission, IVY enables Interreg project beneficiaries and Interreg programmes to host volunteers. Their contribution strengthens communication and improves the implementation of Interreg projects. As such, Interreg Volunteer Youth is a unique programme to foster cooperation across all regions, in Europe and its neighbouring countries.
AEBR’s team launches an online info session on 31 May 2023 at 11:30 CEST to illustrate how to take part and host a volunteer.
Participants will learn what the objectives of the initiative are and how it works. We will look at how IVY works in detail:
- Who is eligible to host with IVY?
- Who are IVY Volunteers?
- What does volunteering mean in practice?
- What activities can volunteers carry out and how do volunteers help host organisations?
- How to apply?
- What is expected from a host organisation?
- What is the mentor’s role?
Representatives from all Interreg programmes and projects (Interreg A, B, C and D, including Interreg IPA and Interreg NEXT), as well as national authorities and representatives of macro-strategies, are invited to join this online info session on Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) to learn how to host volunteers.
The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative started in 2017 and over 800 volunteers have already taken part, promoting regional cooperation all over Europe and beyond.
Host organisations who have already participated appreciate the new ideas and the concrete support of IVY volunteers in communicating about ETC with ease, helping especially with social media. “Our project has benefitted from hosting Giacomo as a volunteer because he came with his fresh perspective and own skills and was able to make interesting suggestions on our activities. We were able to work as a team and with trust”, said Lorie Mallauran, Manager of French-Italian relations at Communauté de communes de Coeur de Savoie, about her experience as IVY mentor.
AEBR is particularly proud of managing this initiative, which has a strong impact on cross-border cooperation and makes Interreg better known – a milestone and an important achievement for border regions, as AEBR’s Secretary General Martin Guillermo Ramirez has pointed out in many occasions.
At the same time, host organisations enhance their projects’ visibility and impact and become part of a community of actors supporting young people’s participation in Interreg, helping promote European values.
The application process is quick and applications are received on a rolling basis, as there is no deadline to apply. AEBR’s team takes care of administrative aspects, so that volunteers and mentors can focus on their collaboration and experience. Also, volunteers receive a financial support and are fully insured directly by AEBR.
Update 02.06.2023: The video recording of the Info Session for all Interreg Programmes and Projects is now available!
