On 20 March , Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) proudly marks its 8th anniversary! Since its launch, IVY has empowered over 1000 volunteers in 25 of the 97 eligible countries, fostering collaboration and strengthening the visibility of European Territorial Cooperation. Together, IVY volunteers have contributed to: 11 Stories of European Cooperation 50 Citizens’ Engagement Activities to promote Cohesion Policy Over 50 Interreg programmes hosted a volunteer (including 1 Macro-Regional Strategy) Around 400 Interreg projects hosted a volunteer A growing network of +50 IVY Alumni   This milestone is a testament to the power of joint actions in building a more connected and resilient Europe. To showcase the impact of IVY in a dynamic way, we’re excited to introduce an interactive map—a space where current and former volunteers can find themselves, explore others’ contributions, and strengthen connections within the IVY community. A heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, mentors, colleagues, and staff members who have made IVY such a success. Your dedication and commitment continue to shape the future of European cooperation. Explore the interactive map below and discover the incredible journey of IVY volunteers!

On 5 March 2025, the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative participated in the GEAR UP! Sarajevo Events at Europe House, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Organized by the Adriatic and Ionian Euroregion (AIE), the event focused on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) and sustainable development. AEBR Secretary General and IVY Project Director, Martín Guillermo-Ramírez, spoke at the “European Networking Seminar: UN Agenda 2030 as a common denominator to mainstream global education and sustainable development in Europe and the Neighboring countries.” on the role of youth in advancing the UN Agenda 2030. He highlighted IVY’s impact in fostering cross-border cooperation and empowering young people in the Western Balkans. The event featured Networking Talks on widening partnerships and youth engagement in the SDGs, along with an Info Day presenting funding opportunities. AEBR-IVY engaged with key stakeholders, reinforcing partnerships for youth-led initiatives in cross-border cooperation. AEBR-IVY’s participation underscored its commitment to youth involvement in cooperation. We look forward to further collaborations, ensuring young voices shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

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.