Ciao, everyone!
I’m Larisa, and I volunteered as an IVY Reporter with the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme in Bologna, Italy. My time has been a truly eye-opening experience, and I’m excited to share a bit about what I’ve been doing and learning along the way.
What is IPA ADRION?
The Interreg IPA ADRION Programme is all about bringing people, projects, and regions together to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face today. It’s a European transnational cooperation programme that works across the Adriatic-Ionian region, involving 10 countries in total. The programme focuses on key areas like innovation, cultural and natural heritage protection, environmental resilience, sustainable transport, and capacity building. In short, it’s helping to shape the future of these regions by fostering European integration and acting as a policy driver for over 70 million people.
My role as an IVY Reporter
As an IVY volunteer, I’ve had the chance to get involved in a variety of activities that support the programme’s goals. A big part of my work has been analysing survey responses for the Interreg consultation on the European Future Cohesion Policy post-2027, which is all about gathering feedback from stakeholders to help plan for the future of Interreg. It’s basically about figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and how the programme can get even better in the future. It’s satisfying to know that my efforts might contribute to shaping the next steps for such an impactful initiative. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how the data I’ve worked with can help influence decisions for the next phase of the programme.
I’ve also participated in some great events. One of the highlights was the consultation event in Bled, Slovenia, where I had the chance to interact with beneficiaries and hear directly from them about what’s working and what needs to change for the future of Interreg. It was inspiring to be a part of those discussions and see how much passion people have for transnational cooperation. I also had the opportunity to observe a Monitoring Committee meeting, where key decisions are made to steer the programme’s direction. It was fascinating to see the inner workings of such a large-scale initiative!
What I’ve learned
This IVY experience has been such a valuable learning opportunity. I’ve gained insights not only into how transnational cooperation works but also into the real-world impact of programmes like Interreg IPA ADRION. What I love the most is seeing how this programme brings people together across different regions to work towards common goals. It’s inspiring to witness how collaboration can lead to positive change, and I’m proud to be part of it.
If you’re thinking about joining the IVY programme, I definitely recommend it! It’s been an amazing opportunity to contribute to something bigger, meet incredible people, and learn so much along the way.
– Larisa, IVY Reporter for Interreg IPA Adrion
