Month: February 2025

As an Italian who had lived for seven months in Nice, a vibrant and charming city on the French Riviera only 30 km away from the Italian border, I have gained a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in cross-border cooperation between France and Italy. Living and working there made me realise the importance of enhancing every day’s people life and overcoming obstacles by joining forces together. That is why I decided to become an IVY Reporter at the Managing Authority for the Interreg France-Italy ALCOTRA Programme, at the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region in Lyon. First things first, let me introduce myself. I am Giorgia, and one of my main tasks as an IVY volunteer is to support the post-2027 consultation process for the future of Cohesion Policies within the ALCOTRA programme. This year, the European Commission’s DG Regio has called upon all Interreg programmes to engage citizens and stakeholders in discussions about the future of Interreg. ALCOTRA as well launched two online surveys, which will be available online until the 1st of October. Among my tasks, I have supported the drafting of the two online surveys, and I am organising events and in-person meetings involving young people to further discuss about the future of the programme and collect valuable data to enrich our consultations. Finally, I will contribute to outlining the report on the consultation results to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of the year. These consultations are vital for the next programme regulation, which will be implemented at the end of the current programme phase in 2027. Without consulting and understanding the needs of citizens and stakeholders, Interreg programmes would not be able to allocate funds to projects. Therefore, they would not be able to improve the daily lives of European citizens. Moreover, being an IVY volunteer for the past two months, I could deepen my understanding of European territorial cooperation and Cohesion policies within the ALCOTRA territory. Not only have I gained knowledge in the cooperation field, but I also have developed new skills which will be helpful in my professional career. Since I had the opportunity to develop new skills, both professional and personal, I am looking forward to the rest of my journey as an IVY Reporter. If you are interested as well in boosting your knowledge and raising awareness on what the EU does locally to improve our every day’s life, join the IVY squad and I am sure you will live an unforgettable experience! – Giorgia M. , IVY Reporter at Managing Authority of France – Italy ALCOTRA Discover more about Interreg France-Italy ALCOTRA Click Here

Hello all! I’m Olga and I’m currently deployed as an IVY Reporter for the Interreg Italy-Austria Programme. But what is IVY? What is Interreg? Not a lot of people know of these programs, and even I was not aware of their existence until recently, when I was looking for possible volunteering experiences in a European country. And it is certainly a pity, considering the opportunities that the European Union makes available through these programs and initiatives. With this little post I hope to bring some clarity and knowledge about the opportunities and the concrete work that are facilitated by Interreg, and more generally by the EU. Interreg is a key financial tool that contributes to the implementation of the so-called “Cohesion Policy” and its priorities. Established by the end of the 80’s, the Cohesion Policy is, first and foremost, the concrete manifestation of the EU’s interest and effort to promote a harmonized and balanced, hence fruitful, development of the different regions and territories included in its political area. The Cohesion Policy is a key component of the EU strategy to reduce economic and social disparities between its member states and to achieve this goal, this policy allocates significant funding to support hundreds of programs and projects. Between the programs funded by the Cohesion Policy, we can find Interreg. Interreg, put simply, is a financial tool that supports cooperation across borders through project funding. Interreg was started in 1990 and focused only on cross-border cooperation (Interreg A); over time it expanded and today there are other so-called “Strands of Cooperation” that go beyond the local borders, supporting larger scale initiatives (Interreg B: transnational cooperation) and network-building to facilitate exchange of best practices at a pan-European level (Interreg C: interregional cooperation). I am specifically an IVY: an Interreg Volunteer Youth. If you’re a young citizen from 18 to 30 years old, you can apply for this initiative. If chosen you will be able to volunteer in one of the various Interreg programs, and so to live in the European Country where Interreg activities are coordinated, supported by a financial compensation. This is a great opportunity to learn how the cooperation is reinforced with the aim to tackle common challenges identified jointly by the border regions. The idea of Interreg in the Strand of cross-border cooperation is to enhance a sustainable and inclusive growth and promote the well-being of people living in regions lying directly on the borders. To this end, local problems are jointly addressed by cross-border actors, such as firms, research centers, public institutions, schools, local action groups, to find together solutions, products or procedures that can tackle challenges related to transport, health, environment, and sustainable energy, among others. These joint solutions also need to address global challenges, such as climate change, green transition, and social inclusion. As an IVY, it is my task to promote and share the results of the projects funded by Interreg Italy-Austria, but I have a more specific task related to the consultations post-2027, needed by the European Commission to collect information on how to deliberate for the future of Interreg. Thanks to this specific job, I have interviewed over 30 partners that live and work in Austria and in Italy. They have offered me a valuable insight on their cross-border experience so far. Interreg has made possible for them to travel, meet, exchange opinions and practices and learn from different perspectives. Every partner has highlighted how borders facilitate, rather than diminish, the will and the opportunity to work together to build something good for their territory: to “give something back” is always at the center of every project funded by Interreg IT-At. Against the gloom of a “nationalistic” ghost over the European Union that is leading to raising walls and closing doors, Interreg shows that cooperation across borders is very well-received and it’s blossoming: from developing workshops with a participatory approach for school students to motivate and inform them on sustainable mobility and climate change (Project Mobility for Future | Interreg Italy Austria), to develop a common cross-border ecosystem that aims to capacitate the introduction of circular processes in the food production chain (Project FOODIS | Interreg Italy Austria). In addition, thanks to IVY I’m also meeting new people, making friends, learning about a different place and culture (every Italian region has a different culture) and this is also a personal and professional enrichment. I can only recommend this experience, especially if you feel like a small fish in an immense and indifferent ocean: Interreg showed me that it is by starting small that you get to be big. – Olga Abbiani, IVY Reporter at JS Interreg Italy – Austria Discover more about Interreg Italy-Austria Click Here

When I first started my volunteer role with a cross-border cooperation program, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew I’d be assisting with communications, as an IVY Reporter, but the full scale and impact of the work didn’t become clear until I was actively involved. Now, looking back, I can see that, so far, this experience has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. I am part of the ALCOTRA program, which means « Latin Alps Cross-Border Cooperation ». The program is dedicated to addressing the common challenges that border regions face. These challenges can be quite varied—ranging from environmental and economic issues to social concerns. By funding and supporting local projects, the program aims to create a more connected and inclusive future for communities on both sides of the border. It’s an ambitious mission that requires a lot of coordination, commitment and motivation. One of the projects that truly caught my attention was VéloPluf, which I found especially inspiring for its commitment to both sustainability and inclusivity in promoting sustainable tourism. This project offers families the chance to enjoy nature and spend quality time together, while using eco-friendly transportation like bicycles. In my role, I assist the communications officer with spreading the word about our activities. This includes crafting engaging social media posts, updating websites, and assisting with the planning of online events. Each piece of content I create is a small but important part of a larger effort to keep both beneficiaries and the public informed and engaged. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is seeing how effective communication can truly impact a program’s reach and perception. For example, our campaign promoting the online consultation for post-27 successfully broadened our reach and boosted public participation in completing the online questionnaires. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that your involvement and efforts are making a real impact and drawing more attention to the program’s purpose. – Tahiana Olivia, IVY Reporter at the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Programme France-Italy ALCOTRA Discover more about the Interreg Programme ALCOTRA Click Here

Hello everyone! My name is Beatrice, and today I’m happy to share with you some insights from my experience as an IVYReporter for the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme in Venice, Italy. Since I embarked on this journey last June, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to dive deep into the world of public administration, thanks to the institution that hosts me, the Veneto Region, which is also the Italian National Contact Point for the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme. From day one, the team and especially my mentor have welcomed me with open arms, guiding me through the daily activities and making me feellike an integral part of this impactful programme. So, what is the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme all about? Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE is a remarkable European transnational cooperation initiative designed to tacklecommon challenges and reduce socio-economic disparities in a region once divided by the infamous “Iron Curtain.” This programme covers nine EU Member States (Northern Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, EasternGermany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland) and has its Programme Management Authority inVienna, Austria. In my daily role, I support the National Contact Point of the Programme by organizing national and local events and communicating the objectives and results of projects through various social media channels. But there’s more! I also have the honor of working on activities related to the post-2027 consultation, particularly through participating in interviews with other IVYs and contributing to the implementation of a CEA. What exactly is a CEA? As the name suggests, a Citizen’s Engagement Activities (CEA) is a local event aimed at informing and involving citizens in an interactive way. But about what, exactly? In line with AEBR’s mission, it focuses on showcasing the achievements of European Regional Policy. In other words, it’s about raising awareness of the benefits that Cohesion Policy brings to local communities and engaging citizens in a dialogue about European Cooperation. My CEA, in particular, aims to highlight the role of youth in European cooperation by encouraging their participation in open discussions and interviews about the future of Interreg. It involves various groups of young people, mainly students and members of non-profit organizations from the Triveneto region(Veneto, Friuli, and Trentino), who might not yet be aware of the projects implemented by Interreg in their area What do I love about this opportunity? What excites me most about this opportunity provided by AEBR is the chance to directly contribute to the organization’s visibility by utilizing my communication, public speaking, and networking skills. For me, this is incredibly valuable because I’m always seeking ways to express my creativity and challenge myself, especially when it involves promoting meaningful initiatives. Although it’s only been a little over two months since I started, I already feel like I’ve grown in many ways. On one hand, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the internal dynamics of both Regione del Veneto and the Interreg programme. On the other hand, I’ve also enhanced my ability to propose ideas and makedecisions, independently and as part of a team, both in the NCP and the IVY Alumni community.   I can’t wait to see the results of my project and participate in future initiatives promoted by InterregVolunteer Youth! – Beatrice, IVY Reporter at the Italian National Contact Point of the Interreg Programme Central Europe Discover more about Interreg Central Europe Click Here

Hello everyone! I am Evanthia, I am from Greece and for the past few months I’ve been an IVY volunteer on the program SMEOrigin (SMEs and European Original Geographical Indications) in the framework of Interreg Europe. Its main goal is to improve regional development policies and funding programs aiming at increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in the food sector. More specifically, the project has been designed to foster products with a geographical indication (PDO/PGI) in the involved regions by improving the quality standards of SMEs, fostering their digital transformation, and promoting the authenticity of the products. Over these months, my role was to help with the organization of the stakeholder and the interregional meetings as well as the reinforcement of the regional thematic reports. Moreover, through my experience, I have grown interest in the nutritional and health benefits of the main PDO/ PGI of my area. Since I am studying Dietetics & Nutrition I’ m planning on doing my own research on these products like the feta cheese, olive oil, mavrodaphne, resin and bottarga. In this way I hope I will contribute even more to the promotion of these products. Unfortunately, in many areas the geographical indication products and the food sector are either underrepresented or not mentioned at all. By emphasizing an openminded mindset and market interest towards GI food products many can benefit from it. The ones who mainly benefit are the SMEs that produce the PDO/PGIs. Then of course, there is the primary producers like the farmers and fishermen whose product we are promoting and finally a boost to the regional economy is expected. The partners meet once every six months for the official stakeholder meetings. In the meantime, many thematic meetings are organized. Wine and mavrodaphne producers gather, a great example is Oinoxeneia <https://oinoxeneia.gr/>, which is a good practice for SME projects as well – please, take a look at this link: https://www.interregeurope.eu/good-practices/place-branding-and-development-of-aigialeia-wine-region-through-the-quality-network-oinoxeneia My experience has been great so far and I’m excited for the rest of my journey in the IVY program! – Evanthia, IVY Project Partner at the University of Patras for the Interreg project “SMEOrigin”, under the Interreg Europe Programme Discover more about the Project SMEOrigin Click Here

Hello everyone ! My name is Sara Smaniotto and I am an IVY at the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT) in Paris, France. I joined the MOT nearly three months ago, and my experience has been very positive and enriching since the very beginning. Working on the Alcotraité project has given me the great opportunity to dive deeper into cross-border governance and cooperation, and to see bilateral obstacles and barriers becoming corner-stone opportunities for a brighter common future. The Alcotraité project is funded by the Interreg France-Italy ALCOTRA programme and aims at strengthening cross-border cooperation and governance between Italian and French bordering regions and local communities. Focusing on specific objectives included in the bilateral Quirinal Treaty signed by Italy and France in 2021, Alcotraité addresses and aims at finding concrete solutions to overcome existing cross-border barriers in the fields of healthcare, biodiversity and public transport. Thanks to the active participation of all five regions at the terrestrial border (Regione Liguria, Regione Piemonte, Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta, Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Région Auvergne Rhône-Alpes) and of the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT) acting as a facilitator, Alcotraité favours multi-level bilateral cooperation and enables partners and stakeholders to be actively engaged in jointly identifying cross-border barriers, and in developing common solutions. The project, moreover, pays close attention to citizens’ needs and it allows stakeholders’ expression of ideas through a bottom-up approach. During my experience as an IVY at the MOT I’ve been involved in various stimulating activities, that enabled me to grow personally and professionally and allowed me to make valuable contributions to the project. More precisely, I’ve been actively engaged in the analysis of the outcomes to a survey on cross-border obstacles launched in the summer and open to the public and to local actors living and operating in areas along the Italian-French border. The feedbacks received, and the conducted analysis, have been crucially important for us and for the project partners, as they have enabled us to better comprehend the practical cross-border barriers that local stakeholders face in their daily lives, and they have allowed us to support meaningful advancements in the project partners’ cross-border governance and cooperation – notably in the field of public transport and infrastructure. I’ve also been taking part in project-related meetings and working sessions, and I had the opportunity to attend the annual ad-hoc event organized in the framework of Alcotraité to celebrate the signing of the Quirinal Treaty – this year, the conference was hosted by Regione Piemonte in Turin. Finally, I am now involved in the organization of three territorial workshops, which will encourage discussions and exchanges to identify concrete solutions to the still-existing cross-border obstacles and to further proceed in joint cross-border cooperation. I am really happy about my IVY experience, and I am very grateful for this opportunity! – Sara, IVY Project Partner at MOT for Alcotraité Interreg project Discover more about ALCOTRAITÉ Click Here