Decision-Making Youth for CB-COOPeration (DEMY-Coop) project to boost youth engagement in the Italy-Croatia cooperation area
Greetings everyone, I am Maria Antonietta, proudly serving as an IVY Volunteer for the Interreg CBC Italy-Croatia DEMY-Coop Project. The project takes steps from the results of the AI-NURECC PLUS project, a joint initiative of the key EUSAIR local and regional stakeholders, aimed, among other things, at supporting a greater and more meaningful youth engagement in the Strategy and at placing young people at the heart of territorial cooperation. Our project endeavors to capitalize these results by forging robust partnerships between local authorities and youth organisations in Italy and Croatia, with a view to amplify the voices of young people in shaping strategic decision-making processes related to the EUSAIR. At its core, DEMY-Coop pioneers a novel approach to governance—one that champions participation and transcends borders. Through collaborative endeavors, the project aspires to cultivate a shared understanding, fostering synergy between policymakers and youth. The focus lies in making informed choices regarding policies and actions that directly impact the lives of young people. Our comprehensive suite of activities spans awareness-building efforts aimed at both youth and decision-makers alike. By illuminating the intrinsic value of involving young voices in decision-making, we strive to engender a culture of inclusivity and engagement. Moreover, DEMY-Coop seeks to empower local and regional public authorities by equipping them with the tools to navigate legal, administrative, and cultural impediments to participatory governance models effectively. In parallel, our project endeavors to equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the landscape of territorial cooperation and macro-regional processes. By facilitating access to opportunities, we aim to empower youth to become active participants in shaping the future of their communities. Join us on this transformative journey as we pave the way for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to decision-making. Together, let us build a brighter future, where the voices of youth resonate loud and clear across borders. I was in charge of and supported the implementation of the DEMY-COOP project with particular reference to involvement and communication activities. Specifically, during these three months, I supported the project through these tasks and activities: Participation to project meetings, relating with project partners and stakeholders; Support to the mapping and selection of youth organizations in partners areas; Support to the implementation of an awareness raising campaign, including the creation of a project’s graphic image and communication messages Creation of content for the project website with information regarding the project activities and management of project social media. Here are the networks where you can follow us: Website www.italy-croatia.eu/web/demycoop Facebook page: Interreg DEMY-Coop project Thanks to IVY, I am broadening my knowledge of Cohesion Policy and Territorial Cooperation, and I will also have the opportunity to travel between Italy and Croatia, to network with other young people and to practice soft skills (communication and digital, using a foreign language, meeting other young people) and technical skills (supporting with project implementation and more). I am very grateful for this opportunity and at the same time I am thankful for the chance to broaden my knowledge in the world of Interreg projects, which can open new horizons for my studies and work. – Maria Antonietta D’A., IVY Project Partner at Eurelations Eeuropean Economic Interest Grouping – Eurelations EEIG for the Interreg Italy-Croatia project DEMY-COOP Discover more about Interreg project DEMY-Coop Click Here Discover more about Host Organization EURELATIONS Click Here
My IVY experience at POCTEFA
It has been two months since I assumed the role of IVY Reporter at the Joint Secretariat POCTEFA as part of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) Program. The Joint Secretariat POCTEFA is located in Jaca, a small town in the heart of the Pyrenees, which will be my home until the end of May. Interreg POCTEFA is a European cross-border territorial cooperation program between Spain, France, and Andorra. POCTEFA’s main aim is to expand the economic and social integration of this area by co-financing cross-border cooperation projects lead by actors from both sides of the Pyrenees and from the coastal areas participating in the Program. Over the past two months, I have acclimated to a new professional environment while gaining insights into European funding and cooperation. My primary contributions have been in the Communication and Finances department, working both in Spanish and French. Thus far, this experience has proven to be a noteworthy professional journey, introducing me not only to the realm of European cooperation but also demonstrating the practical and beneficial impacts of European funds on the daily lives of inhabitants of the area. Regarding the latter, I recently assisted to the opening of the Centro de interpretación del Camino de Santiago in Jaca as part of the Jacob@ccess project co-financed by Interreg POCTEFA during the period 2014-2020. This project aims to make the Camino de Santiago accessible to people with physical and mental disabilities and represents one of the multiple examples in which European funds and cooperation help to improve the quality of life of the area’s inhabitants. I would also like to highlight that as part of my participation on the IVY Program, I was recently invited by the Interact Program to share my experience as an IVY Reporter during the XVIII Jornadas of the CIPFP Ausiàs March in València. Throughout the day, representatives from various European initiatives and opportunities provided information to young attendees about mobility opportunities in Europe. Having the opportunity to inspire young students and future leaders filled my heart as I strongly believe that Interreg is an exceptional program that deserves broader recognition. – Marina Alda L., IVY Reporter at the Joint Secretariat Interreg Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA Discover more about Interreg POCTEFA Click Here
Volunteering for the Interreg Europe project CEI BOOST
The CEI BOOST Interreg project represents a strategic initiative aimed at harmonizing the twin transitions towards green growth and digital transformation across Europe. By aligning regional policies with EU objectives such as the Green Deal and the Digital Agenda, the project seeks to drive sustainable economic development. At its core, CEI BOOST focuses on enhancing policies and fostering the application of emerging digital innovations to support the growth of the circular economy. This involves collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, and innovation ecosystem actors, to improve policy conditions and promote the adoption of circular business models through digitalization. Through a comprehensive approach, CEI BOOST aims to strengthen regional digital and circular innovation ecosystems, particularly in non-metropolitan, rural, and emerging regions. By investigating, testing, and adapting intervention approaches, the project seeks to address challenges and optimize resource use within industries. Partnerships play a crucial role in the project’s success, with knowledge exchange, testing, and adaptation, as well as policy advocacy, forming the basis of collaboration among project partners. Ultimately, the project benefits regions, industries, businesses, and policymakers by enhancing competitiveness, fostering economic growth, and contributing to the overall coherence and sustainability of regional economies. As a volunteer for the CEI BOOST project, I have been actively involved in advancing the project’s objectives through various initiatives. One notable engagement was my participation in the Patras IQ Event, where I manned a dedicated kiosk aimed at disseminating information about the project. Through this role, I had the opportunity to raise awareness and engage with attendees, fostering connections and garnering interest in the project’s goals. Additionally, I have been committed to attending stakeholder meetings, where I actively engage with relevant parties and contribute to discussions aimed at shaping the project’s direction. Furthermore, my involvement extended to the creation of a comprehensive questionnaire designed to gather valuable feedback from stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives are incorporated into project planning. Overall, my volunteer efforts have been instrumental in driving the CEI BOOST project forward, facilitating meaningful dialogue, and enhancing its impact within the community. – Odysseas K., IVY Project Partner at “ATHENA Research Center / Industrial Systems Institute” for the Interreg Europe project CEI BOOST Discover more about the Interreg project CEI BOOST Click Here Discover more about Host Organization ATHENA Research Center / Industrial Systems Institute Click Here
Diving into my IVY story alongside the Dialogue4LivingAreas Project
Hi there, I am María Belén Benzaquén, an Italian Argentinian. I started my journey as IVY in the “Dialogue 4 Living Areas” project two months ago. Since then, I have had the unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of Interreg Euro-MED and actively contribute to the aim core’s project to the transformation of Mediterranean territories into resilient Green Living Areas at Metropolis Nice Côte d’Azur, the project’s lead partner in Nice, France. The essence of Dialogue4LivingAreas lies in its commitment to transferring policies by fostering dialogue among policymakers and public stakeholders. This approach is centered on continual policy refinement and transformation, with a primary focus on establishing long-term cooperation at the Euro-Mediterranean level, for an improved quality of life of citizens. Our collaborative efforts with Community4LivingAreas run in parallel, providing concrete and effective implementation of policies across various aspects of Green Living Areas (Environment, Energy, Mobility, Water & Waste Management, and Buildings). In my capacity as IVY Project Partner, I am actively involved in the meticulous management process, working closely with the Dialogue for Green Living Areas Mission Consortium on a peer-to-peer basis. One of our course activities involves developing a comprehensive methodology roadmap and databases for policies that support the Thematic Projects of the Community4LivingAreas. How do we proceed? Designing criteria, and indicators, and assessing the adaptability of policies at the Local, Regional, and National Mediterranean Levels. Our goal is to contribute to the prioritization and capitalization of Thematic Community Projects by comprehensively understanding and addressing their impact. As I pursue my Master’s Degree in Journalism and Digital Communication, my focus is on efficiently fostering cooperation within the project, gaining expertise in strategic research, and enhancing communication strategies to shape the capitalization of essential steps collaboratively. – María Belén B, IVY Project Partner at Metropole Nice Cote d’Azur for the Interreg Euro-MED project Dialogue 4 Living Areas Discover more about the Interreg project Dialogue 4 Living Areas Click Here Discover more about the Host Organization Click Here
A Sea of Opportunities: Cross-Border Cooperation between Italy and Croatia
Hello everyone! I am Sara, I am 25 years old, and I am currently an IVY Volunteer at the Interreg Italy-Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. I have finished my studies in Intercultural Development of Tourism Systems at the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice and I am really motived in my current experience at the Managing Authority of the Programme. I started my volunteering just two months ago, but I had already done my internship at the same programme so I already knew that it was a great place to learn. However, in this new experience I have different tasks, more connected to the Communication field, and I am really loving every moment of it! /*! elementor – v3.19.0 – 28-02-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} But, what about the Programme? The Interreg IT-HR program aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation between the coastal regions of Italy and Croatia to address common challenges and exploit opportunities for sustainable development. The Programme finances cross-border cooperation projects that focus on innovation in the blue economy and it capitalises previous projects, creating stronger synergies with EUSAIR. In particular, it focuses on five thematic priorities: blue innovation, security and resilience, natural and cultural heritage, transport and connectivity, and governance. Partnership projects are identified and financed to reach the Programme objectives: all applicants who wants to participate are invited by public calls for proposals and their applications is assessed on the basis of selection criteria formally approved by the Programme Monitoring Committee. In the programme, I specifically try to ensure higher visibility and communicating about Operations of Strategic Importance (OSI) and their achievements. Moreover, I try to prepare supporting documents to be published on the site of the Programme in a way that may be easy to understand for all, especially young people and citizens. What I love most about this experience is the possibility to attend meetings with the Monitoring Committee or with other programmes to create synergies: these events are a great opportunity to learn more about different realities that can be found in Europe. I think that IVY is a great chance to venture in the world of work: it provides you with the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills; in addition, it is very important to me to be involved in the communication field because I want the Programme to be as famous as possible among the youth since it is a great opportunity that cannot be missed! – Sara, IVY Reporter for the Managing Authority Interreg Italy-Croatia Discover more about the Interreg programme Italy – Croatia Click Here
Taking concrete steps towards carbon neutrality with the Ar2CorD project
A glimpse into the aims of the Ar2CorD programme Concrete is paradoxically both one of the most polluting materials on Earth, and one of the wonders of human architecture across history. Prehistoric forms of its use have been dated back to the Syrian and Yugoslavian Stone Ages, and archeologists have suggested that concrete floors were commonplace in the Chinese Bronze Ages. You may be familiar with the structure of the Roman Pantheon, still standing almost 2000 years after its construction, as evidence of the sturdiness of early forms of lime-based mortars! Unfortunately, modern day Portland cement, birthed in 1871 out of the Industrial revolution in the U.S., has exhaled disastrous amounts of CO₂ onto Planet Earth: its recipe is no longer viable for a sober, sustainable way of life. The Ar2CorD programme was born out of an Interreg partnership between researching entities in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions who recognise that, if concrete cannot be replaced, it must be improved. The project involves new mix designs, using byproducts of local industries as alternative cementitious materials, for example, to provide a form of low-carbon concrete that is resistant to freeze-and-thaw cycle. Cost-efficient, more durable, and environmentally-friendly, Ar2CorD’s low carbon concrete aims to strengthen climate adaptation and resource efficiency for its communities across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. Volunteering for the project A little about me and my experience as an IVY volunteer: my name is Pauline, I am French and I am fascinated with the concept of environmental storytelling. I’ve been volunteering as a Project Partner to the Ar2CorD project for a little over two months, now, and have found it a truly purpose-generating experience. This initiative is as interdisciplinary as it is international. There are so many lenses to look at ecological concrete from. There is a very technical side to it, a very scientific approach to determining the optimal combination of materials for a sustainable result. There is a very interesting historic and artistic aspect to it, too: concrete is a very long-lived, ever-changing material. And there is a very idealistic, futuristic take on its applications. What could a green, environmentally-friendly city look like? I am based at Luleå Tekniska Universitet, in Sweden, a beautiful place where I assist the project wherever I can. My missions are varied: between writing pop science articles, organising events, occasionally assisting in the lab and working on disseminating results, I am part of a truly cooperative ecosystem. “Cohesion” is the main keyword of this experience. Each branch has its own expertise and its own goals, but all these research entities (and their shared landscapes, weather, values and history) come together under the banner of sustainability. It’s a beautiful display of interregional cooperation policies, and I am grateful to be a part of it! – Pauline G., IVY Project Partner at the Lulea University of Technology for the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic project Ar2CorD Discover more about the AR2CORD project Click Here Discover more about UiT Click Here
