Hello everyone!
My name is Beatrice, and today I’m happy to share with you some insights from my experience as an IVY
Reporter 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 feel
like 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 tackle
common 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, Eastern
Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland) and has its Programme Management Authority in
Vienna, 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 make
decisions, 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 Interreg
Volunteer Youth!
– Beatrice, IVY Reporter at the Italian National Contact Point of the Interreg Programme Central Europe
