Hello IVY community!
My name is Konstantinos, and I come from Greece. I am currently volunteering as an IVY at the University of Western Macedonia. My host organization is participating in the URBANFLOODS project, an initiative funded by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme. The goal of this project is to increase the Adriatic-Ionian region’s urban resilience to flood risks.
The URBANFLOODS project is promoting urban resilience through an integrated advanced decision support system (DSS) for flood management. With this system, we can enhance flood preparedness by assisting Municipalities, Regional Authorities, and Civil Protection agencies in making fast and effective decisions before flood emergencies happen. Today’s ever-increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, increases the demand for international consortiums and projects that can mitigate flood hazards and protect local communities.
The Project brings together 11 partners and 11 associated partners from 8 countries: Albania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. The University of Western Macedonia acts as the Lead Partner, coordinating the overall implementation of the project and ensuring smooth collaboration among all participating institutions. As an IVY volunteer, I contribute to the communication and stakeholder engagement activities of the URBANFLOODS project, which promotes cross-border cooperation to enhance flood resilience in the Adriatic-Ionian region. My responsibilities include supporting the dissemination of project outcomes, helping organise events, and raising awareness about the project’s goals among local communities and stakeholders.
A highlight of my volunteering experience has been stepping out of my comfort zone and engaging in a truly international environment. Working alongside partners from different countries has helped me better understand the value of cooperation and solidarity in addressing shared challenges. It’s a unique opportunity that has broadened my perspective and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
The project will help local communities, municipalities, policy makers, and emergency services implement timely and effective flood mitigation strategies, ultimately protecting lives, infrastructure, and the environment.
Taking part in the URBANFLOODS has been an incredible experience for me. I have gained knowledge into environmental risk management, European territorial cooperation, cohesion policy, and the importance of transnational partnerships. I also had the chance to work and engage with experts from different fields and contribute to a project that has a real impact on people’s lives. I am grateful to the IVY programme for giving me this opportunity and to the University of Western Macedonia for their guidance and support. I encourage young people to explore IVY programs and discover the many ways they can contribute to European cooperation and sustainability.
– Konstantinos, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg project URBANFLOODS
