Citizens' engagement: New action from the Interreg Volunteer Youth

A new set of activities has been launched under the framework of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative, part of the European Solidarity Corps.  Since 2017, IVY has been providing more than 270 young citizens aged 18-30 with the opportunity to take an active role in the promotion of European integration and European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) by involving them in an Interreg programme or project.  After two years of successful stories, we are pleased to announce that a further tool has been developed in order to empower citizens' - especially youth - voices and their vision of European Territorial Cooperation, as well as to raise awareness of European Cohesion Policy - the 'Citizens' Engagement Activities'.

Through the newly established Citizens' Engagement Activities, IVY volunteers deployed in European countries have the chance to be involved in the organisation of local informal events connecting the public around the subject of EU Cohesion Policy.  These events serve the aim of sharing knowledge and concrete experiences of the actions undertaken by the European Union, while creating a space for exchanges among citizens, local and regional actors on local needs.  In the organisation of these activities, IVY volunteers cooperate with experienced local organisers in the Member States and promote the active involvement of the wider community as citizens’' engagement is the cornerstone of the initiative.

The action was launched in February 2019 and it will run until at least the end of 2019.  IVY volunteers all over Europe have already shown their enthusiasm about the initiative, and numerous activities are foreseen throughout the year.  So do not miss the chance to follow the different events, promoting this new action and hearing their stories.  To learn more about the Citizens' Engagement Activities, click here.

Other important news: it will soon be possible for young people or organisations from IPA-CBC and EEA countries and Switzerland to take part in Interreg Volunteer Youth.  So, stay tuned for more news.