The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) is an initiative promoting volunteering experiences within Interreg Programmes and Projects. As such, it is part of the European Commission’s European Solidarity Corps.
IVY offers the possibility to cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects to host volunteers (EU citizens aged between 18 and 30) for 2 to 6 months to support, promote and report achievements of Interreg programmes and projects while also increasing awareness of the benefits of collaboration across EU internal borders. Thanks to IVY, volunteers enhance their sense of European solidarity, citizenship and civic engagement, and also gain useful skills.
Interreg Managing Authorities and/or Joint Secretariats can host Interreg Reporters, who help to disseminate information on the benefits of territorial integration on the ground. Reporter volunteers mainly support communication tasks by bringing an informal and creative approach.
Interreg Projects can host Interreg Project Partners in order to be supported in the implementation of the project’s goal and show the solidarity dimension of Interreg cooperation.
This page is dedicated to the many IVY volunteers who want to share their personal insight on the added valued brought by IVY to both young Europeans and Interreg actors.
Thank you for all the life-changing experiences! And thank you to all of you volunteering or working in projects that are making our communities a better place to live.
Aida Mérida García
Priego de Córdoba (Spain)
Partner
“I hope to know new people form different places, to share with them the projects in which we are involve and learn as much as possible.”
Trinity College (Project Partner under Interreg Ireland-Wales) - Dublin (Ireland)
Alina Jasmin FELDER
Tübingen (Germany)
Partner
“There is now doubt that this experience will let me grow personally to an immense extent since the working context is international and allows me to become more sensible towards questions of cultural diversity.”
Anna Tramarin
Bonavicina (Italy)
Partner
“This programme, together with other youth mobility programmes such as Erasmus and EVS, is a great opportunity not only in terms of individual growth, but also to strengthen European citizenship and help develop a stronger European identity in young people.”
AVITEM (Project Partner under Interreg MED) - Marseille (France)
Antje Wilke
Varel (Germany)
Reporter
“I believe that cross-national communication, understanding and cooperation are essential for a peaceful and strong Europe.”
Antonija Grizelj
Virovitica (Croatia)
Reporter
“I want to promote solidarity which I believe it is very important in Europe nowadays as well as bringing European citizens and its countries closer to each other.”
Arrigo Pinsuti
Sinalunga (Italy)
Partner
“I joined IVY as I believe that such an initiative can be a valuable tool to promote values, such as solidarity and cooperation, that have been fundamental in the birth and growth of the European Union.”
EUCC-Coastal Union Germany (Project Partner under Interreg Baltic Sea) - Rostock (Germany)
Assena Rokanova Sørensen
Ishøj (Denmark)
Reporter
“I believe that IVY will give me an opportunity of personal growth and gaining skills that I can be proud of in the future”
INTERREG North Periphery & Artic Programme - Copenhagen (Denmark)
Birgit Sandu Gociu
Trento (Italy)
Partner
“I believe that programmes such those who IVY organises, aimed to raising awareness of issues incluiding European citizenship and solidarity, and carrying the purpose of bringing citizens closer to an active democracy, can truly represents a means for tackling this widespread political disaffection”
EURAC (Project Partner under Interreg Alpine Space) - Bolzano (Italy)
Claudia Guzzon
Marano Lagunare (Italy)
Reporter
“I am fascinated by the idea of directly contributing to the implementation and promotion of Interreg. I am also extremely interested in territorial cooperation and particularly sensitive to its social dimension: Interreg recognises the EU territorial diversity and potential, it can really reduce disparities and support sustainable and inclusive growth in all EU regions. This is the only way to build a better Europe.”
Cristina Baciu
Focșani (Romania)
Partner
“I have joined IVY from the desire of working in a multicultural environment and have the opportunity to see how a European project is implemented and developed among participants from different countries.”
euPrevent (Project Partner under Interreg Flanders-The Netherlands) - Maastricht (Netherlands)
Damir Masic
Altmuenster (Austria)
Partner
“To my opinion, it is important to get active for important aspects of our daily life like social aspects or nature conservation, I want to contribute within my IVY experience to make our region and our living together more valuable, more sustainable, more peaceful, more fun.”
Diana Zsoldos
Kisvárda (Hungary)
Reporter
“My expectation is to learn a lot more about EU cohesion policy an experience a more integrated, international, truly European lifestyle”
Domenico Misurelli
Canosa di Puglia (Italy)
Partner
“From this experience I expect to have the opportunity to improve soft skills such as cross-cultural management, flexibility and adaptability but also to get some practical skills such as data collection, project management, event organization related to Interreg program.”
Euroregion Baltic (Project Partner under Interreg South Baltic) - Elbląg (Poland)
Ellen Lundkvist
Lärbro (Sweden)
Reporter
“I have joined IVY to have an interesting and personal developing experience and at the same time contribute to something positive for the European society.”
Enikő Simó
Százhalombatta (Hungary)
Partner
“I find it crucially important to strengthen the solidarity between European countries.”
IFKA (Project under Danube Transnational Programme) - Budapest (Hungary)
François Stockart
Liège (Belgium)
Partner
“I have joined IVY because I wanted to spend some time working on a European project and believe in the values of solidarity and equality the organisation promotes.”
RARENET (Project Partner under Interreg Oberrhein-Rhin Superieur) - Strasbourg (France)
Giovanni Rende
Corciano (Italy)
Reporter
“In a globalized world, with the intensification of relationships and trades between nations, international cooperation is the basis for a peaceful future and common development.”
Ioana Onisor
Brasov (Romania)
Partner
“When borders are significantly less important, the differences between regions stand out and this is where we step in. The Interreg Volunteer Youth pilot initiative is exactly targeted towards this aspect: providing the volunteers with the chance to bring regions closer, in a borderless Union.”
Kalmar Regional County (Project Partner under Interreg South Baltic) - Kalmar (Sweden)
Janou Herberighs
Schimmert (Netherlands)
Partner
“I wanted to join a project in which I could learn more about developing teaching materials and find out how childrens are stimulated by schools to look across the border.”
Jasmin Kanditt
Luetz (Germany)
Reporter
“IVY, offers a unique opportunity to gain some first-hand experience in the field of Territorial Cooperation on the ground(...) I believe that it is important to communicate the added value that this special cross-border programme brings to the people in the area concerned”
Jasper Frese
Lübeck (Germany)
Partner
“I am expecting to develop friendships and professional partnerships that will hopefully accompany me for the rest of my life.”
Jonas Lang
Freigericht (Germany)
Partner
“I joined IVY to broaden my horizon for a potential career in an institution of the European Union. Coming from a younger generation of Europeans I feel the need to contribute to the European idea and spirit”
Katia Sedran
Azzano Decimo (Italy)
Reporter
“I would like to support Interreg´s work as a volunteer because I have always believed in the importance of enhancing solidarity among European citizens, especially across European borders in order to build a better Europe”
Kelly Kocks
Treviso (Italy)
Reporter
“I share the main values the programm seeks to promote and enhance, namely solidarity and cooperation across European regions, which I consider an important goal at this stage in which European regions need these values to overcome major issues like the migrant crisis and the rise of the populist trend”
Laura Laganá
Piombino (Italy)
Reporter
“I decide to join the IVY- program because I want to be an active European citizen. I want to do something to make a better place our Union: by learning about political and social situations and by be involved in first person in the territorial cooperation.”
Laura Novello
Brussels (Belgium)
Reporter
“I am quite proud of contributing to the functioning of a Programme funded by a European fund which has positive impacts on local population and that aims at making citizens’ lives better.”
INTERREG France-Italie Alcotra Joint Secretariat - Torino (Italy)
Lena Peltz
Essen (Germany)
Partner
“I have joined IVY because I am interested in different cultures and how they can work together”
Leyla Michela Tarahomi
Torino (Italy)
Reporter
“I support the idea of strengthening partnerships between EU states across borders, because I consider it a more profound and useful way of cooperation among UE members and people”
INTERREG Germany-Netherlands/Euregio Rhein-Waal - Kleve (Netherlands)
Manon Levrey
Remoray (France)
Reporter
“IVY brought me closer and more accustomed to the “EU sphere”, I had the chance to mature my professional expectations and to build up a strong network which I am sure will prove itself useful in my future experiences. In fact, I have an interview in Brussels next Tuesday… Fingers crossed!”
Danube Transnational Programme Joint Secretariat - Budapest (Hungary)
Mareen Tatjana Mater
Berlin (Germany)
Partner
“I am delighted to participate in implementing cross border projects and to spread the word about the many advantages that the EU brings to Europe- both at the macro and the micro level.”
Michele Tapparello
Sovere (Italy)
Partner
“I’ve joined IVY since it seems a really interesting program concerning different aspects I care: from solidarity and helping each other, to the idea of sharing knowledge and know-hows that can improve humanity growth and better the world, both from a human and social point of view and from an environmental one.”
Trinity College (Project under Interreg Ireland-Wales) - Dublin (Ireland)
Mona Farnisa
Dublin (Ireland)
Reporter
“I am excited to be working from the inside of the projects that the European Union and countries are running. I want to take on the challenges of understanding the scope of the projects, the impacts they have, and their achievements, for other young Europeans to be aware of and understand.”
Nóra Sebesi
Szentes (Hungary)
Reporter
“IVY in my view takes my volunteer experience to the next level: working with professionals from every corner of the EU is a very exciting and highly rewarding activity, that gives a great insight into Interreg programmes and the EU - an essential asset today.”
Danube Transnational Programme Joint Secretariat - Budapest (Hungary)
Ondřej Kubalec
Blazovice (Czech Republic)
Partner
“I have joined IVY because I believe that international cooperation within EU countries, mutual understanding and working towards common goals is becoming an essential part of the life of every open-minded European citizen.”
Pauline Djian
Paris (France)
Reporter
“An Interreg Volunteer benefits from a specific status: thanks to the link to AEBR, the volunteer has more freedom compared to an intern or apprentice to develop new creative modes of communication (in line with the volunteers’ specialties) and to disseminate information via his/her own social media, targeting new groups and stakeholders such as schools and universities.”
Robbert Van Tilborg
Vlaardingen (Netherlands)
Reporter
“I firmly believe in and want to contribute to European integration. I expect that my experience at IVY will be a good first step towards that goal.”
Rubén Pulido Rodríguez
El Arenal (Spain)
Partner
“Doing a volunteering is a great chance to overcome the cultural differences, understanding the diversity of every country.”
Silvia Gabbatore
Piove di Sacco (Italy)
Reporter
“I believe that the European Union could greatly benefit from a more direct contact with citizens and from their participation in the planning of common policies, especially in these times.”
INTERREG France-Italie Alcotra Joint Secretariat - Torino (Italy)
Silvia Kuehl
Belluno (Italy)
Partner
“The IVY gives young Europeans the chance to experience and contribute practically to the realization of Interreg policies, so to benefit the local territorial reality they are placed in and yet simultaneosly take part of a broader EU-spread context in which territories can cooperate and citizens grow closer.”
Camera di Commercio di Torino (Project Partner under Interreg Alpine Space) - Torino (Italy)
Simona Pagnotta
Corigliano Calabro (Italy)
Partner
“Initiative like IVY are needed to enhance our sense of belonging to Europe as to bearing in mind its values and principles, while it offers also the opportunity to fully understand the meaning of European citizenship.”
Sofia Castoldi
Mariano Comense (Italy)
Reporter
“I believe that alongside euroscepticism, the metaphorical distance between European nations could be dangerous too, and in this context I see IVY as an opportunity to build concrete results in the cohesion between states, and to participate in that.”
Sophie Royer
Saint Avold (France)
Reporter
“I am convince that in our society, with the globalization, it is not possible to act alone. For example in environment action, it is very important to act together because it does no know borders”
Teresa de Vivo
Quarto (Italy)
Partner
“Being an Interreg Project Partner at the EGTC GO gave me the chance to see how cohesion policy really works, after having studied it for years. It is amazing to be actively involved in a Programme that pursues two of the main goals of the European Union: cross-border cooperation and solidarity and in particular it feels great to promote projects that aim at improving the life and the well-being of citizens of my home country (Italy) and one of its neighbours, Slovenia.”
EGTC go (Project Partner under Interreg Italy-Slovenia) - Gorizia (Italy)
Theodoros Plessas
Athens (Greece)
Partner
“My sense of European belonging has always been very strong, but my IVY experience solidified it even more. I had an insider look into how the EU really helps people in regions by funding projects that promote integration and mobility”
Tommaso Castaldo
Afragola (Italy)
Partner
“To learn how to work for a longer time with people from another country and different culture, in order to move my personal career in an international environment.”
Valentina Locatelli
Treviolo (Italy)
Partner
“I was willing to join a cause I share and be given the concrete possibility to make a strong and positive impact on young people through a project focused on solidarity, building bridges across borders to conect youngsters and promote tolerance and intercultural understanding, my guding principles in personal and professional life”
PAMINA (Project Partner under Interreg Oberrhein-Rhin Superieur) - Lauterbourg (France)
Victoria Perez
Brussels (Belgium)
Partner
“My ambition is to help build a better Europe and, in this regard, I am convinced cooperation within its member states has always been the key for achieving this goal.”
AVITEM (Project Partner under Interreg MED) - Marseille (France)
Virginija Balčiūnaitė
Vilnius (Lithuania)
Reporter
“I strongly believe in a united trough diversity Europe, which has to be increased in the contemporary era of populism and alienation.”
INTERREG France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen (Ardennes) - Charleville-Mézières Cedex (France)
Xander Zwaneveld
Veessen (Netherlands)
Partner
“I expect to gain a lot during my time with IVY. I will improve my skills in working independently, working with children and teenagers, and in making our project interesting for media and people.”
Yonec Bremmers
Zwolie (Netherlands)
Partner
“I consider IVY to be a great experience for young Europeans who wish to have a better understanding of the European community, and to understand what are concepts as “European solidarity” and “European citizenships”.”
