Calling all the IVYs and former IVYs – Consultation on the Future of Interreg
Territorial cooperation lies at the heart of sustainable development, and the youth perspective is a powerful catalyst for positive change. This year, the European Commission’s DG REGIO has invited all Interreg programmes to consult their stakeholders and citizens, in order to shape the next regulation on Interreg, set to take effect in 2027. To draw on the vision of young people, AEBR invites all current and former volunteers who took part in the Interreg Volunteer Youth programme to participate in a consultation on the future of Interreg.
Involving young people in the consultation is essential. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm can shape policies and programmes effectively. IVY volunteers already play an important role in this context – they started to be deployed to support Interreg Programmes with their consultations – and so this is an opportunity of hearing their voice directly! By actively engaging youth, we ensure that their inputs and needs are acknowledged.
Similarly to Interreg Programmes, AEBR’s IVY Team has the mission of throwing a consultation on the future of territorial cooperation: we invite all IVY volunteers – current and former ones – to reply to the Consultation’s Survey about future Interreg. AEBR recognises that insights from the volunteers are valuable to shape policies that impact our regions and aims in having as many inputs as possible.
This discussion has already started, the IVY Team hosted a workshop online to inform about the main priorities of Cohesion Policy and especially about the results achieved by Interreg, so to look together towards the future of Territorial Cooperation with the official launch and presentation of the consultation on Interreg post 2027, and will continue until 2025, in an event in first cross-border European Capital of Culture: Gorizia and Nuova Gorica, in April.
The consultation process has already started: the IVY Team hosted a workshop online to inform about the main priorities of Cohesion Policy and especially about the results achieved by Interreg, so to look together towards the future of Territorial Cooperation with the official launch and presentation of the consultation on Interreg post 2027. It was followed by the official online event “Post-2027 Consultations: voice of Interreg volunteers” organized by the European Commission’s DG REGIO and AEBR, on 9th July. The event was recorded and is available online on IVY’s YouTube channel, and had high-level members of both organisations as speakers.
European Commission’s DG Regio invites some of the IVY Volunteers to join the conference “Youth in post-2027 Interreg”, which will take place in Brussels on 15th November, together with other youth groups connected to Interreg, such as the Cross-Border Ambassadors and the Youth Councils, to engage in the discussion about strengths and improvement needed in Interreg. IVYs interested in joining are welcome to apply directly at this form. All costs of participation will be covered.
Exciting times lie ahead for the future of Territorial Cooperation, with many interesting activities planned for this year and for 2025, when an event will be held in the first European Capital of Cross-border Culture, Gorizia and New Gorica, in the month of April. The Commission is involving the youth in this event, planned to discuss the great inputs gathered in the consultations.
Youth voices matter. Let’s make them heard!
Note: If you are a current or former IVY Volunteer, take the opportunity to continue contributing to the present and future of Territorial Cooperation by participating in specific events and activities organised within the IVY Alumni. Express your interest in shaping the IVY Alumni initiative and in participating in the next events.
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