Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) is a programme for young people eager to gain new international experiences through volunteering and interested to contribute to solidarity projects through cooperation. Along with local actors, IVY volunteers tackle the challenges that Europe and its neighbouring regions are facing, helping to find and implement common solutions.
IVY volunteers serve in cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects to support cooperation and contribute to building a strong and united Europe in the regions where they are active. Each experience is between 2 and 6 months long, and volunteers are supported financially.
IVY is an initiative of the European Commission and the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR).
How does it work
There are two ways to join the Interreg Volunteer Youth:
- As Interreg Reporters, to help highlight the results of Interreg programmes
- As Interreg Project Partners, to contribute to the implementation of projects
Each experience is between minimum 2 and maximum 6 months long. Volunteers can be deployed in any of 27 EU Member States and partner countries.
Who can take part
IVY is open to young people (18 to 30 year old) residing in one of these countries:
EU Member States (including outermost regions): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden
Neighbouring partner countries: Andorra, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Countries involved in Pre-Accession Assistance Cross-border Co-operation Programmes (IPA-CBC): Serbia, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Turkiye
Countries involved in Neighbourhood Cross-border Co-operation Programmes (ENI-CBC) and Interreg NEXT: Algeria, Armenia, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Republic of Moldova, Tunisia and Ukraine
Countries involved in Interreg D (Outermost Regions Programmes): Cap-Vert (Cape Verde), Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritania, Senegal, São Tome and Principe, Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Australia, India, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Porto Rico.
Interreg Project Partner
Young people between 18 and 30 year old can apply to become an Interreg Project Partner. Volunteers involved as Interreg Project Partners contribute specifically to the implementation of the Interreg project they’ve been assigned to, in the flied they love.
There is a big variety of Interreg activities (from the education and culture fields to the health and environment ones, and so on), so all types of backgrounds are welcome to become an Interreg Project Partner.
Interreg Reporter
Young people between 18 and 30 year old can apply to become an Interreg Reporter to help communicate the achievements of Interreg. Good knowledge of using social media in a professional context and produce videos are particularly helpful.
Placements and application
All available placement offers are displayed here and you can apply filling in the form at the bottom of the page with the offer.
Selection process
The coordinating organisation (AEBR) will pre-select some suitable profiles for each specific offer, taking into account the host organisation’s specific needs.
The host organisation will choose the successful candidate(s) by setting up interviews with all or some of the pre-selected candidates.
Funding
Volunteers receive a daily allowance, depending on the host country. It covers accommodation, food, local transport plus pocket money.
AEBR covers also the volunteers’ travel costs based on km distance they would do from their home address to the host organisation’s address.
IVY volunteers are fully covered with health, liability and accident insurance.
Grants to organise your own local event
The European Commission and AEBR also provide additional funds for IVY volunteers who wish to organise local events, known as Citizens’ Engagement Activities, informing citizens of the achievements of the European Regional Policy. As an IVY volunteer, you can come up with your own ideas on how to best raise awareness of the benefits that the Cohesion Policy provides locally, and how to engage citizens in a stimulating debate.
More information: Eurodesk
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