Adventures of the ERB Ivy volunteers

Hi everyone!

Here are Milena and Danilo, two young Italian Ivy volunteers (lost) in Poland.

No, we didn’t know each other before and we are not doing the same project. Actually we don’t even live in the same city.

But last week there was a very interesting event in Gdansk, the “Communication Training for project manager”, organized by the South Baltic Interreg, and we have met there.

We couldn’t stop to talk about our different experiences:

I am an Interreg Project Partner the at International Permanent Secretariat Euroregion Baltic in Elblag, while Danilo is an Interreg Reporter at Joint Secretariat INTERREG SOUTH BALTIC PROGRAMME, in Gdansk.

What does it means?

Well, in few words, Danilo is mainly involved in communication and dissemination of information concerning INTERREG projects, cross-border cooperation and so on;

Regarding me,  instead, my tasks are more related to support and implement 2 INTERREG projects: CaSYPot, which aims is to find a common Youth Strategy among the Baltic Regions, and InterConnect, which focuses on new and more efficient public transport services.

Where do we live?

We are both in Poland; Danilo lives in Gdansk, one of the largest cities in Poland, on the Baltic Sea. It’s an international city, full of students, tourists and young people. There is a river that goes into the city centre, which reminds me of Navigli in Milano, just to give you an idea.

I live in Elblag, not far from Gdansk. Ok, we don’t have the sea, but we have beautiful parks and forests. When the weather is nice I go with my super-bike among trees and wild vegetation.

What’s next?

Honestly, we don’t know exactly, but for sure this experience has brought us a lot. We are both thinking of staying in Poland for the future, or maybe for a few years.

Danilo has even managed to learn a bit of Polish, which, believe me, is not easy at all!

We want to say thanks to IVY for this experience, thanks to Euroregion Baltic International Permanent Secretariat and Joint Secretariat Interreg South Baltic Programme to host us,

we are learning a lot from You, from the organizations and from the people are behind them.

Starting from February 2018 Euroregion Baltic – International Permanent Secretariat based in Elblag (Poland) is willing to host a volunteer, in the frame of Interreg Volunteer Youth – IVY, up to 6 months. IVY stands for Interreg Volunteer Youth and it’s designed to offer the possibility to young Europeans aged 18-30 to serve as volunteers in cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects. Being solidarity and volunteering at the heart of the IVY, this initiative is part of the European Solidarity Corps. The initiative is aimed at involving young volunteers to support, promote and report the concrete achievements of Interreg programmes and projects, as well as generally promote cooperation across European borders and related values such as solidarity. The IVY will give volunteers the opportunity to familiarise with the Interreg programmes and projects, make them aware of the many benefits of collaboration among EU internal borders as well as enhance their sense of European solidarity, citizenship and civic engagement.

Since September 2017, Euroregion Baltic – International Permanent Secretariat has been hosting an IVY volunteer from Italy, working on the communication and dissemination related activities as well as the capitalization of the results of the surveys carried out in the South Baltic Region.

For more information visit https://www.interregyouth.com/ or send an e-mail to domenico.misurelli@euroregionbaltic.eu

It’s been exactly one year since the launch of the European Solidarity Corps on December 7th, 2016, after having been announced in September by President Juncker during the State of the Union Address before the European Parliament.

(more…)

On November 3rd, 2017 IVY volunteers Domenico Misurelli and Ioana Onisora along with Zofia Makowska, Project Manager at the Regional Council in Kalmar Region, attended the first edition of the Klaipeda Youth Forum. Entitled “Breakthrough in youth policy: is it (un)necessary?”, the forum was held at the Lithuanian Sea Museum and saw the presence of a large number of young participants belonging to several organizations.

(more…)

On October 18th, Domenico Misurelli, IVY volunteer at ERB International Permanent Secretariat, and Dawid Jedrzejak, member of ERB – Youth Board, had the chance to organize a seminar at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn presenting ERB activities, ERASMUS + related projects, IVY initiative and CaSYPoT project.

(more…)

WHAT’S IVY?

IVY stands for “Interreg Volunteer Youth” and is a pilot action to offer the possibility to young Europeans aged 18-30 to serve as volunteers in cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects for 2-6 months. Being solidarity and volunteering at the heart of IVY, this initiative is part of the European Solidarity Corps. Every participant is financially supported with a daily allowance.

Hey! My name is Onisor Ioana and I am coming from Romania. Eternal volunteer and student, sometimes both at the same time, I simply cannot say ‘no’ to new challenges. Studying International relations and European Studies in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, I have managed to put in practice my knowledge by studying in three different countries and adding two more for volunteering purposes. I love to help and work for different social issues, especially for the youth of today and tomorrow.

I have managed to live in these countries not only thanks to my motivation but also with the help of the European Union programs targeted to youth mobilities. Two Erasmus scholarships, one in Groningen, Netherlands and the second one in Rabat, Morocco, one European Voluntary Service completed a year in Bordeaux, France made me more aware of the challenges we face today in the Union. This is why I believe that all my international past has served me as a stepping stone for what was going to happen next – being recruited to volunteer in the CaSYPoT Project in Kalmar, Sweden for the next five months.

When borders are significantly less important, the differences between regions stand out and this is where we step in. Following the surveys focused on youth issues around the South Baltic Region, I will be dealing with social media related activities, the results of the surveys and the follow-up discussions and meetings. Daily, I am getting accustomed to the vast and diverse CaSYPoT project, acquiring new information at the Regional Council in Kalmar. Life is for learning and for fully experiencing all that it gives. Have I mentioned that I have been given the opportunity to live on an island in Sweden? Öland is an amazing place to visit and explore.

Hi, folks! My name is Domenico Misurelli from Italy.

But…what does a Mediterranean guy do in Poland?

It’s safe to say that I’m here because of an amazing experience called European Voluntary Service. Indeed, in 2015 I spent 6 months in Limassol (Cyprus) serving as a volunteer for an NGO named Key – Innovation in Culture, Education and Youth. Over there I worked to promote volunteering among locals and to raise awareness on the importance of active citizenship organizing intercultural events, seminars and exchanges. In the morning I used to help in the charity centre managed by the local Orthodox Church. Among French and Cypriots, Spanish and Romanians, Greeks and Poles I learned that if your native culture determines who you are, it’s only through the exchange of knowledge and feelings that you come to realize that there’s a vast world beyond every single border.

And what does this have to do with the fact that I’m in Poland now?

Well, I couldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for such an enlightening experience: I can talk in public without feeling my heart is going to blow up; I am aware of my limits but I do know that they can be overcome; I can handle my workload without panicking if something goes wrong. As simple as that. This personal development boosted by the experience in Cyprus – combined with my studies in International Relations and General Management – made me able to apply successfully for this position.

So, why am I here?

I am here to work in the CaSYPoT Project at the Euroregion Baltic – International Permanent Secretariat in Elblag where I’ll be dealing with communication and dissemination related activities as well as the capitalization of the results of the surveys carried out in the South Baltic Region. Obviously, only if the glacial Polish winter will not tear this Mediterranean guy down!

If you’re a young European aged between 18-30 years old wishing to have an opportunity as a volunteer abroad the IVY – Interreg Voluntary Youth could be a unique solution. The initiative, part of the European Solidarity Corps, aims at involving young volunteers to support, promote and report achievements of Interreg programmes and projects. It will also make them aware of the many benefits of collaboration among EU internal borders as well as enhance their sense of European solidarity, citizenship and civic engagement.

Among several offers currently available on IVY website, there are two involving Baltic countries such as Germany and Estonia.

As of Germany, the volunteer will help with the implementation of the project “Baltic Blue Growth” as an Interreg Project Partner at the German Coastal Union in Rostock . During the project, the volunteer will learn how human activities affect the environment, how stakeholder groups are formed, how a project like Baltic Blue Growth can be used to share knowledge among Baltic Sea neighbouring countries and improve transnational cooperation. Therefore the volunteer will also participate in project-related events and communication activities. During the project which is expected to last 6 months starting from October – deadline ASAP – the volunteer will receive a financial support of 22 euros per day. 

As of Estonia, the volunteer will contribute to the visibility of the project “SCULT World Sport Volunteers Movement” in Tallin. As an Interreg Project Partner, the volunteer will help to formulate the communication plan working hand in hand with the events team in the preparation of activities and events. The project will last for 6 months starting from September and the volunteer will receive 21 euros per day.