2nd Interregional Study Visit and Project Meeting in Genoa

From the 2nd to the 5th of December 2024, YESVolunteer partnership is set to host its 2nd Interregional Study Visit and Project Meeting in the historic city of Genoa. YesVolunteer is an EU-funded initiative aimed at enhancing youth volunteering for personal and professional growth. Representatives from seven European regions, including local authorities, civic service leaders, and young volunteers, will come together to foster greater inclusion, skill development, and civic engagement opportunities for rural and disadvantaged youth across Europe.

Organised by Anci Liguria, this event will be held at the prestigious Palazzo Ducale in Genoa. Delegates will engage in strategic sessions, including collaborative presentations on regional achievements, discussions on enhancing EU-level cooperation, and immersive study visits across Genoa’s civic and social services. This four-day event will focus on how local best practices can be shared and adapted across participating regions to enhance cooperation at EU level for the expansion and improvement of civic engagement initiatives for youth, particularly targeting NEETs (young people not in education, employment, or training) and Youth With Fewer Opportunities (YWFO).

Event Highlights:

• Opening Remarks and Keynote Sessions - Anci Liguria will welcome participants with an introduction by Director General Pierluigi Vinai, alongside contributions from project lead partners and external experts.
• Presentations of Local Workshop Results - Regional representatives will present findings from local workshops and discuss strategies to optimise youth volunteer programs, followed by open Q&A sessions.

• Study Visits and Civic Engagement Meetings - On December 3-4, delegates will explore Genoa and the surrounding area through study visits and meetings to witness firsthand the impact of effective civic service programs.

• Collective intelligence workshop to foster cooperation at EU level led by the Seine-Saint-Denis department and the external expert Collective for a European Civic Service filled with examples of good practices across European regions.

• Focused Internal Meeting - Concluding the meeting, project partners will conduct a comprehensive internal meeting to review progress on reporting, communication, and monitoring across the first project period.

YESVolunteer is dedicated to building stronger community bonds and fostering professional pathways for youth through meaningful volunteering experiences. By sharing knowledge and successful strategies among regions, YESVolunteer aims to increase the inclusivity and effectiveness of youth volunteering, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This project plays an essential role in shaping the future of European civic engagement programs, enabling young people across Europe to thrive in a more connected and socially responsible continent.

About YESVolunteer: YESVolunteer is a European project designed to empower young people (aged 18-30) through enriched civic engagement and volunteer opportunities. It seeks to address barriers to youth professionalisation and inclusion by improving policy tools, facilitating cross-regional cooperation, and adapting best practices to meet diverse local needs. YESVolunteer is focused on fostering equitable opportunities for rural youth and providing pathways for underrepresented groups, such as NEETs and YWFO, to gain professional skills and contribute positively to their communities.

Discover more about the YESVolunteer project at: https://www.interregeurope.eu/yesvolunteer