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Lisa joined the ALDA team as a Project Manager Assistant. Originally from Pesaro, Italy, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomatic and International Sciences from the University of Bologna and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Political Communication at the Université libre de Bruxelles. She is deeply passionate about human rights, impactful projects, international affairs, and politics.

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Lisa has gained significant international experience by studying and working in multicultural environments. She studied in Italy, France (Sciences Po Strasbourg), and Belgium, and previously gained valuable professional experience during a traineeship at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Her experience working within a European Agency contributed to shaping a solid understanding of EU policies, institutional frameworks, and international cooperation mechanisms.

At ALDA, Lisa is involved in the management and implementation of European projects, with a particular focus on environmental topics. Her work is centered around Project Cycle Management, where she actively contributes to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities and their financial aspects. Furthermore, she supports the communication and dissemination of project results, fosters networking relationships with international partners, and researches new co-financing opportunities. Lisa speaks Italian, French, and English, with a strong interest in Spanish and German.

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Michela joined the ALDA’s Vicenza office in January 2026 as intern of the Membership Office.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Politics Law and Economics from the University of Milan, followed by a Double Master’s Degree in European and Global Studies between the University of Padova and SciencesPo Grenoble.

Interested in European Programming and Institutional Communication, during her curricular internship at Feltrinelli Foundation she supported the work in institutional engagement and communication as well as engaging with European funded projects.

During her experiences studying abroad in Germany and France, she loved working in international settings in close contact with people, and developing her own sense of european citizenship. She is passionate about engagement of localities, citizen engagement in policy and cultural processes, migration and integration issues at European level.
She thrives in international contexts and cultural exchanges where she can fully express and connect with different experiences.

A native italian speaker, she is fluent in English, proficient in French and holds a basic knowledge of German.  

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Francesca joined ALDA in January 2026 as a Project Manager Assistant.
Having studied in France, Germany and Poland, she holds a trinational Master’s degree in European Studies. She gained experience in project writing and management during an internship in Dublin and while working for the student and alumni association of her Master’s programme. She later developed expertise in EU Cohesion funds through an internship at a regional association in Brussels.

Active in local volunteering for over a decade, she strongly believes that meaningful change begins on the ground and requires the support and cooperation of all levels of governance.

A native Italian speaker, she is also fluent in English, French and Spanish and is currently learning German.

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Giulia Cogolato joined the ALDA team in September 2025 ad Ukraine LDA Assistant Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Trento and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, with a strong academic focus on European affairs, international cooperation, and human rights protection.


Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has gained international experience by studying and working in different countries. She studied in Madrid and Boston and later worked in Brussels at the European Parliament. These experiences contributed to shaping a solid understanding of EU policies, multilevel governance, and international cooperation mechanisms.


Giulia is currently a member of ALDA’s Ukraine Task Force, where she actively contributes to the development of European–Ukrainian partnerships. Her work focuses on fostering cooperation between local authorities and civil society actors, supporting the design and implementation of projects aimed at strengthening local democracy and contributing to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction process.

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Eleonora works in the Fundraising and Project Design Department of ALDA as a developer of projects funded by the European Union in the field of good governance, environment and sustainability, local development and citizens’ engagement.

Eleonora joined ALDA in 2025, after 7+ years as Project Manager and Project Designer, working for non-profit organisations, public administration, and consultancy organisations on different EU Programmes (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, COSME/Single Market Programme, European Social Fund). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in “Management and Economics”, a Master Degree in “Management for Civic Economy” and attended vocational training courses on EU Project Funding and Management.

She is proficient in Italian, English and has basic knowledge of German and French. 

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Caterina is Communication Officer at ALDA.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication. After graduating, she started her career as a Communication Officer in an international company. She later moved back to Treviso, where she further developed her skills as a Social & Content Manager in a creative agency.

Alongside her professional work, Caterina was elected as a Local Councillor in Treviso in 2023. She is also actively involved in volunteering with several local associations, where she works to promote equality and active civic participation. In 2024, she co-founded an association focused on encouraging youth participation and engagement at the local level.

A native Italian speaker, Caterina is fluent in English and French.

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Eylül Su joined ALDA’s Vicenza office in December 2025 as a Project Manager Assistant.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Mobility Studies at the University of Padova, building on her Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Celal Bayar University in Türkiye. Passionate about human rights and gender equality, she previously gained experience at the Istanbul-based international social organization Turkish Women’s International Network, where she contributed as a communications and events intern, supporting initiatives that promote women’s empowerment, gender equality, and inclusion. A native Turkish speaker, she is fluent in English and is currently improving her Italian.

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Teodora Deljanin is Communications Officer at ALDA, drawing on a strong foundation in strategic communication, policy analysis and civic engagement.

With prior experience as a political analyst and researcher focusing on youth participation, democratic resilience and conflict-transformation, she applies her skills to advancing ALDA’s mission in local democracy and citizen empowerment. Teodora holds a Master’s degree in European and Global Studies from the University of Padova and has developed competence in social-media strategy, multimedia storytelling and multilingual outreach across the Western Balkans and European networks.

Passionate about inclusive governance and global peace, she seeks to connect research, advocacy and communications to strengthen community resilience and amplify young voices.

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Maria works as a project manager at ALDA implementation department based in Vicenza. 

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science, International Relations and Human Rights from the University of Padua with a grade of 110 cum laude. During that course of study, she did an Erasmus at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb, Croatia. Afterwards, she got a master’s degree in emergency governance at the University of Verona. 

With a professional background in EU-funded projects management, mainly in the field of the rule of law and security and with a passion for democracy and citizen participation, she joined the ALDA team to support the implementation of international projects. 

A native Italian speaker, she is proficient in English, and she speaks French at an intermediate level.

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Linda Rombolà joined the ALDA team in March 2025, as Project Designer for the EU area within the Fundraising and Project Design department at the Vicenza office.

She brings solid experience as a project designer and project manager developed since 2015, collaborating with various organizations in Italy and abroad through the design and coordination of projects with a particular focus on youth, human rights, citizenship, and sports.

Linda has extensive experience in the sector of the associations, where she has held leadership and representative roles. As a youth worker, Linda has also delivered youth training, using non-formal education methodology.

Linda has developed her skills on a strong academic background: a Master’s degree in History and Society obtained from Roma Tre University, with a focus on the European Union’s integration process and a thesis on European policies towards third countries and a Master’s in International Public Affairs obtained from LUISS Guido Carli.

Linda is a native Italian speaker, speaks English fluently and has an intermediate level of French.

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Ivana recently joined ALDA as Communication Officer at the Skopje office. She brings experience in investigative journalism, digital communications, and youth mentorship.

She is the recipient of awards for investigative journalism and short fiction, reflecting her commitment to both media integrity and literary creativity. She has also designed and led creative writing workshops for young people, fostering critical thinking and storytelling skills.

With a Bachelor’s degree in General and Comparative Literature from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Ivana combines her academic background with practical expertise in communication strategies, content creation, and media literacy. Her interests span contemporary culture, the dynamics of language, and civic participation, which she integrates into her work.

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ALDA Representative in Ukraine

Yuriy Stepanets is an experienced expert in civil society development, local democracy, and community engagement. Since 2007, he has led the Association of Ukrainian Civic Initiatives (AUCI), a national network of over 30 organizations that promotes active citizenship and local participation across Ukraine.

He cooperates with municipalities throughout the country, supporting decentralization reform and developing tools for citizen participation. Yuriy has coordinated numerous national and international projects in partnership with the Education for Democracy Foundation (Poland), GIZ, USAID, and NED, focusing on inclusive governance, dialogue facilitation, and community capacity-building.

In 2020, he founded Vereta, a social enterprise that upcycles textile waste into handmade woven products while preserving traditional Ukrainian crafts and supporting rural communities.

Since 2022, Yuriy has coordinated initiatives helping internally displaced persons and local governments adapt to wartime challenges and rebuild stronger, more resilient communities.

Since 2023, he has also been a member of the Enlargement Candidate Members Group at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

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Jacopo joined ALDA’s Secretariat in June 2025 as part of his civic service, where he supports research, policy drafting, and advocacy activities.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Milan and later obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Strasbourg.
During and after his studies, he gained diverse work experience, starting at the Feltrinelli Cultural Foundation and doing some communication consulting. He later worked in NGO advocacy at Emergency, as a content writer on geopolitics for an Italian think tank, and as a junior communication officer at the European Parliament liaison office of Rome. More recently he followed a course about Sustainability at the Chamber of Commerce of Milan.

His interest in mass media and information systems, which he developed at university, led him to co-author a book with his supervisor on news and media consumption, biases, and conspiracy theories, directed at students and teachers alike. 

Passionate about politics, history, and the environment, he enjoys learning, reading, and meaningful conversations, often while cooking.

He is a native Italian speaker, fluent in English, with intermediate proficiency in French and basic knowledge of German.

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Laura joined the ALDA office in Strasbourg in September 2025, and she is working as a Project Manager Assistant in the ASWAT department. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and a Master’s in International Studies on Media, Power and Difference, both from the Pompeu Fabra University, in Barcelona. During her bachelor’s, she did an exchange in Vancouver, Canada, at the Simon Fraser University.

She gained experience in international cooperation at Lafede.cat, the Catalan federation of NGOs, where she interned in the communications department. She also participated in an European Solidarity Corps programme in Le Mans, France, where she worked with kids and young people to promote interculturality and European mobility programmes. 

Her main areas of interest are gender equality and migration, as well as cultural diversity and geopolitics. She is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English and French, and she knows a bit of Arabic.

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Ambrogio Carugo joined ALDA in June 2025 as a Project Designer Assistant.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Milan, where he focused his studies on the Sociology of Organised Crime. He subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Affairs at the University of Bologna, Forlì Campus, concentrating on Human Trafficking and Organised Crime, and on how the regional order established in South East Asia addresses these issues.
As part of his academic journey, he undertook a curricular internship at the Prefecture of Forlì-Cesena within the Territorial Commission for the Recognition of International Protection. He also completed a postgraduate specialisation course at the University of Milan, deepening his knowledge of international scenarios related to organised crime. In addition, during these years he volunteered with the Europe Direct Centre at the University of Bologna, taking part in various programmes and eventually becoming a trainer on European affairs.

Following graduation, Ambrogio worked as a Graduate Research Fellow and Project Assistant
at the University of Bologna. In this role, he managed two EU-funded projects: a Jean Monnet initiative aimed at creating a network of teachers engaged in European affairs, and EYE-Forlì 2024, a European Parliament initiative and the first Local European Youth Event held in Italy. As a Graduate Research Fellow, he had the opportunity to analyse trends in European citizenship, coordinate academic initiatives, and contribute to research on civic engagement and education policies. Alongside this work, he collaborated with several youth organisations in Italy.

Ambrogio is a native Italian speaker, fluent in English, with basic proficiency in French.

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Berta Stojkovska is Project Designer part of ALDA’s Programmes and Development team based in the Skopje office (North Macedonia), where she designs and develops initiatives that strengthen governance, local democracy and inclusive community development across the Western Balkans. With an academic background in Political Science, International Relations and Diplomacy, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on project experience.

Passionate about putting citizens at the heart of decision-making, Berta has worked with international organisations such as OSCE, Center for European Perspective, and the American Councils for International Education, gaining valuable insight into the power of intercultural collaboration and resilient democratic societies. She is an alumni of the YES Program, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, and has contributed to numerous projects advancing international cultural cooperation.

Her professional background includes project coordination, policy research, and public diplomacy, with a growing focus on cross-border initiatives that bridge institutional frameworks with local community needs. She thrives in spaces where diplomacy meets everyday life, and where collaboration can turn ideas into lasting change.

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Goran Gerasimovski is member of the Governing Board of ALDA representing the Municipality of Centar, in Skopje, where he also serves as Mayor.

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Elisabetta joined ALDA in July 2024 through the Universal Civil Service programme, and she is now part of the team in Vicenza as a Project Designer.

She holds a Master’s degree in European and International Studies from the University of Trento, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Parma. Additionally, she completed an Executive Master in Leadership for International Relations and Made in Italy at the Italy USA Foundation.

Before joining ALDA, Elisabetta collaborated with a local newspaper in Italy and volunteered for a Romanian NGO, contributing to projects focused on lenity and digital skills.

Her main fields of interest include political communication, gender studies, and migration.