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Anna began her civic service as a Project Manager Assistant at the Migration Hub of ALDA in June 2025.

She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Pavia, where she also spent a semester at the University of Coimbra through the Erasmus+ programme. During her studies, she was actively involved in volunteering and student associations, leading youth activities and projects.

She gained experience in communication and event organisation through internships at ISPI and GLOBEC (University of Pavia). Between her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, she spent six months in Spain volunteering at a youth centre for marginalised children and refugees.

Her main interests include climate-induced displacement, social justice, and gender studies. She is a native Italian speaker, fluent in English and Spanish, with a working knowledge of French.

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Giuliana Imbalzano started working as a Project Designer Assistant at ALDA in June 2025.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages, English and Russian, and a Master’s degree in International Studies.
Before joining ALDA, she worked as an assistant researcher, and it was her passion fordeveloping projects with a strong social impact that ultimately led her to the organization.
Her fields of interest are geopolitics, migration and intersectionality.
She is a native Italian speaker, fluent in English, with a working knowledge of French, Russian and Spanish.

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Hari joined ALDA’s Brussels office in June 2025 as a Project Manager Assistant through the Universal Civil Service programme. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Azim Premji University in India and a second Master’s in International Cooperation on Human Rights and Intercultural Heritage from the University of Bologna, Italy.

Passionate about socio-political issues and youth participation, Hari has been actively involved in student politics and social movements in both India and Europe. Prior to joining ALDA, he coordinated youth education projects using non-formal learning methods.

In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, cooking Indian food, discussing global politics, and staying active through sports. Hari speaks English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi fluently, and has a basic knowledge of Italian.

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Margherita Ferri joined ALDA in June 2025 as a Project Management Assistant.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistic Mediation and Intercultural Communication, during which she studied Russian and participated in an Erasmus+ program at the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute in Moscow, Russia. She later completed a Master’s degree in Global Politics and Society, focusing on the European enlargement process, the current challenges faced by democratic states, and organized crime. As part of her academic path, she undertook a curricular internship at an Italian NGO, supporting the implementation of projects on global citizenship education.

After graduating, Margherita volunteered in Kolkata, India, assisting in women’s empowerment initiatives. Driven by her interest in post-communist regions, she then joined the United Nations Association of Bulgaria as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer for one year. There, she focused on democratic participation, youth empowerment, and migration-related issues.

Margherita is a native Italian speaker and fluent in English. She has an intermediate level of Russian and basic proficiency in both Bulgarian and French.

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Lucia Sardi joined ALDA’s Strasbourg Office in June 2025 as a Communication Assistant.

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She has a Bachelor’s in Foreign Languages and Cultures and a Master’s in International Relations, both achieved at the Università degli Studi di Genova, in Italy. Currently, she is also volunteering for MOAS, a humanitarian organisation based in Malta.

She loves writing, taking pictures and creating graphics. At the same time, she is a very curious person who enjoys learning new things everyday. For her, being a Communications Assistant means combining these 2 aspects together, which is why she really likes this field.

She is a native Italian speaker, fluent in English and French, and she has a basic level of Russian.

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Marianna is a Project Designer Assistant at the ALDA office in Strasbourg.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation from l’Orientale di Napoli, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from LUMSA University in Rome. During her Master’s studies, Marianna took part in the Erasmus+ programme at ICES University in La Roche-sur-Yon. She further developed digital skills by completing the Palestre Digitali programme, a training initiative promoted by Accenture.

Her main areas of interest include migration policy, human rights and sustainability. Indeed, she participated as a youth delegate in the BRS COPs with the CWYP, and carried out an internship at the Interministerial Committee on Human Rights (MAECI).

Marianna is also actively involved in local advocacy initiatives, particularly those promoting social inclusion and environmental awareness.

She fluently speaks Italian, English and French.

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Elena works as Membership Officer within the Secretariat and she is based in the Vicenza office.

She joined ALDA in March 2025 as an Executive Assistant. Elena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations and a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Multilevel Governance. Additionally, she has completed a Prince2 Foundation Course in Project Management. 

During her academic journey, she undertook a curricular internship at CUAMM – Doctors with Africa, where she gained hands-on experience in administrative processes and project development. 

She is passionate about environmental sustainability, gender equality and international cooperation, which she refined during her volunteer work with a foundation in Kolkata India, where she helped support street children and women in need. 

These experiences reinforced her dedication to human rights protection and deepened her understanding of global issues, motivating her to further pursue her career in these fields. 

She is a native Italian speaker and fluent in English, but also has an intermediate level of Spanish and basic knowledge of German and French.  

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Maria Vittoria Traforti is a dedicated and enthusiastic professional with a strong academic background and a passion for democracy, human rights, gender equality, and international cooperation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from University of Trento and a Master’s in European Studies from KU Leuven University, where she specialised in EU foreign policy and relations with the EU’s Southern neighbors.

Maria Vittoria’s international experience includes an Erasmus+ exchange at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, where she is one of the founding members of the European Union Society, and a year as an exchange student in the USA with the American Field Service. She has actively contributed to youth participation in democratic processes through volunteering and activism, including involvement with organisations such as JEF Italy, ARCI Brussels, and Amnesty International’s Human Rights Academy.

In January 2024, Maria Vittoria joined ALDA as a Project Manager Assistant, supporting the International School of Local Democracy and Marco Boaria’s team. Fluent in Italian and English, with proficiency in Spanish, she thrives in multicultural environments and is committed to fostering participatory governance and active citizenship.

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Rebecca has been a Project Manager and part of ALDA’s Territorial and Local Development Hub since January 2025.

After obtaining a Master’s degree in International Politics and Economic Relations from the University of Macerata (UniMc) and a Master in Social Sciences from the Scuola di Studi Superiore Giacomo Leopardi, she gained several working experiences in the field of European projects, mainly in the coordination of public and private stakeholders and in the identification of complementary synergies between public and private institutions, universities, professional associations and financial institutions. 

She worked as researcher for the Marche Region and for Save The Children.

She has worked as Project Manager Assistant at the UniMc Grant Office and at the European Policies Office of the Municipality of Macerata, where she dealt respectively with European policies and programmes for research and innovation and with projects for local development in the fields of digital, culture and youth participation, supporting Horizon, Erasmus, ERDF and ESF projects. She has participated in several European and international projects and worked in Brussels for the European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH), specialising in science policy and advocacy. Thanks to her collaboration with Disamis srl, she also acquired expertise in project evaluation in the context of the Partnership for Sustainable Cities programme.

In 2024 she completed her PhD in Applied Economics at UniMc, with an applied research project on integrated governance for local development in the Twin Transition era.

A passionate activist, she has developed her interest in local development serving different types of associations for which she has always been active, maintaining strong ties of civic commitment, firmly believing that local territories and the people who inhabit them are the real engines of possible and global change.

Multifaceted and curious, she loves to explore and learn, especially through encounters with others, fascinated by the power of human relationships. She loves creating bonds, triggering relational processes and developing networks of positive synergies.

She loves to travel, dance, eat well, play sports and be in nature. Her passions include hiking, scuba diving and reading.

A native Italian speaker, she is fluent in English and Spanish and has a practical knowledge of French, which she continues to study.

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Marzia is an expert in project management, with over ten years of experience managing international projects, particularly focusing on issues related to gender equality, inclusion and social innovation. With a background in economics, Marzia later developed a strong interest in global and social issues and pursued a Master’s in Global Economics and Social Affairs at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice. More recently, she became passionate about meditation and is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Contemplative Studies at the University of Padua.

At ALDA, she holds the position of Project Management Quality and Technical Lead, bringing a wealth of experience not only in project management but also in research, as well as in the development and implementation of training programs, and the creation and management of collaborative and co-creation processes. She has also developed strong expertise in financial management for projects, with particular experience in Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and Erasmus+.

Marzia is actively involved in social work: for six years, she served as president of a local association in Padua and teaches Italian to migrants. In her free time, she enjoys trekking in the mountains, reading, diving, and taking part in meditation retreats.

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Alice is a Project Manager in the Environment & Climate Hub at ALDA, based in the Vicenza office.

She holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages and Civilisations, with a focus on Anglo-American and Ispano-American studies, both obtained from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Her Master’s thesis explored the right to water in the context of the global water crisis and climate change, reflecting her strong interest in environmental and societal challenges.

She has gained valuable experience in managing and implementing Erasmus+ programs, where she served as both a trainer and coordinator. Her work focused on fostering community participation and raising awareness about environmental protection, waste reduction, and sustainable development. These projects have taken her to Greece, Malta, Hungary, and beyond, where she collaborated with diverse communities and stakeholders to promote lasting impact.

She is also actively involved in civic engagement as a volunteer in a civic list dedicated to community participation and local development, contributing to proposals that enhance the well-being of the community and its environment.

A native Italian speaker, Alice is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and has a basic knowledge of French, developed through her academic studies and international experiences.

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Francesco Zarzana is member of the Governing Board of ALDA, representing the Association “Progettarte”, member of ALDA since 2009.

Mr Zarzana is a writer, playwright, and director; he was born in Palermo and is currently based in Modena, Italy. He is the founder and curator of the Buk Literary Festival in Modena and the Buk Film Festival. He has authored eleven books, one of which was published in France.

In the theater, he has directed seven plays and written ten scripts, one of which is in French. In cinema, he has written and directed three feature films, one of which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, as well as two short films. His works address themes such as human rights, gender equality, and migration.

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Viktorija has joined the ALDA team as Project Manager in the Skopje office.

Her journey is marked by a prominent activist career which ultimately resulted in a diverse professional experience. Her professional background combines practical expertise and academic rigor, notably serving as a Student Ombudsman and Project Coordinator for an NGO focused on educational reforms. She has also collaborated with prestigious organizations like UNESCO and the Ministry of Local Self Government in North Macedonia. Her profound interests include: culture, activism, civic participation and education.

She is an English major and is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies in Linguistics.

Known for her ability to bring ideas to life, she is an advocate for lifelong learning and social impact, always eager to challenge the status quo and inspire others to do the same.

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Vadym Boichenko is Observing member of the ALDA Governing Board.

He is Head of the Section for the Development of De-Occupied and Temporarily Occupied Municipalities of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), and Mayor of Mariupol.
In 2015 Vadym Boichenko was elected as Mayor of Mariupol.
In 2020, was re-elected for the second term and his party “Block of Vadym Boichenko” won the largest number of votes in the local council.
During his time in office, Mariupol became one of the most rapidly growing cities in Ukraine.
After the outbreak of the full-scale war and the occupation of the city, Vadym Boichenko organised the work of the Mariupol City Council in evacuation.
Currently, Mayor and the Mariupol City Council are focusing their efforts on supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and evacuated residents of the city.
During the war, at the initiative of Vadym Boichenko, the first social housing for Mariupol residents in Ukraine and the IMariupol support network for displaced persons were created. The IMariupol initiative operates in 21 cities across Ukraine, has 35 support centres and continues to grow.
One of the main areas of Vadym Boichenko’s efforts is planning the reconstruction of the city. Mariupol was the first to start developing the “Mariupol Reborn” city revival plan – the largest city reconstruction plan since the Second World War. The city shares the developed concept and experience with other municipalities that suffered from russian aggression and need to be restored.
As a Head of the Section for the development of de-occupied and temporarily occupied municipalities of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Vadym Boichenko, together with mayors of frontline and temporarily occupied municipalities in Ukraine, develops joint projects, measures and proposals aimed to support the residents of the hot-spot territories by ensuring the continuous provision of vital services. The Section is also working on developing plans for the recovery of the frontline municipalities after the end of hostilities.

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Maria Eugènia Gay Rosell is member of the Governing Board, representing Barcelona Provincial Council, member of ALDA since February 2024.

Within the Barcelona Provincial County she holds the following positions:

  • Sixth Vice-President
  • Deputy Delegate for International Relations and Agenda 2030
  • Member of the Governing Board and the Executive Committee

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Silvia started as Project Manager for ALDA Italia in October 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Mediation and a Master’s degree in European and International Studies that she obtained at the University of Trento.

She is passionate about human rights issues, multiculturalism and international dialogue, and she loves travelling. Following these interests, she has spent a considerable amount of time abroad in four different countries beside Italy, where she was born: Russia, Belgium, England and Hungary, either to study or to work. In Budapest she worked as an intern for the Italian Embassy, and this experience made her interest for diplomacy grow, while it was in Russia where Silvia discovered her deepest passion: culture, history and politics of Eastern Europe and Russia.

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

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Silvia Anselmi joined ALDA+ in September 2024 as a Project Designer.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Languages for International Relations and a master’s degree in Comparative
International Relations with a focus on Eastern Europe. During her academic journey, she became
passionate about EU policies, especially concerning the environment and sustainability.

Before coming to ALDA, she was involved in managing international students who came to Italy for
a period of study, mediating and providing support. Within the Erasmus+ Internship framework, she
spent some time in Bucharest, Romania, where she was involved in writing and managing
European projects, with a strong focus on sustainable fashion and the circular economy. Sticking
with sustainability, she worked as a Project and Communication Assistant in Florence, Italy, where
she mainly dealt with the bioenergy field. At the same time, she developed a passion for organizing
events both in Florence, where she helped in the organization of scientific conferences, and in
Venice, at the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland, where she did an internship as an Event
Assistant, dealing with the organization and management of cultural events and exhibits together
with the Consulate team.

She is a native Italian speaker and is fluent in English. She has a good command of French and an
intermediate level of Russian. She knows the basics of German.

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Beatrice works as a reporting officer for ALDA.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science International Relations Human Rights from the University of Padua with a thesis on gender policies in Verona and a master’s degree in Emergency Governance from the University of Verona with a thesis on third sector law and the role of NGOs in international cooperation.

Passionate about the cooperation sector, she has experience in the administrative area, after two years working with two different NGOs in Italy. She also spent a year in Bèni Mellal in Morocco through the Universal Civil Service Program, working on a project on gender-based violence prevention and taking charge of women survivors of violence.

Fluent in English and French, she is passionate about inclusive language and promoting a World that looks at the rights of all.