Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Hello, Vibrant Community!

I’m Marie, and since February 2022, I’ve been steering the ship here as the Community Manager of Capacity4dev.

A wanderer at heart and by profession, my academic and work journeys have whisked me across five European nations and allowed me to dip my toes into professional adventures in seven countries globally. During my BA studies at the Metropolitan University of Prague, I carved out a little piece of history as the first student to navigate through the Erasmus+ program at the International BURCH University in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Quite a ride, I must say!

Your stories, projects, and experiences are the heartbeats of Capacity4dev, and I’m here to ensure they echo throughout our online spaces, sparking connections, inspiring projects, and fostering our growing web of international cooperation.

Feel free to drop me a line at marie.zamecnikova@meldea.eu. I’m here to chat, assist, or explore collaboration opportunities that will elevate our collective efforts on this platform.

Eagerly awaiting our shared journey ahead,

Marie

Please use my second email for contact: christinaandersson0@gmail.com

Austrian Development Agency Representative in the Practitioners Network of European Development Cooperation

I'm a dedicated programme manager that wants to make a difference for a better world.
My experiences include:
- Advisory and training services for small CSO's,
- Grantmaking and project management for small CSO's,
- Improving; housing safety, energy preservation, health conditions in households,
- Introducing quality management in public services,
- Auditing sustainable development in local authorities,
- Developing sustainable development strategies for local authorities,
- Developing environmental information service centres,
- Environmental-friendly methods for flood prevention.

Johan van Geijn has a unique track record as a specialist in international corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the world of sports, particularly in football and international development cooperation. With more than 25 years of experience – heading the international programs at the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) since 1998 to build local capacity through football in developing countries and low-income countries. More than 20,000 young volunteer coaches have been able to improve themselves in their local environment through programs developed by Johan.
As founder of the WorldCoaches program, Johan has proven many times how sport can serve as a means for social development. Using football as a catalyst for social cohesion, for the position of girls and women in society, for awareness of communicable diseases, drugs and addictions or clean water.
With the international challenges surrounding migration and refugees, using football as an initiator for programs to tackle youth unemployment in these countries. A range of thematic social challenges where Johan has been able to let football contribute to the approach and often to the solution.

Head of Operations at the Vienna-based Innovation in Politics Institute and CEO of the European Capital of Democracy NPO. Work experience in the non-profit, start-up, business and political field. Leadership skills in managing mixed and networked teams with a focus on developing disruptive products and growing innovative organisations.