Assumptions

Hi, I’m Maria. I am a proactive and skilled problem solver working as a Design and Knowledge Management expert in Meldea (Particip). I have a BA in International Relations and an MA in International Development with a specialisation in International Migration, focusing on African politics.

Since March 2024, I have been managing user support activities on the Capacity4dev platform. I monitor the support@capacity4dev.eu mailbox daily, validate new memberships, and check community content. I engage with the different stakeholders present on Capacity4dev, providing non-technical support to users and Space Managers. I also liaise with the IT team for technical issues and analyse user support data to improve the platform.

Feel free to contact me via the support mailbox - support@capacity4dev.eu - anytime you need assistance. You can also reach out through the personal contact form or on LinkedIn.

Team Leader - EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar (EMPM)

Experienced development professional with over 20 years of success leading international donor-funded (EU, USAID, UN) programs across sectors such as tourism, ICT, agriculture, light manufacturing, and creative industries. Proven expertise in program and project management, human and institutional capacity development, stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnerships. Strong track record in advancing workforce development through strategic collaboration with universities and vocational institutions, developing and launching new certification and training programs, and building skills aligned with market needs. Skilled in SME development, export promotion, trade facilitation, and strengthening quality infrastructure and standards.

Passionate about social innovation design and policy design through the lenses of design thinking and regional/local development.

I am a programme and project manager for EU and UN funded projects in the security sector, specialised in capacity building actions, police and military training, institutional advising, with specific focus on counter-terrorism, asymmetric threats, organised crime, technology innovation and research.

I directly participated in about 60 projects over 17 years in Europe, South East Asia, MENA, Sahel, Horn of Africa regions, as project manager, team member or short term expert.
I hold a Degree in Law and Master Degrees in “Theories and Methods in criminal investigation” and in "Strategic Information and Information Security", as well as specialization courses in CBRNe intelligence, crisis management, civil-military cooperation, law enforcement.

Italian Carabinieri military officer (reserve) specialised in international cooperation, I work as Senior Expert in EU funding at Eutalia (public company), dealing with operational as well as administrative and contractual duties.
Member of the Management Board at the Observatory on Security and CBRNe Defence – OSDIFE, Italy and co-founder at Il Caffè Geopolitico, cultural association and magazine on geopolitics.