Blending

I’m a development professional with hands-on experience in international cooperation and programme implementation, most recently through my work with the UNDP’s Tax for SDGs Initiative. I supported coordination across 17 African countries, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and contributed to aligning tax systems with the Sustainable Development Goals.

With a Master’s in Development Studies and a background in International Relations and Economics, I bring strong analytical, organisational, and intercultural skills. My personal journey —from Morocco and Ghana to Palestine, Southeast Asia, and Latin America— has shaped my strong commitment to social justice and sustainable development.

I recently completed the Introduction to EU International Partnerships course and am currently pursuing the Google Project Management Certificate. I’m actively looking for opportunities to contribute to international cooperation through meaningful roles in institutions like the European Commission or the UN system, supporting the design and implementation of impactful, results-oriented programmes — particularly in Latin America.

Independent Policy Expert: European policies | Sustainable Urban Development | SDGs | Multilevel governance | Local and Regional Governments | URBACT | Peer Learning | Knowledge exchange | Monitoring & Evaluation

Dr. Florent BLANC, Ph.D. is Director of the “Negotiators of Europe” research and training program at ESSEC Business School.
He is the consortium team leader for the implementation of the Framework Contract (HR/R1/PO/2019/024 - LOT 3) covering the conception and delivery of negotiation-related trainings and services for the European institutions. This consortium joins the teams of College of Europe and the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA).
As part of ESSEC IRENE’s negotiation training team, Florent delivers negotiation-related modules for the European Commission, public institutions in France and around the globe as well as private sector clients.
He contributed to capacity4dev activities as a member of the pool of trainers delivering Policy Dialogue and Negotiation as well as Context for Development modules under recent training contracts. For over 7 years, he also contributed to develop and adapt dedicated training modules for EUD teams (Nepal, Ivory Coast and Barbados). He also advised EUD on contractual negotiations for large infrastructure projects.

He contributed to the EU-PALOP-TL partnership by proposing a reflexion on the dialogue mechanisms and necessary capacity-building for Members of the partnership.

Florent holds a PhD from Northwestern University where he was George Lurcy scholar (Fulbright Program 2004-2005) and adjunct professor between 2006 and 2010. With a focus on national security policies and counterterrorism, Florent taught also courses in immigration policies, social changes, legal studies and journalism methodologies. From 2011 to 2016, he was West African Program manager for a French NGO where he oversaw and delivered projects on social cohesion, crisis prevention and education policy reform, with a focus on Mali. Florent also holds a doctorate from SciencesPo Paris.

Sustainable development expert working in blending in Latin America

Long-term (35+ year) experience in sustainable economic development, climate change, environment in different economic sectors as an institutional development, strategic planning, capacity development, and knowledge management and communication expert in programmes and projects in Asia, Africa and Caribbean. Working in multi-disciplinary teams and for international organisations (ADB, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, UNESCO, AU-NEPAD, IFAD-BSF, UNESCO-IHE, DFID, EC-DG-DEVCO/DG-INTPA, ACP-CTA, CAREC Institute), government and research institutions, universities, NGOs, private sector and (inter)national networks in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.
In last two decades advising government institutions, international organisations and civil society organizations and networks in Asia/Pacific and Africa on institutional development, strategic and business planning, capacity development, knowledge and information management, communication, partnerships, use of ICTs, and innovation in different socio-economic sectors.
I have worked with international networks, NGOs, community-based organizations and local communities in the broader context of sustainable development with a focus on poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, life-long learning, health and education. Before 2000 specifically focused on research and management of fisheries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

For more information on my projects see: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/ruudcrul

Graduated in African Studies, Political Science and International Relations (Charles University in Prague). Experience in ESIF-funded grants (City of Prague - Managing Authority, Center for Regional Development - Intermediary Body) and financial instruments (Ministry of Finance, National Development Bank) since 2007. Currently member of the business team of the NDB with responsibility for the pillar assessment and for EU programmes in indirect management (InvestEU, EFSD+, The Ukraine Facility).

Federico Bilder has worked extensively in the finance sector across more than 25 countries in Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East in projects related to access to finance, climate finance, and digitalization. He has done so for 20+ years both as an independent consultant and as senior manager for financial institutions' networks.

He has a successful track record in the implementation of numerous technical assistance projects, access to finance and blended finance schemes, financial sector assessments as well as evaluation missions. He has also designed and co-managed a MSME Credit Guarantee Fund.

Furthermore, Federico has also worked in retail banking for a major commercial bank in German