Division of labour & donor coordination

A practicing Life Coach and Psychotherapist, Octavia finds herself collaborating with individuals, corporations, initiatives and projects which wish to bring a more holistic, integrated and empowered approach to life. For more than 20 years Octavia has been involved in the sphere of personal development, facilitating self-development and self-discovery workshops across South Africa and internationally.

Facilitating the process of deep connection and exploration within the context of self and wellbeing, Octavia not only joins communities to aid enhance our call to purpose, but also advocates being an active trial participant within the process of life. With deep roots in corporate, Octavia has extensive experience developing creative project scopes and objectives, specifying deliverables, and coordinating efforts.

I am a specialist on EU’s international cooperation, with more than 13 years of experience in the field of social and democratic inclusion. I have worked in various public and private bodies, including the European Commission (DG INTPA), the Italian Government (under Prime Minister Draghi), international and civil society organisations from Latin America, Asia and the EU. My main areas of expertise include social protection and welfare policies, with a special focus on youth, as well as democratic governance.

I am a policy officer in ECDPM’s European foreign and development policy team.

I specialise in EU and international cooperation, including relations between the EU and Africa, the EU's Neighbourhood policy, its engagement with civil society, decentralised cooperation and local governance and urban development.

Before joining ECDPM, I worked as a policy and advocacy officer at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions for the PLATFORMA coalition. I also worked in two French embassies, where I coordinated exchanges of public sector expertise between France and the Republic of Moldova, and France and Poland.

I am a graduate from Sciences Po Bordeaux and hold a PhD in EU development policy from Université des Antilles et de la Guyane. I am a scientific collaborator at the Institute for European Studies of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, advisory board member of the Jean Monnet network 'PolyCIVIS'.

I am Maria Yesayan from Armenia. I am currently working in UNICEF Armenia and have experience with local youth-centered and developmental NGOs in Armenia, as well as international organizations, such as World Vision International and National Geographic. I have Bachelor's with Honor in Governance and study abroad certification in the field of Political Sciences from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. I have participated in various national and international projects covering diverse topics from diversity and inclusion to piece and security issues.

Senior Policy Specialist at Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida

EU Coordinator

Team Europe and Joint Programming Focal Point