Senior researcher, committed to data for public value, addressing Open Data release and re-use, Data ecosystems emergence and orchestration, Digital for Development, and Data-driven innovation.
Please feel free to contact me via email or LinkedIn; I would be pleased to hear from you and explore cooperation opportunities.
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.
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
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.
