Youth engagement and participation

My name is Ariella and I am the Capacity4dev Coordinator and Business Manager.

Within the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) I am responsible for knowledge management and communication in Unit D4 - Quality and Results, Evaluation, Knowledge Management.

My previous professional experiences with the European Parliament, UNCTAD and civil society organisations focused on management of projects and events in the field of social policies, culture, youth and development education.

Don't hesitate to contact me for feedback, ideas and collaboration opportunities for Capacity4dev!

Created in 2016, CCIF Cyprus supports education and research for social inclusion of all citizens, including youth with fewer opportunities, disabilities and immigrants. Our purpose is to provide an enabling space to people from inauspicious environments and equip them with necessary digital skills to access today’s labour market, while increasing their chances at an equal treatment. At CCIF Cyprus, we try to fuel the dialogue between local communities to address the different fears many have, as we deem it a necessary step to build an inclusive and peaceful society. We have made it our goal to help communities understand that despite the difference in the manifested speech one might hold, the underlying values and feelings are not only equally valid, but also very often the same, in an attempt to connect groups with – and help them relate to – each other.

We are heavily involved in the integration process of immigrants in Pafos, offering them several times a week Greek, English, computer literacy classes, as well as drama classes and sport, so that they can develop their skills and capacity of expression. CCIF Cyprus helped immigrants and refugees learn languages to be better positioned not only to find work, but also to better communicate with their Cypriot counterparts for which sometimes different or foreign can seem rather threatening.

Currently, I am working at the Coordination of the Practitioners' Network for European Development Cooperation. Before that, I worked as an EU Strategy Officer for FIIAPP (a Spanish development agency with a focus on technical cooperation) at the Brussels office and developing the Practitioners’ Network co-Presidency. Young professional with experience in international public administration, Latin America-EU development cooperation, youth and civic engagement, and peacebuilding. Cross-cultural education, team-oriented, communicative, and proactive professional. I am part of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations as a Fellow 2019, focusing on: “The Role of Women in Peacemaking and Conflict Prevention” (MENA region intercultural exchange fellowship). Master's in Diplomacy and International Relations at the Diplomatic School in 2019.

I am a Sustainable Development Practitioner with a diverse expanse of interests and subsequent expertise, which are founded on a keen understanding and appreciation for the significance attributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).