Giulia d’Agostino joined the ALDA and ALDA+ team in May 2024 as a Project Designer.

She graduated in International Development and Cooperation from the University of Bologna and holds a master’s degree in Project Cycle Management for International Cooperation.

From a young age, Giulia has been driven by a strong sense of social justice and a passion for making a positive impact, participating in numerous volunteer missions in Africa. During these experiences, she took part in various projects aimed at improving living conditions, healthcare, and education in local communities. These experiences not only deepened her understanding of global development issues but also fueled her dedication to creating sustainable change through grassroots initiatives.

Additionally, Giulia spent six months in Ireland, immersing herself in a different culture and further broadening her horizons. She is a native Italian speaker and is fluent in English.

Expert Trainer and Head of the Programmes and Development Department

Anna has been working for ALDA+ since 2017 and for ALDA since 2011. Within the Programmes and Development Department, she is responsible for developing projects funded by the EU, the Council of Europe, the UN, and other public and private donors, promoting themes such as democracy, human rights, social inclusion, active citizenship, youth, good local governance, and decentralised cooperation. Her role includes partner research, project and budget drafting, collection of administrative documents, and coordination with partners and stakeholders.

She is also responsible for developing, managing, and delivering training courses for local authorities and civil society organisations on topics such as project cycle management, EU funds and programmes, and methods for engaging citizens in community life. Anna is actively involved in school-based training (from primary to high school) on EU-related topics and values, participatory democracy for CSOs and local authorities, and facilitation and coaching to improve NGOs’ internal governance. Her training methodology relies on non-formal education tools, such as interactive lectures, group dynamics, World Café, Open Space Technology, and more.

Anna’s key training references include the Code of Good Practice for Civil Participation in the Decision-Making Process, the Citizen Tool by Bosh Alumni Network, and the Democratic Practices of the Kettering Foundation.

Her areas of focus include the EU, the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus, and North Africa. She is also responsible for developing projects in the Middle East and Africa, with a focus on decentralisation, local democracy, and the economic and social empowerment of women.

Project Designer

Alessandra holds a master’s degree in International Sciences from the University of Turin, after earning a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Trento. With a long-standing passion for social issues, she participated in the International Civil Service in Colombia, working on an educational farm. She later served as a Junior Project Manager for a healthcare company based in Rome, supporting the implementation of projects at regional, national, and European levels.

Alessandra joined the Development Department of ALDA and ALDA+ as a Project Designer, focusing on topics such as good governance, human rights, active citizenship, and sustainable development. She is fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish.

Project Designer

Lizzy works in the Programmes and Development Department of ALDA and ALDA+ as a project developer for initiatives funded by the European Union and other public and private donors. Her focus spans key areas such as good governance, human rights, social inclusion, active citizenship, youth, the environment, and sustainable development. She is primarily involved in drafting projects funded through indirect funds, including those provided by the Italian government and regional administrations.

Over the past five years, Lizzy has gained solid experience in writing and managing projects for small and medium-sized Italian enterprises. She holds a master’s degree in Oriental Languages, with a particular focus on ancient languages like Sanskrit. Lizzy is fluent in Italian and English and has basic knowledge of Hindi and French.

Project Designer

Silvia Anselmi joined ALDA+ in September 2024 as a Project Developer. She holds a degree in Languages for International Relations and a master’s degree in Comparative International Relations, with a focus on Eastern Europe. Throughout her academic journey, she developed a strong passion for European Union policies, particularly those related to environmental sustainability.

Before joining ALDA+, Silvia managed international students coming to Italy for study periods, providing support and mediation. As part of the Erasmus+ Internship programme, she spent time in Bucharest, Romania, working on the drafting and management of European projects, with a focus on topics such as sustainable fashion and the circular economy. She also served as a project and communication assistant in Florence, where she focused on the bioenergy sector.

Silvia has also developed a passion for event organisation, collaborating on scientific conferences in Florence and managing cultural events and exhibitions in Venice at the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland, where she worked as an Event Assistant.

A native Italian speaker, Silvia is fluent in English, has a good command of French, and speaks intermediate-level Russian. She also has basic knowledge of German.