Executive director
Bruno António graduated in Social Education at the University of the Algarve in Faro, Portugal. During his educational path, he lived abroad, namely in Brazil, India and Scotland. For the past 12 years, Bruno has been actively engaging in international youth work, working as an expert and external consultant for several institutions, such as the European Commission and the Council of Europe. He previously took office as Secretary General of Youth for Exchange and Understanding, as well as Executive Director at ECOS – Cooperativa de Educação, Cooperação e Desenvolvimento.
Deputy director
Aleksandra, originally from Serbia, has a background in school student activism. She was a Board member of OBESSU (Organising Bureau of School Student Unions), as well as a member of the Working group on Participation and Youth policy mainstreaming and Expert group on youth rights of the European Youth Forum. She was a trainer on UNICEF’s project for creating Local Youth Action Plans in Serbia. Aleksandra worked as a project manager for several organisations in Serbia and Portugal before joining DYPALL Network. She has a political science and journalism degree from the University of Belgrade.
Project manager
Jacques has been deeply involved in volunteering and association work from a young age. During his university years, he took the lead in organizing events aimed at enhancing student development and societal participation. His thesis in Mozambique used the Participatory Rural Appraisal method, laying a solid foundation for his research skills. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, Jacques continued to build his project management expertise while maintaining a strong commitment to volunteer work with local NGOs. He researched youth and migrant issues for the Council of Europe before joining DYPALL Network.
Mafalda has had a very rich and diverse career path. After her first degree, she dedicated herself to coordinating scientific research projects but soon decided to embrace new areas of work. She dedicated herself to starting her own company, having furthered her experience in project management and implementation even further. She has also collaborated with an international NGO, implementing new work methodologies and was involved in the organisation of large national and international events, as a team coordinator. At DYPALL Network she is mainly involved in creating intellectual content and managing national projects.
Marija, from North Macedonia, has been active in the youth sector since 2010, focusing on non-formal education, advocating for youth in decision-making, and supporting inclusive policies. She was the President of the National Youth Council of Macedonia. Marija has a master’s degree in law from the University of Skopje, and she was a scholarship holder at the Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia University in New York. She also works as a trainer, facilitator and consultant in the areas of youth participation, human rights, intercultural learning, advocacy, hate speech and hate crimes.
ESC Project manager
Marta Monteiro has a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Algarve and she is passionate about sustainability and its integration into youth engagement. She worked at ECOS – Cooperativa de Educação, Cooperação e Desenvolvimento, helping to carry out several projects, where she played a pivotal role in executing numerous impactful projects. She manages all aspects of ESC initiatives, ensuring their success and alignment with the network’s mission to foster youth participation and cooperation across Europe.
Project officer
Emma has a bachelor’s degree in International Science, Development, and Cooperation, and she recently took her master’s degree in Political and Public Communication at the University of Turin. In Italy, she had the chance to work with some local associations for young people with the aim of creating new businesses. Her will to discover new cultures and broaden her mind brought her to DYPALL Network, where now she integrated the core team after completing her ESC volunteering project in the communication team.
Susana has a degree in Psychology from UALG – University of Algarve. While studying, she was one of the founding members of NEPSI (association of psychology students) in Faro. After graduation, she worked at schools and youth-related institutions, deeply engaging in educational contexts. She’s been integral to a study centre for eight years, aiding students aged 6-18, blending her psychology background with academic support to foster young minds’ growth and resilience. Her journey exemplifies a deep commitment to empowering young people, which is why she supports implementing a local youth programme in Portimão.
Project Assistant
With a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Human Rights and follow-up studies in International Politics and Economics at the University of Bologna, Samantha is currently writing her master’s thesis on Sustainability and the ESG criteria. She has several experiences working with youth as a summer camp animator, coordinator and dance teacher. Her previous experience as a journalist for a local non-profit newspaper allowed her to collaborate with young political and social activists in the fields of political engagement, international economics and women’s rights.
Tomás successfully completed a double master’s in Development and International Relations from Aalborg University and China and International Relations from the University of International Relations in Beijing. Throughout his academic journey, he actively embraced the opportunities offered by the EU for young people, participating in the Erasmus program in Istanbul during his bachelor’s and a three-week European Solidarity Corps project in Hungary. Passionate about development, cooperation, and discovering new cultures, Tomás’s academic journey and international experiences reflect his strong commitment to making a positive global impact.
Administrative officer
Maria graduated in business management at Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes. After her graduation, she did an internship in accounting for 9 months. She is very passionate about her job and about learning new things, to grow as a person and professionally. Now she’s working at DYPALL Network, as an administrative officer, helping to manage the internal processes.
Image & Communication officer
Antonio, who graduated with a degree in Design & Communication from Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes (ISMAT), has blended his dual passions for technology and art into a career in the digital design field. His affection for design processes and strategy shines through his work, enabling him to create compelling visual narratives that resonate with the organization’s projects. At DYPALL Network, António plays a crucial role in developing the visual graphics and communication materials that define the organization’s message, using design to enhance communication and engagement.
ESC Volunteer
Anna graduated with a degree in International Communication and Media from HU University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht, The Netherlands. She is Bulgarian and has worked in Sofia for the past four years in communication and marketing roles, mostly in the educational sector. She has experience in organizing events, working with volunteers and facilitating workshops, and is passionate about storytelling and video making. In the last two years, she has participated in numerous short-term Erasmus+ projects where her appreciation for non-formal education and purposeful living grew. She is currently doing her ESC volunteering in DYPALL Network’s Portimão office, supporting the communication team.
Raluca, from Romania, has been active in volunteering activities since 2017 in the local community. With a degree in International Relations and European Studies and an internship at the International Institute of Administrative Sciences followed by volunteering at two youth associations, she has experience in international communication, event organization, administrative support, and youth engagement. She is currently doing her ESC volunteering in DYPALL Network’s Portimão office, supporting in the project management area.
Steering group member
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, with a professional background and master’s degree in Sports and Education, is currently an Educator, trainer, facilitator and mentor in non-formal learning experiences, with a great passion for immersive experiences (particularly in simulation, role-play, and game-based learning). With around 8 years of experience working with young people in non-formal education settings and in sports, and focusing on topics such as human rights education, sustainable development, youth participation and youth empowerment.
Andrea studies Political Science and International Relations at ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome. Being already an Erasmus+ | ESC Mobility Ambassador for the Italian National Youth Agency and a member of the EuroPeers Network, he participated in more than a dozen experiences, projects, exchanges, transnational activities, and youth partnerships abroad. He works for “Europiamo ETS” as a Project Officer, and he is involved in empowering youth and creating a sense of European citizenship through the promotion of mobility opportunities and through youth participation in civil society. He is also a Young European Ambassador for EU Neighbours East and he had the chance to work as a Public Affairs Intern in the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy. In 2024, he was designated Youth Delegate of the Global Youth Leaders Program for the G7 Italian Presidency and ONE Campaign Ambassador for the 2024-2026 mandate.
Bilal is a researcher and policy analyst based in France. He worked as a member of the Parisian Youth Council and represented the 10th district in Paris. Born and raised in the Kurdish region of Turkey. He has developed a strong understanding of how to address the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. He curated several political, cultural and artistic exhibitions and administrated the Kurdish edition of Le Monde Diplomatique for 4 years. He has worked with various NGOs, political entities, and activist groups, bringing valuable insights from his experiences in youth work and policy advocacy.
Dimitris is a PhD candidate in Youth Studies and Cultural Industries at Panteion University, and holds a Master’s in Cultural Management and Digital Marketing & New Media. His mixed methods research (qualitative and quantitative) focuses on the impact of collaborative spaces on the youth of peripheral areas of Europe. He has a diverse academic and professional career spanning roles in social research, branding, community & coworking management, and education. He is an active member of the COST Action 18214 research programme on New Working Spaces and has participated in many Erasmus+ projects focusing on Youth employability and engagement. He collaborates with Rural Radicals, a startup initiative on the development of non-urban creative spaces across Europe. He is part of the REMAKING Horizon Project, which focuses on remote working policies and their impact on the territory. He is collaborating with the European Coworking Assembly on the RESMOVE Project, focused on the integration of migrants through coworking spaces.
João is a 20-year-old youngster from Portugal, deeply involved in fostering youngsters’ political participation and representation, both at the local, national, and European level, having been involved in Erasmus+ CERV, and other EU funded programs, both as a participant, trainer, and coordinator. He studies political science at the university, but he is also very active in non-formal education opportunities. These experiences deeply aligned him with the EU values, provided him with experience in EU Policy, especially in the Youth Field. Joao has also been involved in the EU Youth Dialogue at a national level, as a facilitator for the National Youth Council, granting him a unique insight into the representation of the interests and needs of youth, which better allows him to contribute to the aim of the Portuguese dialogue on this matter.
Safaa is a passionate 18-year-old activist. In her daily life, most of her time is dedicated to her education as a high school student, but she spends her free time with the ambition to change the world. She is active at organisations such as Amnesty International The Netherlands, the Dutch National Youth Council (NJR) and is a proud advocate for women’s rights. Furthermore, she underlines the importance of youth voices being involved in policy by occupying roles such as a Junior Municipality coach at Democracy Reloading, a Regional Coordinator of youth participation and a Youth Ambassador.
Centar E8
Centar E8 is a youth organization focused on working with young people across Serbia. Through innovative campaigns, the use of social media, and diverse work methodologies, we educate youth on topics such as media literacy, gender equality, violence prevention, and the importance of active political participation in society.
Belgrade, Serbia
INEDNET (Information and Education Development Network)
Information and Education Development Network is an information-consulting organization, which acts as a network of media makers, non-formal educators and youth workers. The organization aims to: Empower young people through quality non-formal education. Enable media makers to update competencies on fair content production. Enhance the development of youth work, and provide equal access to it.
Yerevan, Armenia
YEPP Italia
YEPP Italia was founded in 2011 as an evolution of the international YEPP program. Key words of the YEPP methodology are participation, active citizenship, learning, advocacy, decision making power, community. Main concept is youth empowerment at the individual, social and community level. In 50 municipalities 5 Italian regions groups of young people, aged between 15 and 29, are experiencing participation processes in urban neighbourhoods, small towns, rural villages
Torino, Italy
Helix – Social Innovation Hub
Helix – Social Innovation Hub is an informal educational organisation dedicated to empowering young adults and fostering social transformation. Serving as a dynamic community, we bridge organisations, technology, research, innovators, and ideas to co-create impactful solutions for complex social challenges. Our mission is to empower young adults through innovative methods, an entrepreneurial mindset, and self-development tools, fostering socially balanced, sustainable growth.
Karditsa, Greece
Kipriakos Organismos Kentron Neotitas – Cyprus Youth Clubs Organisation
Cyprus Youth Clubs Organization (KOKEN) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering youth across Cyprus. As the coordinating body for 65 clubs with 3,500 members from urban and rural areas, KOKEN aims to improve their quality of life through regional, national, and international activities. Focused on social inclusion and education, KOKEN promotes civic engagement, well-being, digital skills, and employability, offering programs in culture, sports, human rights, and volunteerism.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Munícipio de Portimão
Munícipio de Portimão – Órgão de Administração Pública Local que integra a Divisão de Desporto e Juventude, Unidade Orgânica com responsabilidade nas Politicas de Juventude
Portimão, Portugal
Dracon Rules Design Studio
Dracon RDS is a non-profit organization based in Karditsa, Greece, dedicated to promoting the use of board games as tools for education and social inclusion. We specialize in designing educational games and innovative learning methods to foster collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Through local and international projects, including EU-funded initiatives, we aim to empower communities and create impactful learning experiences in areas such as sustainability and social equity.
Sosyal İklim Derneği – Social Climate Association
Since its establishment in 2014, Sosyal İklim Derneği – Social Climate Association has been actively working on the development of a culture of dialogue among young people, the rights and participation of children and young people, climate action and justice. Social Climate team operates with 9 young professionals, 20 young board members and actively collaborates with approximately 7000 young volunteers in 10 different cities
İzmir, Türkiye
Democracy and Law Youth Association
The Democracy and Law Youth Association (DLYA), founded in 2019, promotes democratic values and social justice while engaging youth. We include young people with fewer opportunities and enhance their skills through Erasmus+ projects, training, and national solidarity projects. DLYA’s mission supports Turkish and European youth in areas like democracy, citizenship, gender equality, and climate, fostering creativity, intercultural interaction, and understanding of the EU.
Ankara, Türkiye
Asociatia Nuclee
Founded in 2023, Asociatia Nuclee is a non-profit organisation based in Caracal,Romania, committed to combating the region’s depopulation trend by creating opportunities for young people to build their futures within their communities. Focused on participation, cultural expression, research, and innovation in the fields of: climate action, economic growth, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, we foster intergenerational collaboration, driving sustainable progress and a thriving society.
Caracal, Romania
Iveta Balcune
Non-formal learning activities for youth and adult people of different social backgrounds, social integration through non-formal educational activities (culture, art, outdoor and other participatory activities), improving life quality in rural areas, involving in culture projects (music, arts, theatre, dance, exhibitions etc.) through cooperation with culture estate luznavasmuiza.lv.
Rezekne, Latvia
Detska organizacia FENIX, o.z.
We are NGO whose goal is to support children and youth in spending their leisure time actively. We concentrate on using the methods of non-formal education.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Migrafrica
Migrafrica is an organisation founded by young African migrants who are empowering young fellow African migrants in Germany. Our main goal is to enhance the social, economical and political participation and integration. We support faster integration and mobilizion of resources to improve lives, build capacities and skills and develop networks between young Africans living in Germany/Europe and bridge the gap between Africa and Europe.
Cologne, Germany
La Bastida Participació SCCL
We are a non profit cooperative working on youth policies, who provides assessment to municipalities and their youth workers and creates and develops participation processes together with local public administrations or other entities. We believe in participation both as the main goal and key tool in the empowerment processes of people, especially youth, for the social transformation in their context.
Santa Coloma de Queralt, Spain
Asociación Las Niñas del Tul
Las Niñas del Tul is a non-profit association carrying out activities in the province of Granada since 2004. The main goal is to promote participation as a tool for both personal and community developments. It is characterized by its extensive experience in working with young people, using the methodology of non-formal education. Inclusion is an inherent part of our mission, ensuring that everybody have opportunities to participate regardless of their circumstances and needs.
Granada, Spain
University of Coimbra Institute for Legal Research
UCILeR’s understands that Law can make a transversal contribution, being essential for social cohesion and coexistence between people, as well as for the construction of normative frameworks that fairly pursue sustainable development. UCILeR’s research proposal is based on reflecting on contemporary problems and the ways in which they can be legally resolved, either in the light of current law or through the necessary changes to its current framework. The UCILeR’s work reflects this vision.
Coimbra, Portugal
Pi Youth Association
Pi Youth Association (PIYA) was established in 2014 in Türkiye with the aim of helping young people develop knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes. Our local activities organizes focus on encouraging the personal development of youth. PIYA has consistently maintained a strong focus on national activities related to youth rights and issues. Lastly, PIYA actively participates in international youth development by engaging in Erasmus+ and volunteering abroad through ESC both funded by the EU.
Izmir, Türkiye
BASHKIA FUSHE-ARREZ
The Municipality of Fushe-Arrez strives to be the leader among Albanian municipalities to engage youth in policy-making and decision-making processes. Youth participation is at the core of our governance and community.
Fushe-Arrez, Albania
ProActive Group Georgia
Proactive Group Georgia is a CSO, whose mission is to support the development of a free, democratic, progressive-minded proactive society. We create learning opportunities for youth and adults through promoting civic activism, democratic youth participation, social entrepreneurship, diversity & inclusion by various NFE activities, which helps people to grow on a personal /professional level, to be more proactive citizen. We empower them by various capacity building programs for employability.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Center for Intercultural Dialogue – CID
Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) is a CSO working to promote intercultural acceptance and active citizenship through capacity building processes, education and youth work. The CID’s activity focuses on many aspects which are of interest for young people: from provision of services and information, to research and support for policy-making and networking.
Kumanovo, North Macedonia
Municipality of Kolonjë
The Municipality of Kolonjë is located in the southeastern region of Albania and has a total area of 864 km2. We currently have a total population of 17,898 inhabitants, spreading across 2 cities and 76 villages. We are primarily engaged in local governance and administration. Our main areas of focus include youth empowerment, urban planning, infrastructure development, public services, social welfare, and community engagement. Please feel free to contact us for collaborations on projects.
Ersekë, Albania
Donum Animus
Non governmental/ non profit organisation promotes social cohesion and active participation of people from vulnerable groups paying special attention to persons with disabilities in deprived communities.
Ropazu novads, Latvia
Lota’s Box
Lota’s box was founded in 2018 to promote values of democracy, active citizenship and equality. Our activities are based in three pillars: lifelong learning, sport and active citizenship
Zagreb, Croatia
Umbrella
Umbrella is a Georgian youth value-based organization that aims to educate, motivate and activate young people aged 13-30 in Georgia and beyond, in order to be empowered and develop the communities that are coming from. The mission of the organization is to support young people’s progress by creating educational initiatives to develop young people’s competence in the fields of environment, human rights and democracy. To ensure the real impact we work on local, national and international levels.
Association Centre for research and analysis NOVUS Strumica
Association CRA NOVUS is an NGO established in 2013 in Strumica, N.Macedonia, that works in the field of non-formal education, youth engagement and civic activism, promotion and strengthening of youth policies and promotion of EU values. Since 2013 NOVUS conducts research and activities aimed at the transparency of local and national authorities, as well as enabling young people with knowledge and skills to be part of the democratic processes in our country in matters that affect them.
Strumica, North Macedonia
Câmara Municipal do Fundão
Fundão as a municipality in the center of Portugal, threatened by depopulation, but with a strong and determined smart territorial innovation and youth strategy, has created an innovation ecosystem that is a reference in Portugal, attracting, IT companies, youth organizations and a serious mobility regional HUB, generating start-ups, and supporting hundreds of projects, while investing in R&D and pioneering initiatives in professional retraining and digital skills, financial literacy.
Fundão, Portugal
Europiamo ETS
Europiamo is the Italian community for the youth, youth workers, and youth organisations working together to build a more accessible, participatory, and sustainable Europe. In 2024, we have more than 100 members and over 25 youth organisations part of our network. We connect young people to growth opportunities in Europe, we curate spaces for participation and sharing, we represent the youth sector, the Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes in Italy
Roma, Italy
ORNAMENT Foundation
ORNAMENT Foundation, founded in 2020 by a group of dedicated individuals, is a non-governmental organization working closely with diverse communities, especially youth. The foundation aims to improve social inclusion methods, enhance personal and professional skills to boost youth employability, and promote volunteerism. It also focuses on encouraging healthy behaviors through sports, advocating for ecological living, and supporting non-formal education to empower young people.
Zalasowa, Poland
Habitat Association
Habitat Association is a non-governmental organization produces social capacity-building and impact-oriented projects based on strong partnerships compatible with the digitalizing world and aimed at sustainable development. Founded in 1997 by young people who came together for the Copenhagen Social Development Summit in 1995 and the United Nations Habitat II Summit in 1996, Habitat’s mission was to establish a communication bridge between the youth of the world and the youth of Turkey.
İstanbul, Türkiye
HUSKJ (Hessische Union zur Stärkung von Kinder- und Jugendinteressen)
We are the umbrella organization of youth parliaments in Hesse. Our goal is to increase the numbers of youth parliaments in Hesse in order to increase the number of youth that is represented in the local decision making process. We want to give youth a voice and strengthen democracy. Furthermore, we organise meetings for youth all over Hesse which allows them to connect with each other, enhance their personal skills and exchange solutions for common problems in the local youth parliaments.
Seligenstadt/ Hessen, Germany
Quality development for stronger democracies
Youth empowerment
Inclusive democracies
Innovating democracies