PET Members

Co-coordinators

Valbona

Dragana

Senior Trainers

Berat Ezel

Turkiye

Adel AlBaghdadi

Netherlands

Srđan Petković

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Renata Penchova

North Macedonia

Junior Trainers

Ivana Stojchevska

North Macedonia

Alessandra Grisoni

Tunisia/Italy

Facilitator

Raziya Dadashzade

Facilitator

I am Raziya Dadashzade, I am 22 years old, I live in Baku.
Since my student years, I have been interested in the field of youth work and discovered myself in this field. I love working with young people, having discussions with them, teaching and learning.
Learning new knowledge, traveling, getting to know new people and their experiences gives me invaluable motivation.

Nikolina Bjeković

Facilitator

Student of mechanical engineering, youth activist and youth worker from Serbia.
Finds joy and motivation in nature, mountains and camping.
Believes that change starts with youth!

Ivana Stojchevska

Junior Trainer

Most of us would say that we are the result of a lifetime’s worth of experiences, both good and bad. Many of us might point to our formative years – adolescence or childhood – in having the most influence on shaping our life’s journey, but what am I today is the result of my own opinion and believe in myself, starting as a language teacher for EVS and then continuing working as a project assistant, certified youth worker, becoming part of the executive board of the organization, becoming member of governing board at Union for Youth Work. I have been working in this sector for almost six years, and I have facilitated different events, workshops, group discussions, trainings, etc. What motivates me the most is working with young people from different ethnicities and backgrounds, mentoring and coaching them, learning new things, doing something for better communities, better involvement of young people. I can say that I am good at coming up with creative ideas to improve something, or make something new, working well as part of a team, finding a way to solve a problem, or overcome a challenge.

Eliana Calixto

Senior Trainer

I’m an Educational Psychologist with training and experience as youth worker. With a post-degree in Psychological Coaching, a youth worker certification, a trainer certification, an Equality trainers course and several other training courses I like to invest on my knowledge, and now I’m doing a specialization on LGBTQI+ topics. Nowadays I’m the Project Manager of Sê Mais Sê Melhor and I’ve worked with disadvantaged youth, was volunteer in several projects with youth and on several communities.

Berat Ezel

Senior Trainer

I have been working in the youth work field since 2001 as a freelance trainer and youth worker. Being a member of different network organization’s pools of experts
gave me chance to extend my vision and widen my personal network for cooperation in
all public, civic and private sectors. Sharing information and designing learning is my
passion. I am very motivated and happy to be active in civil society.

Zacharias Piazas

Facilitator

My path in life goes on the direction of people’s empowerment, in pursuit of my vision for building solidarity and caring communities, starting from the individual. It all started a few years ago during my EVS experience abroad, where I got hooked to the motivation-for-growth and solidarity-spirit that non-formal education and volunteering developed in me. Ever since, I am seeking ways through which I can better support people in exploring their potential and achieving their goals, as I see that this process also brings value and growth in me.
And so, for the last 2 and a half years, I have been working as a youth worker in United Societies of Balkans (Thessaloniki, Greece) developing and providing educational, volunteering and growth opportunities for young people in local and international levels. Workshops, youth exchanges, training courses, volunteering teams, project management, cooperation with international organisations are some key words that can describe the practical aspects of my work. As for its value, I would say: inspiring motivation, adopting reflection, embracing learning.

Renata Penchova

Senior Trainer

Renata Penchova is a young enthusiast and activist, co-founder and project coordinator of a local NGO organization Further Together, professor of Macedonian literature, and Young European Ambassador/ YEA on the platform WeBalkans. Also, she is a current vice-curator in the Global Shapers hub in Skopje. She is advocating for topics such as human rights, education, culture, and the environment. Renata is a resilient and empowered changemaker, who accepts challenges.

Anna Karolina Rixen

Facilitator

My name is Anna and I am 23 years old. I am currently studying Migration studies in my masters degree.
My motivation to work in the field of European Youth Projects is that I personally know how a project can change your personal development, in a great way. And if that is something that I can see in other people taking part in a project that gives me the biggest motivation.
I am a creative person and i can do creative work for hours and hours. I love to cook and like to experiment with different tastes.
I am who I am, first of all because my parents did a great job raising me and because of the years that i have spent abroad. In addition my cultural education studies gave me a lot of new perspective to be a more critical thinker.
The biggest milestone for me was writing and executing my own Youth Exchange Intercultualog, which was held in April 2022. Furthermore my bachelor’s degree in cultural education is a milestone for me.

Shams Sadigova

Junior Trainer

I am a young devoted specialist who considers herself a youth worker and has a big desire to be a change-maker in society with the help of Youth work and Non-formal education. Regarding my career prospects, on the short-term side of things, I would like to become a professional not just in local regions of my country but also internationally, be actively involved in various non-formal education events as a trainer and curator in order to motivate, educate and prepare the upcoming generation of professionals for the rapidly changing community.

Ivana Radojicic

Senior Trainer

I’m an activist, youth worker and project manager. My biggest motivation are young people who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and explore the otherness. Having the opportunity to travel and exchange knowledge and opinions with young people from different realities made me more open-minded and gave me the perspective of the world I have today. I have extensive experience in youth work, project management, facilitating youth exchanges and designing workshops for young people. I was the co-author of a number of publications for youth workers.

Andrei Serotini

Junior Trainer

With a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Algarve, as well as degrees in Law and Philosophy, I bring a unique perspective to my work that is informed by a deep understanding of human behavior and social dynamics, enabling me to understand and connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
In my current role, Communication Manager at Contextos – Cooperativa para o Desenvolvimento e Coesão Social – I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of communication and social media management, including the development of internal and external communication strategies, and the creation of a wide range of content, from copywriting and video blogs to press releases and podcasts. Additionally, I am the coordinator of the Vitamin D – Contextos media lab, a European Solidarity Corps project focused on community-based cultural and artistic activities.
Throughout my career, I have built strong relationships with artists and other cultural stakeholders, enabling me to conceptualize and implement a wide range of local community-based initiatives and projects. As a lifelong musician, I have a deep appreciation for the arts and understand their importance in creating vibrant and inclusive communities.
Beyond my work with communication at Contextos, I am also involved in several social and cultural projects in the municipality, including the “Açoteia Group – Faro Rooftop” initiative, which aims to transform the rooftops of the city into spaces of culture, citizen participation, and biodiversity. I am also an active member of the facilitation and promotion team for the “Faro Participatory Budget.”
Above all, I am a people person. I believe that communication is the key to understanding and connecting with others, and I am constantly seeking out new perspectives and insights to inform my work. I am committed to using my skills and experience to create positive change in the world and to help others achieve their goals and aspirations.

Adel AlBaghdadi

Senior Trainer

Adel AlBaghdadi, born & raised in Damascus –Syria. I went to Law School for perusing my dream of becoming a diplomat or working in one of the international humanitarian organizations and contributing to the World Peace Building. After a long, risky, physically & emotionally tough journey, I arrived in 2015 to the Netherlands where I’m fortunately enjoying the safety and the freedom. My life story isn’t about what happens to me, it’s about who I become because of it. It’s believing in my dreams and facing my fears that allow me to live my life beyond my limits. Fortunately, I found my “WHY” and shared it with the whole world in this TEDx Talk. “Working together towards a vibrant, resilient and inclusive society, informed & empowered through dialogue” “Impact Maker”, that’s how I boldly call myself; because I make the daily conscious decision to be a part of the solution and not the problem. I am a firm believer in possibilities. I believe in a better future, and I’m determined to create it.

Katarina Vukadinović

Facilitator

“At the age of 15, I realized that non-formal education is what needs my formal education to be complete. So, after having BA in psychology, I’m 10 years of actively developing youth work and civic activism at local, national, and international levels. With the support of the municipality, NGO sector, and young people, I established the Youth club in Budva, and soon it became a model of good practice for the other Municipalities in Montenegro.
Therefore, my expertise is in advocating, establishing, and coordinating Youth clubs, fostering young people to participate in decision-making, community engagement, volunteerism, team building, and service learning. Moreover, I have a particular interest in the topic of women’s rights, so I work a lot with youth and minorities in the prevention of gender-based violence and healthy relationships among youth.
Apart from that, I work with parents through UNICEF’s program,,Caring families”. Together with working with youth, working with their parents is making a more significant impact on the family and society.”

Tamara Injac

Junior Trainer

I am an aspiring young pedagogist currently researching the role of creativity in education. I have been involved in multiple projects ranging from organising and holding workshops on mental health to developing an outdoor game for teenagers. I’ve volunteered at many different facilities, including creative centers and a foster home. I love working with people, travelling and experiencing new cultures. As a professional, I believe learning is a process of co-construction, as an individual, I believe in self-growth, so what moves me forward is the idea of connecting with others and exchanging experiences in order to make both myself and the world better.

Srđan Petković

Senior Trainer

The feeling and desire for a more righteous society appeared in me ten years ago, and that is the main thing that encouraged me on the path of personal development, learning, and the creation of a better environment for my peers and me. My first activist steps were in the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights.

Through my activist life and later professional work, I had the opportunity to collaborate with many organizations, dealing with topics that were not popular but were necessary to tackle. During high school, I promoted human rights, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. It was then that I gained my first experience in project work. These experiences, in a way, put me on a path that took me to enroll in the Faculty of Political Science. Along with my studies, I engaged in organizations that encouraged me to go further and evolve my skills in politics, education, youth engagement, reporting within projects, media activism, journalism, film, and others.

This path I chose allows me to share my experience and knowledge with many young people from the whole country and make significant changes. The desire for education took me to international youth work, where I work with organizations that deal with issues of youth, community development, and inclusion. Its important to note that YEU was and still is a major part of my engagement in the international youth work.

Five years ago, I got my first formal employment. Then I was given a chance to work on the development and implementation of programs related to youth education, non-formal education activities, youth engagement, and youth policies. Through my work at the SHL Foundation, I gained some of the most important professional experiences.

Alessandra Grisoni

Junior Trainer

Alessandra Grisoni is a dedicated and passionate youth worker with over 5 years of experience in non-formal education activities, focusing on international cooperation, youth empowerment, intercultural awareness, and LGBTQ++ advocacy. She has lived on three different continents, which has given them a unique perspective on cross-cultural communication and understanding.

Alessandra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree in International Cooperation, and is a certified Intercultural Mediator. Her expertise and education in these fields have helped them develop a strong reputation for their ability to inspire, motivate, and empower young people from diverse backgrounds, including those who identify as LGBTQ++.

Alessandra is a strong advocate for LGBTQ++ rights and has a deep understanding of the issues facing LGBTQ++ youth, including discrimination, mental health, and social isolation. She is committed to creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth and helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Throughout her junior career, Alessandra has demonstrated expertise in a wide range of areas and she is particularly skilled at developing and delivering training programs on project management, fundraising, youth engagement, intercultural awareness, cross-cultural communication, and LGBTQ++ inclusion.

Lilia Khazri

Facilitator

I am Lilia Khazri a 23-year-old North-African and young social advocate who has been involved in civil society for 5 years. I am an international relations graduate with focus on : international development and diplomacy. People usually describe me as very ” energetic”, indeed, they get it right because I have decided to commit my energy in advocacy and activism, in the pursuit of social change. Making an impact and helping young people develop their skills and upgrade professionally is what keeps motivating me, with the belief that every young person has the capacity to flourish at all levels.

Throughout my humble journey with national and international NGOs , I have developed a plethora of professional skills, including ; intercultural communication, public speaking, project development and coordination, proposal writing, social media management, facilitation and workshop/training design.

A milestone that I am proud of is my passion for the United Nations and speech delivery, that led me to being invited several times as a youth speaker and representative in various UN conferences ( with the Youth Envoy, UNHCR 2021 Racism working group etc). All of this has been my motivation to continue with advocacy and youth work, in order to help youth excell, raise their own voices and act upon injustices in a more intercultural and diverse environment.

Med Amine Sebai

Facilitator

I get motivated by the impact on the world around me, I’m a professional graphic designer and digital painter, i always try to meet people who are looking at the bright side, being a teacher for high school students is my milestone.

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