Io Chatzivaryti
-
Greece
- Greek, English, French, Italian
- iochatzivaryti@gmail.com
Validated Expert info
Expert can perform Ad hoc expertise missions at network and programme level in relation to:
1. The design and delivery of (transnational) exchange and learning activities
2. Thematic expertise:
[Strategic urban planning, Participative governance, Mobility]
3. Methods and tools for integrated and participatory approaches:
> Integrated and participatory design of strategies
> Sustaining stakeholder engagement and translating strategies into actions
Summary
I consider myself above all a geographer with experience in integrated urban development. Holder of an MSc in Cities, Space and Society from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor's Degree in Geography from the University of Aegean, Greece, with a professional experience of over 20 years in EU projects submission, management and implementation as a free-lance consultant, 19 years of which as an advisor to the Mayor of Kavala ( Greece).
My expertise lies in successfully introducing civic participation and co-designing complex strategic documents. An expert with a particular interest in trying our new, pilot and innovative urban solutions driven by excessive and inclusive civic participation. A professional with strong interpersonal skills, advanced personal motivation, and a proven ability to build and work collaboratively. Thus, my prior experience working at a city level, collaborating, proposing, and experimenting with urban innovations, and concertizing goal setting aiming at sustainable urban development gave me an understanding and appreciation of the importance of a job well done.
My current responsibilities as Kavala's Mayor's advisor in EU-funded projects (cross border, interregional projects) allowed me to successfully address questions on urban challenges, civic participation, public ethics, management of conflicts and mainstreaming of bottom-up processes in decision-making as an urban practitioner. My current duties include organizing stakeholder workshops, co-designing urban agendas, and coordinating transnational exchange of experience events. Furthermore, working with the UNESCO Chair Con-E-Ect allowed me to gain valuable skills in developing multidisciplinary projects, including their results in integrated urban agendas.
Based on these activities, I have worked as a ULG coordinator in several URBACT networks (LUMASEC, TOGETHER, Making Spend Matter, and URGE), coordinating and animating stakeholder-engaging workshops, organizing and participating at knowledge exchange partner events as well as supporting and drafting integrated urban plans.
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Richard Buckminster Fuller