I want to share my experience in circular economy development on local and regional level. EU has chosen with EU Green deal transition towards Circular economy as one of key development for future Europe and since this is not yet on level of development needed for systemic change to become day to day practice I want to help all those local and regional authorities and stakeholders to get on this path. They do not have to make all 'learning by doing it' experience as I did and with my help they could manage faster development of circular economy models for governence and for local businesses.
Thru my work on EU level, regional and local level, presentations on conferences and implementation of EU funded projects in different programs I can offer range of experience for Urbact networks.

I am active as European Climate Pact Ambassador and in CCRI pilot region Podravje.

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The exchange of city practices and knowledge is fundamental to advancing sustainable urban development and inclusion in Europe. Strengthening city-to-city connections through networks is vital to increasing Europe's social and economic resilience and strengthening our cities.

I believe I can provide vital support for these exchange and knowledge-creation processes.  I bring 25 years of professional experience in housing, inclusion, urban governance, just transition and strategic urban planning gained in public and private sectors in over 30 cities in France, Serbia, Spain, the UK and Hungary, in support of 56 countries at the UN and 27 EU member states (EU Commission). I bring extensive experience in urban development practice, including action planning, research policy and foresight, and evaluation and impact assessment at the project, city, regional, national and international levels, as well as demonstrated success in advancing learning and promoting improved policy for EU institutions (eg. EC, EIB), EU programmes (eg. Urban Agenda for the EU, European Urban Initiative, Urban Innovative Actions.). As an executive-level university lecturer in France and the UK I bring practical tools and methods for integrated and participatory approaches and translating ambitions and strategies into action.

Most recently, I have been appointed a team leader of the New European Bauhaus Investment Guidelines expert team operationalising the NEB values for cities. Since 2016, I have been supporting the EU Urban Agenda as an expert for the establishment of the Cities of Equalities Partnership, advising the coordinators of the Partnership on Housing, and leading the assessment of the 14 EU Urban Agenda Partnerships contribution to the implementation of the UN New Urban Agenda and SDGs in Europe. I have also served as the expert for the Urban Innovative Actions and the European Urban Initiative, among other European and international initiatives focused on cities and concrete urban projects.  

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I have a beating heart for sustainable tourism and collaboration. I believe that with my working with values of emphaty, mutual respect, trust and encourgement I can support your city in reaching your desired destination. I am dedicated to fostering sustainable and inclusive local and regional tourism development while advancing the United Nations` Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In my current role, beside the CEO responsibilities in my own firm, I am responsible for knowledge exchange working closely with local stakeholders to design strategies that promote the development of sustainable tourism and various tourism products such as: cultural and urban tourism, sun and beach tourism and health and wellness tourism. I can help you design higher quality in your destination and make your destination smart.
I am Montenegrin, but European at heart, and I truly admire EU values and positive impact it makes in my country. I am proud to be an URBACT Expert.
I was born to be a pioneer: I was first Montenegrin student studyng on a master's in Planning and Management in Tourist Destination at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, in Spain, gaining great knowledge and experience I became a pioneer in strategic planning and management in tourism in Montenegro, including UNESCO sites. I started the first consulting firm dedicated to sustainable tourism development in Montenegro. A pioneer in creating workshops about sustainable tourism and cultural tourism. A pioneer as an expert from Montenegro in URBACT IV Pool of Experts ...

Success isn`t created alone. Together we can make history.

Feel free to drop me a line at marija@marixperience.com ! Cheers!

 

Related activities in URBACT IV: URBACT Local Group Coordinator in Budva Partner city https://urbact.eu/networks/cities-after-dark.

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Klemen Strmšnik is a geographer with excellent understanding of natural and social processes and systems. He complements his extensive experience, gained while working on projects in Slovenia and abroad, with his outstanding communication skills and leadership capacities. He enjoys tackling new challenges, either in the field of environmental protection, efficient management, regional development and capacity building or in development and implementation of international projects.

He is one of the leading Project Managers of a consultancy company ZaVita d.o.o. with over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, regional and rural development, environmental consulting, as well as implementation of EU funded projects in Slovenia, EU countries and the region of Western Balkans.

He is a proven environmental expert and evaluator with international experience and a track record to prove it. As such, he was a team member of several international project teams, working on transposition and implementation of EU Directives in the region of Western Balkans, evaluations of Programmes linked to EU Structural Funds, Rural Development Fund and Cohesion Fund, as well as development and implementation of several EU funded projects in Danube, Adrion and URBACT transnational Programmes.

He firmly believes that great things happen, if you say YES to new challenges and opportunities.

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I hold Master degree in Environmental protection science and Bachelor as Professor of Geography. My experience of over 15 years is in project management and trainings in the fields of environmental protection, circular economy and waste management, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, rural and tourism development, support to business development of SMEs and support to strengthening capacities of local authorities and CSOs. All these actions involved numerous actors, citizens, governmental bodies, CSOs and companies.
My professional experiences within project implementation is related to administrative and financial reporting, and as well related to implementation of technical reports, and supporting the local self-government and CSOs educating them on circular economy principles, environmental protection recommendations, within projects implemented by CSO where I work or as support to other projects as expert. Besides preparation of project proposals, implementation and technical documents delivery, monitoring and evaluation of projects and sub-grantees, I supported preparation and implementation of numerous local and transnational meetings, trainings, seminars and conferences. My extent experience is as well in organization of tourist visits, especially after meetings/conferences, where participants can enjoy and communicate in more relaxed atmosphere.
In my experience of work, I have traveled a lot, and always had great connections with people in different countries (Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro). I am person with team spirit, without prejudice, adapt to multicultural environments, treating all people fairly without favouritism, with great sense of pertinacity, responsibility, ready to learn constantly, fulfiling obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. I poses strong analytical, reporting and writing skills, excellent public speaking and presentation skills. 

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A professional committed to sustainable development, educated and experienced in the field of social sciences, economy-management & business and communication, with two decades of experience in validated thematic expertise – communication, social innovation, knowledge economy, local economy.

Results-oriented, with effective communication skills and down to earth approach, throughout her professional career Ivana was holding the responsibility for the promotion of innovative solutions, the principles of sustainable development, SDGs, corporate social responsibility.

Ivana was engaged as a Communication Officer at the joint secretariat of the Interreg-IPA CBC BGRS programme 2014-2020, where she was responsible for the development and implementation of the communication strategy of this territorial cooperation programme. While working in her other positions, such as an HR instructor at GrECo Group or Quality & Training Manager at Serbian Automotive Cluster, she was also responsible for internal and external communication with stakeholders, clients, etc.

Experienced in projects and positions in the field of local economy development, from consulting and implementation of management systems and tools, cluster development, design and implementation of strategies, SMEs capacity building, LMS (Learning Management System), organisation and delivery of trainings, to the promotion of sustainability at international-regional-local level, as well as through regular business activities. She was engaged in developing and implementing tailor-made HR solutions in international context, in different cultural environments and aligned with the EU Cohesion Policy.

As an expert, Ivana was engaged by the project partners-beneficiaries in the EU and UN funded projects aimed at economic growth for businesses and well-being for citizens. Projects she participated in were aimed at improving the economic competitiveness, social resilience, and quality of life, with innovative solutions in the segment of business operations, social responsibility, with focus on underrepresented groups, as well as solutions aimed at the development of the entire community through the implementation of triple bottom line principle – economy, society, environment, as the flywheel for social and economic development of the local community.

She has been a member of the Committee for sustainability and social responsibility at ISS for almost two decades, and participated in standards development, such as ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on Social Responsibility, and a series of standards related to sustainable cities and communities: Sustainable development in communities - Management system for sustainable development; Sustainable cities and communities - Indicators for city services and quality of life; Sustainable cities and communities - Vocabulary; Smart community infrastructures - Smart transportation for compact cities; Sustainable procurement; Public procurement - Integrity and accountability; Women's entrepreneurship.

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Unlock the power of collaboration with expert design and delivery of capacity building activities. With over 10 years of experience, I have aquired quite some experience in facilitating cross-cultural knowledge sharing and can't wait to learn more. If I were to describe my specialities, I would say that I specialize in creating engaging, interactive experiences that foster exchange of ideas, insights, and best practices. Although I have a relaxed, "down-to-earth" approach , I am result oriented and love the challenge of making ideas come to life. 

From virtual to onsite workshops, my innovative approach to capacity building is sure to ignite new thinking, inspire new solutions, and elevate your efforts.

I have experience in Workshop & Training:
- Design
- Content development
- Management and coordination (incl. coordination and work with SMEs)
- Moderation
- Monitoring and Evaluation

Let's connect today and open a world of possibilities!

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