Transnational CoP members

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The Project

The NEARVET consortium is building a transnational Community of Practice (CoP) focused on applied research in Vocational Education and Training (VET). This specific CoP comprises around 50 practitioners from across the partner organizations with diverse skills, but emphasizing a shared domain of interest. The participants collaborate, share experiences, and develop a collective practice across 5 EU countries.

The core question guiding their efforts is, "What are the needs of applied researchers in VET, and how can they be met?" This practitioner-focused approach aims to create a dynamic network that enhances competences and fosters innovation in VET.

Through regular online and occasional face to face participative workshops and seminars, the NEARVET transnational CoP will collaboratively address challenges, co-create learning materials for the NEARVET MOOC, write and select expert articles for the Open Applied Research Resources Space, and validate methods to elevate applied research competencies. The ultimate goal is to develop a sustainable learning community that extends beyond the project's lifespan.

MetNet

Elena Grilli

Monira Kerler-Fehr

Dimitra Education & Consulting

Vaso Anastasopoulou

Maria Ziogou

Georgios Petrou

Vasileios Zarkos

FHM

Lena Rennerich

Prof. Dr. Stefan Finger

Marianna Gevorski

Prof. Dr. phil. Tim Brüggemann

STHEV

Eleni Evangelopoulou

Eeni Korlou

MMC

Christiana Knais

Efrosyni Savva

Maria Xiari

Cyprus Hotel Association

name

name

Folkuniversitetet

Yuliia Kozhukivska

Ali Rashidi

Kateryna Puhachova

Maryna Kaminska

Hasitha Priyashantha

Vassilis Varelas

CCIZ

Águeda López

Elena Nasarre Garcia

CRES

Giorgia Tucci

Alessia Spatafora

CIOFS-FP ETS

Flavia Spizzichino

Tiziana Piacentini

Assolombarda

Valentina Buitta

Paola Rossetti

Rinova

Jason Ault

Gigi Guizzo

Richard Parks

Danna Calle

Trevor Burgess

Sami Atif

Sofia Leitao

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Elena Grilli

elena.grilli@metropolisnet.eu

Monira Kerler-Fehr

monira.kerler-fehr@metropolisnet.eu

Vaso Anastasopoulou

Director of Development & European Projects Dept., DIMITRA Education & Consulting S.A.

Ms. Vaso Anastasopoulou holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the Hellenic Open University and an MBA from the University of Staffordshire. With over 20 years of experience in vocational education and training, she has designed and managed numerous programs focused on social inclusion and employability, many of which have received national and European recognition as Best Practices. As the Director of Development and European Projects, she supports thousands of beneficiaries across Europe, contributing her expertise in research, project coordination, and training methodologies. Ms. Anastasopoulou is also a certified consultant for socially vulnerable groups and an educator for adult trainers.

Location: Larisa, Greece

Lena Rennerich

Research Associate (m/f/d) in Science

lena.rennerich@fh-mittelstand.de
LinkedIn

Research Assistant, has a degree in linguistics and literature. She has been researching and publishing at FHM since 2022 in national and international projects in the areas of Open Innovation, Innovation Partnerships, Applied Research in VET, Autism Spectrum Disorder and accreditation processes for Micro-Credentials.

location: Bielefeld, Germany

Prof. Dr. Stefan Finger

Professor and Academic Director of Studies, ‘Photography & Film’ programme

stefan.finger@@fh-mittelstand.de
LinkedIn

Prof. Stefan Finger studied politics, sociology and media studies in his bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in political communication at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf. He then completed a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and documentary photography. His research focus is on visual communication and journalism. Since 2016 he has worked as a university lecturer in photography. Between 2021 and 2023 he was a substitute professor at the University of Applied Sciences for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (FHM). In 2023 he was appointed Professor of Photography and Communication at the FHM. There he teaches the modules Photography, Image and Video Journalism, Agile Project Management, Cross-Media Journalism, Applied Media Psychology, Scientific Work, Print and Online Journalism and Media Production, among others. He is also the academic director of the Bachelor’s degree program “Photo & Film“.

location: Hannover, Germany

Marianna Gevorski

Head of Project Development and Coordination

marianna.gevorski@fh-mittelstand.de
LinkedIn

N/A

location: Bielefeld, Germany

Prof. Dr. phil. Tim Brüggemann

Professor, Vice-Rector

tim.brueggemann@fh-mittelstand.de
LinkedIn

Prof. Dr. Tim Brüggemann – is vice-rector Head of the Institute of Continuing Education and Competence Development, Online University and Professor at FHM. His research focus lies on personal career management, professional development, competence diagnostics, Lifelong learning. Prof. Brüggemann is creating new (vocational) educational programs which respond to the current needs in different fields. Competence diagnostic and development are one of the main fields he is responsible for.

location: Bielefeld, Germany

Eleni Evangelopoulou

Manager of the Education and European project department

innovation@sthev.gr
LinkedIn

Ms. Evangelopoulou is an Economist with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Organization and Administration. She has experience in career consulting, implementation of vocational education and training programs, European programs that STHEV participate as a partner, and human resource management.

Location: Larisa, Greece

Eeni Korlou

Economist-Junior project manager of European and Educational programs

Ms. Korlou is an Economist with a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and has experience in the management of European and Educational programs, especially in their coordination and implementation at an entry level. In addition, she is involved in Labor Interconnection, helping people to enter the labour market.

Location: Larisa, Greece

Yuliia Kozhukivska

Project Manager

yuliia.kozhukivska@folkuniversitetet.se
LinkedIn

Yuliia Kozhukhivska is a Project Manager working with ERASMUS+ project focused on Digitization and Vocational Education and Training. Her experience include participation in different initiatives and workshops as an invited expert. Yuliia has a prior experience in implementing innovative educational strategies both through teaching experience and projects initiatives

Ali Rashidi

Director of International Cooperation Department

ali.rashidi@folkuniversitetet.se
LinkedIn

Ali Rashidi is the head of the Department for International Cooperation. After Sweden joined the EU in 1995, Ali Rashidi has been working as transnational coordinator and manager for a large number of European and international projects in various programs related to employment and training issues. Mr. Rashidi is an expert in Quality Assurance in VET and has been working carrying out several projects and initiatives in Western and Eastern Europe for improvement of VET.

Hasitha Priyashantha

hasi.priyashantha@folkuniversitetet.se

Vassilis Varelas

vassilis.varelas@folkuniversitetet.se

Águeda López

European Projects technician at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Zaragoza

Location: Zaragoza, Spain

Elena Nasarre Garcia

Head of European Union Service at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Zaragoza

Location: Zaragoza, Spain

Giorgia Tucci

Flavia Spizzichino

Tiziana Piacentini

Valentina Buitta

Education System and Human Capital Expert

Paola Rossetti

Education System and Human Capital Expert

Jason Ault

Gigi Guizzo

Senior Development Manager

Expert in cultural memory, fundamental rights and applied research methodologies. Versatile, polyglot and multicultural, interested in cultural exchange, life long learning and social issues.

Location: Málaga, Spain

Richard Parks

Director

Legal representative and Director of Rinova has been working in the field of lifelong learning for over 30 years. He holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship, a degree in Music and Education and Community Studies and a Masters (MRes) in Research and Evaluation methods.

Location: Málaga, Spain

Danna Calle

Communication Assistant

Expert in marketing, design and dissemination.

Location: Málaga, Spain

Trevor Burgess

Maria Ziogou

Manager of the Education and European project department

Ms. Ziogou Maria is a physicist with a Master in Artificial Intelligence (AI). She is a Project Manager working with European projects focused on Digitization, Sustainability, AI Technologies and Vocational Education and Training. She also has prior experience in implementing innovative educational strategies, Programming and Robotics – CGS and ICT tools, both through teaching experience and project initiatives.

Location: Larisa, Greece

Kateryna Puhachova

Project Manager, PhD, Educator

As a Project Manager at Folkuniversitetet. Kateryna Puhachova coordinates Erasmus+ projects related to digitalisation, sustainability, online education, labor market integration, and quality assurance in Vocational Education and Training (VET). She works with partners from different countries and sectors to develop and implement innovative educational solutions that benefit learners, educators, and employers.

Maryna Kaminska

Project Manager, PhD, Educator

Maryna Kaminska is a Project Manager, PhD and a candidate in philology. Maryna has an experience of participating in ERASMUS+ actions aimed at the impelemntation of educational exchanges for teachers. As a Project Manager at Folkuniversitetet, she has a prior experience of being a participant in various workshops and CoPs for projects, working with VET, labour market integration and digitalisation of education.

Alessia Spatafora

Managing Director

she is the Managing Director of the Center for Research and European Studies-Future Business (CRES-fb). Graduated from the University “Roma Tre” in Architecture in 2006. She attended Postgraduate Specialization at the “Specializing School for Environmental and Cultural Heritage” at the University of Roma “La Sapienza” on the protection, safeguard, reuse, and valorization of Europe’s cultural heritage In 2014, she decided to approach the sector of EU project management, where she is enthusiastically employed. She has consolidated experience in the conceiving, writing and management of EU project proposals. She is responsible for the design, monitor, communication, and research activities in several European and international funding projects in the field of lifelong learning.

Sami Atif

Digital Content and Technologies Manager

Digital content expert, with experience in practical video and digital media production, as well as digital marketing and web-design/development.

Location: Málaga, Spain

Sofia Leitao

Principal Development Manager

Expert in the humanitarian sector on R&D and for the enhancement of Human Rights and the Rights of the Child.

Location: Málaga, Spain

Georgios Petrou

Vice President, DIMITRA Education & Consulting S.A.

Mr. George Petrou holds a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration & Accounting. He is a founding member and Vice President of DIMITRA Education & Consulting S.A. With extensive experience in managing European programs, financial consulting, and vocational training, he also specializes in developing educational materials and transnational partnerships. Mr. Petrou has played a vital role in overseeing the organization and coordination of projects aimed at socially excluded groups and lifelong learning initiatives.

Location: Larisa, Greece

Vasileios Zarkos

Managing Director, DIMITRA Educational Consulting S.A.

Mr. Zarkos is a Civil Engineer with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a specialization in Traffic Engineering. He is a founding member and Managing Director of DIMITRA Educational Consulting S.A. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees national training programs, vocational education, and lifelong learning initiatives. He has served in various leadership roles across multiple sectors, including humanitarian work, stock market companies, and internet service providers.

Location: Larisa, Greece