E-mail address
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer
Occupation
12.2019
- End 2020, migration issues
- Member Civil Society Working Group on migration and Facilitation Directive in Brussels
- Attended meetings of the WG on EU-level advocacy on criminalisation on solidarity
- Supported the release of humanitarian sea rescue worker in Greece, Salam Aldeen through mobilisation of lawyers and advocacy support
- Held
- Main activities and responsibilities, Main activities and responsibilities Disseminated signed MEPs letter for the release of humanitarian worker Salam Aldeen
- Organised with OSEPI a roundtable on criminalisation of human rights defenders in Europe next Monday 17 February
- Special invited speaker, Salam Aldeen
- Contributed to the European Parliament event organized by Comitato Tre Ottobre on 17 February 2019, by inviting Salam Aldeen to be a speaker on migrants’ situation in Greece
- Follow-up on the new pact on migration, release in September 2020 by the Commission
President
Advocacy and Human Rights, CADO
06.2022 - Current
- Executive management
- Develop and promote tools and services to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups in order to prevent and combat gender-based discrimination and violence.
Roma Rights Centre
11.2021 - Current
- Human Rights Education
- European, Occupation or position held
- Main activities and, Main activities and responsibilities 1, (EU & International Institutions
Senior Advocacy Officer
European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network, ERGO
01.2020 - Current
- In charge of advocacy with EU institutions on antigypsyism, anti-racism, intersectional discrimination and gender equality and environmental justice
- Policy and legal analysis, research and advocacy on Roma and human rights situation
- Reviewing reports chapters on antigypsyism and participation under the Roma Civil Monitor 2020, funded by DG JUST
- Addressing the impact of COVID-19 on Roma communities
- Coordinated a European study on the impact of COVID-19 on Roma communities
- Input to European Parliament reports from EMPL, LIBE and FEMM
- Provided input to the public consultation on the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) from the perspective of vulnerable groups
- Provided input to the EC draft Action Plan against Racism, 2020 - 2025
- Input to the Social Platform paper on minimum income; input to the Social Platform position paper on the European Pillar of Social Rights
- Drafted policy paper on fundamental rights and antiracism
- Provided input to EQUINET mtg with Equality Bodies and DG JUST on their survey with Equality Bodies on Roma equality and the Framework strategy
- Contributed to the Toolkit for ERGO members on How to use ESF+ and ERDF 2021-2027
- Drafted brochure for ERGO members on “Inadequate use of EU Funds”
- Contributed to the joint report on “Pushed to the Wastelands
- Environmental racism against Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe”, published by European Environmental Bureau, Environmental Justice Atlas and ERGO Network
- Drafted Guidelines for MS and WB on national Roma strategic frameworks 2020-2030
- Part of the FairCSOs network supporting better conditions and wages for Belgian workers
- Member of the Focus Group on Protecting Civil Society Space in the EU.
Independent Consultant
European Commission
03.2018 - 05.2024
- Belgium/EU VAT no
- Holder) on Antiracism and Discrimination
- Project evaluator of the of the, CERV Call for proposals to National Roma Contact Points for Roma equality, inclusion and participation (CERV-2024-NRCP) –
Advocacy Officer
European Network Against Racism, ENAR
04.2019 - 10.2019
- In charge of ENAR’s portfolio on Antigypsyism, Islamophobia, Antisemitism and intersectionality
- Coordinated the work of the European Coalition against Islamophobia
- Involved with the process of having an EU working definition of Islamophobia
- Worked towards setting up a Working Group on Intersectionality in the European Parliament with cross party advisers and MEPs
- Supported work of the European Alliance against antigypsyism, particularly towards the adoption of the EU Roma policy; contributed to the Alliance’s Guidelines on fighting antigypsyism
- Contributed to the written questions on Roma submitted by the Alliance on antigypsyism for Commissioners-designate for LIBE, FEMM, BUDG, CULT, EMPL, ENVI, AFET, REGI
- Supported the work of the European Parliament on antiracism, including through input on Resolutions; supported the work of the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI), including in organising the anti-racism week in March and September 2019
- Moderated the Panel on EU race and gender equality policy - How do we ensure an intersectional approach
- Under EU Antiracism and Diversity Week, European Parliament, 25 September 2019
- Organised the European Day of Action against Islamophobia and Religious Intolerance together with Green MEPs Magid Magid and Romeo Franz, 24 September 2019, EP
- Intervention on Intersectional discrimination against people of color at the Summer Days of Ecologists during Carte blanche «Des droits pour toutes et tous en Europe» with Green MEP Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, 24 August 2019, Organised in cooperation with GUE/NGL MEP Malin Bjork and ARDI the CSOs consultation on the Impact of Islamophobia on Muslim Women, 3 April 2019
- Exchange of views: Isabela Mihalache & MEP Malin Bjork, FEMM Dialogue with NGOs about intersectional forms of discrimination, 2 April 2019
- Full time, maternity cover
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Position held
- Main activities and responsibilities, held
- Main activities and responsibilities, Main activities and responsibilities
- Coordinated Dosta (enough)
- Go beyond prejudice, meet Roma and Travellers! campaign
- Successful candidate of the Council of Europe Vacancy no e178/2016 Senior Programme Officer – on a reserve list.
Council of Europe, Travellers Team
01.2016 - 09.2018
03.2018 - 03.2018
- Participation
- Project Management Methodology (PMM)
- Council
Project Manager
10.2016 - 03.2018
- In charge of antidiscrimination file, focusing on Roma women and gender mainstreaming, youth and children
- Drafted and managed the Joint Programme with the European Commission DG Justice on Roma and Traveller Women’s Access to Justice in Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland and Italy - “JUSTROM” Programme, for a budget of 850 532,74 EUR
- Obtained and managed a second grant for the continuation of JUSTROM2 between 1 April 2018 and 30 September 2018 in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Romania for a budget of 866,222.67 EUR
- Under the JUSTROM project: established 10 legal clinics to support victims of discrimination in access to services and to justice in Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Romania; managed and supervised a national team of 37 experts (national coordinators, lawyers, legal assistants, and facilitators) and 1 project officer and legal trainee/support project assistant
- Implemented Training of Trainers for legal professionals and training of teachers of the prison circuit in Italy, and ToT for police in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania
- Developed a Toolkit for police officers on non-discrimination and Roma
- Involved in the drafting of project proposals for the 2019-2021 EAA/Norway Grants programme for Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia and Romania, regarding justice and human rights, correctional services and gender violence
- Drafted a project proposal on Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and prosecutors in Slovakia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, to counter discrimination and hate crimes against Roma
- Contributed to the implementation of the Council of Europe Strasbourg Declaration and Thematic Action Plan for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers
11.2002 - 11.2017
Programme Manager
Council of Europe, Roma and Travellers Team
08.2014 - 04.2016
- In charge of managing the anti-discrimination file, Roma women and gender mainstreaming, Roma youth and children
- Drafted the Council of Europe pillar on Roma anti-discrimination/anti-Gypsyism
- Coordinated Dosta (enough)
- Go beyond prejudice, meet Roma and Travellers! Campaign
- Organised training of trainers on non-discrimination for lawyers, judges, prosecutors, police, prison staff, prison teachers and equality bodies
- Contributed to the intergovernmental work of the AD-Hoc Committee on Roma and Travellers’ Issues’ (CAHROM) country meetings and thematic reports related to anti-
- Gypsyism, gender equality and mainstreaming, children in street situation & trafficking, early/forced marriages, access to justice with a gender focus
- Member of the Council of Europe Gender Mainstreaming Team; Member of the Inter- Secretariat Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)
- Drafted the report of the 4th International Conference of Roma Women from Helsinki, September 2013 organised by CoE and Finnish Government; coordinated the organisation of the 5th International Roma Women’s Conference, Skopje, North Macedonia, 6-7 October 2015
- Contributed to the work of European Alliance of Cities and Regions, Office of the
- Commissioner for Human Rights, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Justice Sector, Law Co-operation Unit, Gender Equality Unit, SOGI, Parliamentary Assembly Equality & Non-discrimination Committee, HELP programme, GRETA; GREVIO, Implementation of Judgements
- Contributed to the launching of the Council of Europe-Fundamental Rights Agency-EQUINET-ENNHRI Operation Platform for Roma Equality “OPRE Platform
- Dealt with various fundraising and grant and budget schemes for the SRSG Team, including EEA/Norway Grants, Horizontal Facilities, Voluntary contributions, Ordinary budget and EU funds
- Co-ordinated the development of the Council of Europe Toolkit on Council of Europe standards on non-discrimination and Roma issues for police officers
International Consultant
United
01.2012 - 11.2012
- Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN, Conducted an expert Study on the Situation of Romani women in the Republic of Moldova in the area of education, health care, employment, social protection, violence and empowerment
- Made a desk review of available statistical, analytical and other information resources as well as key policy documents and legislation; conducted consultative meetings with government, CSOs, UN Agencies and other international development partners working with human rights, and women’s rights in particular, gender equality, minority rights and Roma issues; conducted individual interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders and local and national level; conducted secondary research on existing data on Roma, Romani women, national statistics on poverty, social inclusion and gender equality.
Deputy Director
European Roma Rights Centre, ERRC
01.2009 - 07.2011
- Supported the Executive Director in all aspects of managing the organization: personnel, fundraising, program and operations
- In charge of fundraising and donor reporting
- Drafted parts of the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Action Grant 2009-2010 on state response to violence and hate speech in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia; Contributed to the Criminal Justice for hate crime victims’ application, JLS/2010/JPEN/AG
- Led hight level advocacy with the European Parliament, UN Special Rapporteurs, OSCE ODIHR, Council of Europe on the situation of Roma women ,including forced sterilisation and the situation of Roma in Europe, violence against Roma; education; housing; free movement, women’s rights; led consultation with civil society on strategic priorities
- Held training on Romanian legislation and complaint mechanism in Romania
- Drafted Factsheets on the Human Rights situation of Roma in Europe
- Developed strategy on France regarding the expulsions and forced returns of Romanian for from the French territory
- Drafted the Declaration of Roma Women at the International Conference of Roma women in Athens, organised by the Council of Europe, Greece, 2010.
Open Society Foundations, OSF, Open Society Institute
10.2003 - 08.2009
Senior Programme Manager
Situation of Romani Women
06.2006 - 01.2007
- Private operating and grant making international human rights foundation
- Managed grant making to Roma/ women’s organizations on institutional development, social inclusion, human rights protection and gender equality
- Developed and coordinated the European Commission Internship Program for Young Roma Graduates 2005, 2007 on the side of the OSF
- Coordinated the Joint Romani Women’s Initiative Program; Developed and managed the Grants Scheme for Romani Women’s Empowerment; Organised training in advocacy in women’s rights and gender equality in European countries between 2005-2010; Coordinated European Structural Funds training series and seminars for Roma NGOs of the EU 10 during 2006-
- Contract type Coordinated gender study projects in Romania and Bulgaria: Broadening the Agenda
- The Status of Romani Women in Romania and Breaking the Barriers
- The Status of Romani Women in Bulgaria
- Contributed to the EP Resolution on the Situation of Roma in the European Union 2005 and the EP Resolution on the Situation of Romani Women in the European Union 2006
- Co-organised together with the European Parliament the Conference on Equal Opportunities for Romani Women in New Member States and Candidate Countries, Brussels, 28 June 2005 & Roundtable on Rethinking Gender Mainstreaming
01.2019 - 01.2004
- The impact of Covid-19 on Roma communities in the European Union and the Western Balkans, ERGO Network
- Apr 10, 2021, available at: https://ergonetwork.org/2021/04/ergo-report-impact-of-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR14iATLoCQpyhNUOXoRptAv5_kDi9uUZORQowzrUxyxoIL10tvEacjQNr4
- Recommendations for the national strategic frameworks under the new EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation, ERGO December 2020, available at: Recommendations for national strategic Roma frameworks – ERGO Network
- Co-author article Roma strategy vs reality: an overview of Roma homelessness and housing exclusion of Roma in Europe, FEANTSA, December 2020, available at: https://www.feantsa.org/public/user/Resources/magazine/2020/Winter%20Roma/Roma_Strategy_VS_Reality.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1I8zdDVQRM8AxzVoElPDzXLS8egqzlhhVlvDwjRHXn0gkk2Jzl4EFiW0Q
- Co-author article “Roma part of Black Lives Matter”, BrusselsTimes, 9 July 2020, available at: https://www.brusselstimes.com/opinion/120784/roma-part-of-blacklivesmatter/
- Co-author article “I can’t imagine a feminism that is not anti-racist”, in feminist book “Empower
- Fight
- Resist
- Five years of feminist struggle in Europe”, by the European Green Party, 2019, Brussels, available at: https://europeangreens.eu/sites/europeangreens.eu/files/AAFF_EMPOWER%20FIGHT%20RESIST_xarxes.pdf?fbclid=IwAR05C7mszI0Y4-YJRv8UzujysrSE3IIzNG8t3nYaTuj7F6DvcpOIgE7ckNk
- Presentation on “Housing segregation in Bulgaria” on the occasion of the Public hearing "The housing situation of the Roma" organised in Brussels on 14 October 2019, European Social and Economic Committee: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/news-media/presentations/housing-segregation-bulgaria
- Intervention on “Intersectional discrimination against people of color” at the Summer Days of Ecologists during Carte blanche «Des droits pour toutes et tous en Europe» with Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, 24 August 2019, ://europeecologie.eu/journees-dete-des-ecologistes-2019-ou-et-quand-nous-rencontrer
- FEMM Dialogue with NGOs about intersectional forms of discrimination: Exchange of views - Speakers: Isabela Mihalache, Malin Björk (GUE), Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, FEMM/8/15662, 2 April 2019: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/FEMM-PV-, -02-1_EN.pdf
Council of Europe
01.2002 - 03.2002
Project Evaluator
European Commission
- 1 1
- S European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) in the call HORIZON-HLTH-2024-CARE-04-two-stage – October, 2023
- Drafted a report about environmental justice within the EU-27 national strategies for Roma equality, inclusion, and participation, including a categorization of member states’ plans, an analysis and recommendations – for the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) – Published January 2024
- Drafted a policy paper of approximately on discrimination against Muslim women in Belgian education through headscarf bans, based on the OSEPI research findings and including a short legal analysis of the main potential violations of the Employment and RACE Equality Directives – November 2023
- Developed case-study on police discrimination and provide feedback on the outline of the policy briefing and e-learning module by the Facing Facts Network – December 2022
- Evaluated projects under the European Commission CERV and HORIZON programs, providing expert insights on Roma inclusion and health care
- Drafted comprehensive reports on environmental justice, focusing on Roma inclusion and racialized communities, including analysis for the European Environmental Bureau
- Authored a policy paper on discrimination against Muslim women in Belgian education, combining legal analysis with advocacy for inclusive policies
- Collaborated with international networks on police discrimination, hate crime, and intersectional human rights frameworks.
Skills
- Positive Attitude
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Organized and Efficient
- Attention to Detail
Timeline
President
Advocacy and Human Rights, CADO
06.2022 - Current
Roma Rights Centre
11.2021 - Current
Senior Advocacy Officer
European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network, ERGO
01.2020 - Current
Volunteer
Occupation
12.2019
Advocacy Officer
European Network Against Racism, ENAR
04.2019 - 10.2019
01.2019 - 01.2004
03.2018 - 03.2018
Independent Consultant
European Commission
03.2018 - 05.2024
Project Manager
10.2016 - 03.2018
Council of Europe, Travellers Team
01.2016 - 09.2018
01.2016 - 01.2019
Programme Manager
Council of Europe, Roma and Travellers Team
08.2014 - 04.2016
International Consultant
United
01.2012 - 11.2012
Deputy Director
European Roma Rights Centre, ERRC
01.2009 - 07.2011
Senior Programme Manager
Situation of Romani Women
06.2006 - 01.2007
Open Society Foundations, OSF, Open Society Institute
10.2003 - 08.2009
11.2002 - 11.2017
Council of Europe
01.2002 - 03.2002
Project Evaluator
European Commission
- 1 1
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