Panel of Experts
Meet the specialists driving transformative change in integration, education, social services, and gender igualdad.
Liliya Terzieva
PhD in Economic and Organizational Sciences | Innovation Expert
Liliya Terzieva has a PhD in the field of Economic and Organizational sciences of Leisure and Tourism. She pays special attention to the combination of experiences, innovation, and competitiveness. She has gained about 20 years of international experience in various sectors, ranging from nonprofit to business. Her work has focused on entrepreneurial learning, value creation, regeneration and eco-systems, leadership, innovative education and learning, development and quality assurance in tourism and leisure, entrepreneurship, strategic design, imagineering, institutional capacity building, and organizational development.
Liliya is a member of the editorial board of various (scientific) journals. She is an active socio and member of the Worldwide Association of Female Profesionales. Additionally, she works as an external evaluator and co-creator of projects funded by the EU, being as well frequently invited as a speaker at (inter)national academic and applied research conferences and contributing to various forums in her field of expertise.
András Merza
International Project Manager & Expert | Chief of Operations at RCISD
András Merza is an international project manager and expert with a proven track record in planning, coordinating, and implementing numerous European Union-funded projects. He currently balances multiple key roles, serving as Chief of Operations at the Regional Information and Development Centre (RCISD) and at the Researchers' Night Foundation, and as a Project Manager at the Municipality of Dunaújváros.
Throughout his career, he has successfully managed initiatives across major EU frameworks, including Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, LIFE, Interreg Danube, and URBACT. His professional focus is heavily dedicated to sustainability, education, social inclusión, urban development, and regional innovation. András possesses deep expertise in contributing to complex evaluation, strategic, and policy processes, with a particular emphasis on knowledge sharing, impact assessment, and managing diverse multi-stakeholder partnerships. He has actively driven impactful international projects addressing social disparities, education, placemaking, resilience and gamification.
András holds a Master's degree in Development Policy Programme Management from the University of Public Service and a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from Pázmány Péter Catholic University. Committed to continuous professional growth in driving environmental transitions, he also completed a postgraduate specialization as a climate change expert at the University of Debrecen.
Alina Barysnikova
Calidad certificada PRINCE2 Project Manager | Integration Consultant
Alina Barysnikova is an experienced advisor and special consultant with over 15 years in integration, education, social services, and public administration. A certified PRINCE2 project manager, she has led cross-sectoral projects within the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration, municipalities, and regional administrations.
Her expertise spans refugee and migrant integration, youth and social work, prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, and systemic reform. She has worked extensively with vulnerable groups, including NEETs and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers, combining frontline service experience with policymaking and strategic development.
Alina holds a BA in Culture and Social Sciences from the University of Oslo with a specialization in Law and the Middle East and North Africa. She also pursued Women's Law and Human Derechos (UiO, 2007), deepening her knowledge of gender igualdad and legal frameworks, and earned an MA in Democracy Building from the University of Bergen.
Passionate about inclusión and women's rights, Alina works to safeguard vulnerable groups, promote cross-sectoral collaboration, and drive sustainable systemic change.
Athanasia Kanellou
HR Officer at European Investment Bank | Talent Acquisition Specialist
Athanasia Kanellou is a specialist in Social Health and Organisational Psychology (MSc), with a dedicated focus on Human Resources. She currently serves as an HR Officer at the European Investment Bank, where she focuses on Talent Acquisition.
Calidad certificada in Career Coaching, Athanasia empowers individuals to unlock their full potential by increasing self-awareness, identifying strengths and values, and guiding them toward finding fulfilling roles. Her research is rooted in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), with a particular emphasis on identity development, workplace inclusión, and the psychosocial well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals.