Meet the Change-Makers

Meet the President: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadia Marinova A pioneer in youth advocacy, Dr. Marinova has led the ENYC since 2003. Whether serving as a Director at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, evaluating “Youth in Action” programs, or teaching at New Bulgarian University, her mission remains the same: empowering youth through sustainable projects. With over two decades of experience and 100+ successful international projects, she continues to guide NGOs and municipalities in shaping the future of European youth policy.

Gürkan Akçaer | Head of ALF Turkish Network & Founder of S&G

A dedicated expert in EU Law and Project Cycle Management (PCM) with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of S&G International and Head of the Anna Lindh Foundation Turkish Network, he specializes in intercultural dialogue and learning-oriented mobilities. A published author on project writing, Mr. Akçaer has served as a senior expert, lecturer, and assessor for numerous EU-funded initiatives. His expertise spans NGO capacity building, social innovation, and the strategic management of social development projects.

Heli Board Coordinator, ENYC

With a career in the youth sector spanning since 1997, Heli leads the European Network of Youth Centres (ENYC) board, focusing on network development and mission fulfillment. Representing the Council of Europe Quality Labeled Villa Elba Youth Centre (Finland), she heads the pedagogical team to innovate environmental, social, and international youth work methods. A Bachelor of Arts graduate and management specialist, Heli is also a skilled polyglot, working as a translator and interpreter across multiple languages, including Scandinavian, English, and Russian.

Dubravko Šopar | ENYC Board Member & Executive Director of Impress

An economist and distinguished leader in the non-profit sector, Dubravko Šopar specializes in youth policy development and social innovation. As the Executive Director of Impress and Director of the Center for Social Innovations, he has been instrumental in shaping national and regional youth programs in Croatia. Beyond policy, he is a community builder in the blockchain and Web3 space through his partnership with the House of Blockchain (HoB). A certified ERYICA trainer and mentor, he combines his strategic expertise with the discipline of a sports pilot to empower the next generation of European entrepreneurs and youth workers.