About Us

Rania is a Human Rights Expert specializing in youth participation and climate action. She holds advanced degrees in Human Rights and Global Ethics (University of Leicester) and Southeast European Studies (NKUA). By being the Chair of the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum, a Collaborator at the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy, and a PhD Candidate at NKUA, she is driving impactful initiatives at the intersection of human rights and climate diplomacy.

Evangelos Pastras (CEng MBA), a senior consultant in the UK Energy Storage industry at DNV, from a Civil & Environmental engineering background with a strong track record in project development, contract negotiations, and procurement. A dedicated climate advocate, Angelos has been actively involved in international climate conferences, serving as a delegate at COP26, COP27, COP28 and COP29. As a member of the Young Engineers / Future Leaders Working Group on climate action for the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO), he contributed to the development and advocacy of the first Joint Youth Statement at COP26.

Currently leading the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Youth Action group, Angelos is committed to promoting the SET agenda through tangible and measurable actions. He is also a UK Institute of Civil Engineers Carbon Champion, focusing on optimizing energy storage foundation design while reducing emissions within his 300MW portfolio.

Natalia serves as Head of Operations at the Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum for Southeast Europe, driven by a passion for sustainability, international cooperation, and youth empowerment. With a background in Political Science and Public Administration and an MSc in South-East European Studies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Natalia has gained hands-on experience in governance, diplomacy, and climate policy. Having worked with the Hellenic Parliament, ELIAMEP, and major international conferences, she is committed to creating opportunities for young people to engage in climate diplomacy and policy-making. Through leadership roles in organizations like UniAI and the SOA Greek Hub, she has worked to foster collaboration and innovative solutions for regional and global challenges. Believing in the power of youth-driven change, she is dedicated to building networks and initiatives that empower the next generation of climate leaders in Southeast Europe and beyond.

Eirini is a PhD researcher at Imperial College London where she is working on energy transition policy for the UK. She is a passionate advocate for youth representation in decision-making, which led her to create Sustainability for Students in 2021. Since, she has been recognised as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador by the European Commission in Greece and a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum in London. She is currently leading the Greek Council's Projects & Campaigns Team, working on operationalising the Forum's presence in the 13 represented economies.

Raised in Dubai, Milan champions global citizenship, driven by his multicultural background and passion for travel, storytelling, and community-building. With experience collaborating with international organizations and organizing events, he fosters conversations on youth empowerment and diverse perspectives for sustainable growth.

He holds a Bachelor's in Diplomacy and Security Studies from Belgrade and is pursuing a Master's in Political Theory, specializing in Globalization and Conflict Management, at the Universities of Ljubljana and Warsaw.

Milan advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to addressing global challenges, breaking down barriers, and amplifying young voices. His work reflects a commitment to innovative, collaborative solutions for a more interconnected and sustainable world.

Ivana Milićević is a PhD student in International and European Studies at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade. She is a Research Assistant at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory at the University of Belgrade, where she is primarily focused on researching processes of regional and European integration in the Balkans. During her engagement as a Project Coordinator at Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute (RERI), she worked on projects focused on improving environmental, energy and climate policies in Serbia and the Western Balkans, advocating alignment with international standards and commitments, and coordinated a youth educational programme in this field in 2023 and 2024. She is also a member of the Research Forum of the European movement in Serbia, where she focuses on policy research and monitoring of EU integration process.

Hello, my name is Aleksandra, and I am a new team member of Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum (YCDF) Serbia. I hold master’s degrees in HR management and environmental management & sustainable development. My work focuses on empowering youth, through professional orientation and educational environmental projects.

My main goal is to support and inspire young people, foster international networking and cooperation through various initiatives, and contribute to environmental protection and improvement. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing outdoor sports, traveling, and exploring nature.

I am 25 and I just finished my Master’s studies in Tokyo where I researched environmental economics. I am interested in the way the environment can and should be protected in today’s fast-developing world, more specifically how it’s acknowledgement as a finite and irreplaceable resource can help us rethink current systems of governance and economics. In my free time I love to go climbing, swimming, and traveling as much as possible. I am also a big fan of older alternative rock and electronic music.

Florent is a dedicated researcher specializing in water use and efficiency in agricultural production, as well as the environmental impact of agricultural practices. His work focuses on optimizing water management through remote sensing, crop modelling, and GIS-based analysis. He is particularly interested in applying satellite imagery and environmental data to enhance precision agriculture and sustainable resource use.
Florent is currently pursuing his PhD in Environmental Sciences at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where he integrates remote sensing techniques with water balance modelling for field assessment. He holds an MSc in Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering (University of Debrecen, Hungary) and a BSc in Crop Production (University of Prishtina, Kosovo). He is proficient in tools such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, Python, and AquaCrop, and is fluent in English and Albanian.
Beyond research, Florent enjoys playing football, running, and cycling.

Afërdita Shala is a dedicated professional specializing in forestry, environmental sciences, and youth capacity development. She holds a degree in Forest and Environmental Sciences and an MSc in Forest Sciences, she brings extensive expertise to environmental projects, afforestation planning, and conservation initiatives.
Currently, Afërdita works as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Prizren while also managing projects that promote environmental education and youth empowerment. Her experience spans in forest management, environmental protection, and sustainable planning for both urban and rural landscapes. She excels in project coordination, research, and fostering the growth of young professionals through capacity-building efforts.
Afërdita is driven by a passion for problem-solving, creative learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys hiking, exploring innovative ideas, and unwinding with music.
Her unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and education underscores her significant contributions to her field.

Ferdane is an innovative Food Technologist and former Food Inspector with a deep commitment to Food Safety, Sustainability, and Technological advancement in the Food Industry. With a strong foundation in food science, quality control, and regulatory compliance, Ferdane has worked to ensure the highest safety standards in Food Production while addressing the pressing challenges of Climate Change and Global Food Security.

Driven by a passion for research and innovation, Ferdane is currently focused on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Food Systems, aiming to revolutionize Food Production, quality assurance, and supply chain optimization. Through cutting-edge AI applications, such as predictive analytics, automated food safety monitoring, and smart manufacturing, Ferdane envisions a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable Food Industry.

In addition, Ferdane is working on bringing to market a groundbreaking AI-driven food innovation that focuses on developing affordable, micronutrient-rich plant-based products. By leveraging AI-powered solutions, this initiative seeks to enhance product formulation, optimize resource use, and reduce environmental impact—bridging the gap between technology and nutrition to create a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable food system.

With expertise in Food Safety, Climate-Smart Food Production, and AI-driven innovation, Ferdane is dedicated to shaping the future of food through interdisciplinary research and transformative solutions.

Alina Alexandru is a Romanian political journalist with a deep connection to civic activism, where her main focus is climate change and democratic participation. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and European Studies at the West University of Timișoara, with a focus on security studies, European integration, and sustainable governance.

Actively involved in civil society from a young age, Alina has led and contributed to initiatives advancing climate action, democratic values, and youth engagement in the decision making process. Her everyday work is grounded in a commitment to public accountability, democratic values, and building a greener, more responsible and resilient Southeast Europe.

Elena‑Alexandra Miron is a Romanian climate policy expert and youth advocate with over eight years of experience at the nexus of sustainability, governance, and civic empowerment. She is the Founder and President of the Youth Platform for Sustainability, guiding national programs that empower young people to shape environmental and climate policy. Across government, research, and civil society, her work has engaged hundreds of young people through technical training, advocacy, and educational initiatives.

Elena-Alexandra plays an active role in the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) ecosystem. In 2024, she contributed to organizing LCOY Romania, where the First National Youth Declaration on Climate Change with the support of the Government of Romania, calling for enhanced climate education, biodiversity protection, emissions reduction, and green innovation

As a researcher at the Energy Policy Group, she investigates decarbonisation strategies for buildings and hard‑to‑abate sectors, with a strong emphasis on social equity. Previously, she supported climate finance and just‑transition strategies at Romania’s Ministry of Investments and has represented Romanian youth at three UN Climate Conferences (COPs). Her work consistently amplifies youth voices in policy and diplomacy.

Deeply committed to inclusive, evidence‑based climate action, she views YCDF as a strategic platform to co‑create resilient, just, and locally rooted climate solutions across Southeast Europe. Elena‑Alexandra is eager to apply her expertise and collaborate with regional youth leaders to shape a sustainable, equitable future.

Başak Almaz is a PhD candidate and a research assistant in English literature. Her academic work focuses on climate change, animal studies, and multispecies justice. In addition to her research, she is actively involved in raising climate awareness and promoting climate literacy among youth. She develops educational content, writes project proposals, and mentors undergraduate students in climate and sustainability-related projects. Her interdisciplinary approach combines literature, ethics, and ecological thought to explore how literary narratives shape our understanding of the more-than-human world. She is committed to fostering critical thinking and action on environmental issues within and beyond academia.

I am a political science Master's student and a member of Youth Network No Excuse Slovenia for four years. My position as youth worker has allowed me to connect with young people and create projects to educate and engage them on the topic of the environment and sustainable development.