Essential Resources for Community Empowerment

Mr. Carlo Merla

Senior Development Expert, Mentor & Volunteer

Our advisory board is enriched by a senior development expert with extensive global experience in civil society, governance, and capacity-building initiatives. With leadership roles across Africa, Latin America, and Europe, including his current work leading the EU Civil Society Operational Facility, he brings a wealth of insight into strategic civil society engagement. His tenure as Chair of the Board of Directors for Publish What You Pay and leadership roles with NIRAS International Consulting, GIZ, and UNDP underline his commitment to strengthening civil society structures worldwide. His depth of experience in directing multi-donor funds and supporting policy development across countries like Botswana and Madagascar empowers our organization to effectively structure, fund, and evaluate our initiatives. His guidance is invaluable in refining our approaches to sustainable development, allowing us to draw on best practices and innovative strategies that support our mission and impact.

Mr. Matteo Locatelli

Educational Innovation Specialist, Partner Organisation President & Volunteer

Matteo Locatelli brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of education, digital innovation, and youth wellbeing. With dual Italian and German nationality, Matteo holds advanced degrees in Educational Planning and Clinical Pedagogy, and has specialized in adolescent development and the responsible use of technology. He has designed and led a wide range of innovative projects for children, families, and schools across northern Italy, focusing on digital literacy, cyberbullying prevention, social inclusion, and emotional wellbeing.

As Scientific Director and President of Logos Società Cooperativa Sociale, Matteo has pioneered initiatives such as “Digital Club” and “Bibliol@b,” fostering collaborative learning and curiosity through hands-on technology. He is a sought-after trainer and speaker, regularly engaging educators, parents, and students on topics from digital reputation to online safety and multichannel teaching. Matteo has collaborated with leading organizations, including Centro Studi Erickson and Inforcoop, and authored resources to support families navigating the digital age.

Currently serving as President of Associazione Mosaico Euro Africano Onlus, Matteo extends his commitment to humanitarian support in Africa. His expertise in educational innovation, youth empowerment, and digital pedagogy makes him a vital advisor for organizations seeking to promote wellbeing, inclusion, and resilience among young people in an ever-evolving digital world.

Mr. Ndanji David Leseted

Mobilization Advisor, Community Development & Capacity Building

Ndanji David Lesetedi is a highly experienced development consultant with over 15 years of expertise advancing inclusive practices for marginalized communities. Specializing in capacity building, stakeholder collaboration, and community engagement, Ndanji has led numerous initiatives to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of organizations in human rights, education, and social justice. With deep expertise in designing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, he ensures meaningful and impactful program outcomes. Through his work with local organizations, governments, and international partners, Ndanji fosters collaboration and empowers communities for long-term, sustainable development.

Mrs. Iwona Smierzchalska

Senior Development Expert, Mentor & Volunteer-

Iwona brings over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience across Africa and globally, blending expertise in sociology, anthropology, development planning, and engineering. She specializes in energy access, clean cooking, and infrastructure resilience for vulnerable and displaced communities. Iwona has led research and operational teams in both academia and the private sector, including heading research at Bboxx, a leading off-grid energy provider in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. Her work has shaped rural energy strategies and off-grid business models across Africa.

She has managed projects for NGOs in Madagascar and Ecuador and overseen global energy access and WASHprograms at Engineers Without Borders UK. Iwona’s research has influenced humanitarian energy interventions in East Africa and contributed to major projects in South Africa and Indonesia focused on community infrastructure and disaster resilience.

Her extensive, cross-sectoral leadership-especially in Africa-makes her a pivotal advisor on technological innovation, user-centric design, and sustainable development in resource-constrained environments.