The mandate of the current board will finish at the General Assembly of ENYC in 2026.
Nadia MARINOVA – President
International youth center (BULGARIA)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadia Marinova has been elected President since the establishment of the youth at ENYC in 2003. She is responsible of creating the link between ENYC’s members and the European youth policies, good practices, youth events, policy makers and of promoting the Council of Europe values. Nadia Marinova is an Associate Professor at the New Bulgarian University in Project Management for Sustainable Development. She has been working in the field of youth since 2003 appointing her as Director of the Youth Directorate at the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bulgaria. During this period she was also chairman of the selection committee for
the Youth program.
From 2008 to 2018 she worked as an External Expert Evaluator in the program “Youth in Action” at the Ministry of Education and Science. She is the chairman of the Bulgarian network “Major” which has 10 NGOs from all over the country. So far she has implemented over 100 international youth projects and for over 20 years has consulted various municipalities, universities, NGOs in the field of youth and youth policy.
Sami SORJONEN – Vice-President
Finnish Youth Centres Association (FINLAND)
Gurkan Akcaer – General Secretary
S&G – System and Generation Association (TÜRKİYE)
Gürkan Akçaer, Head of Turkish Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures, dcdicated for Learning Oriented Motilities and Inter-cultural Dialogue
Mr Akçaer’s background in public sector includes Senior Expertise on Project Development and EU Law. He worked as Senior Expert and Lecturer/Assessor/Voting Committee Member in the field of Project Cycle Management-PCM for years.
Specialized in PCM, Assessment of EU Funded Projects and Regional Developments Project, Published a Book about PCM Step by Step Project Writing with Turkish National Agency.
Specialized on implementation of the EU’s Acquis Communautaire into National Laws including “law drafting” and “law approximation techniques” of the EU Law. Worked as Lecturer at Legal Harmonisation of EU Law at Ankara University and Nankai University, PRC.
Specialized in Social Funds and micro projects in social fund context. The experience is ranged from teaching and organising seminars in the fields of Youth and Women, Co-ordination of training programmes on NGO capacity building and social development projects and partnership, networking. Experience in difîerent levels of NGO management including accounting, financial planning, strategic planning, human resources management, public relations, and executive management.
He has been actively involved in Erasmus+ Youth Motilities since 2004. He is founder of S&G Turkey and S&G International Brussels, Legal Representative of Ankara Social Innovation Youth Centre.
Antonino Imbesi – Board Member
EURO-NET (ITALY)
E-mail: imbesi@memex.it
Professional Profile and Expertise
Antonino Imbesi is a highly experienced expert in European project development, management, and coordination, with over 25 years of professional experience in EU-funded programmes. He has been involved in more than 600 European projects, taking on key roles as project manager, coordinator, trainer, researcher, technician, tutor, and consultant.
He has extensive expertise across major EU programmes such as Erasmus+, LLP, Youth in Action, Leonardo da Vinci, and others, with strong competencies in youth, education, entrepreneurship, social inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainability projects.
Imbesi has also contributed as a lecturer in various Master’s programmes and training courses, sharing his knowledge on European project design and management. His long-standing leadership role as Director of EUROPE DIRECT Basilicata and his involvement in numerous European networks highlight his strong capacity in international cooperation, strategic planning, and capacity building.
Roland BANHEGYI – Treasurer
Elected on 06 October 2022
Roland Bánhegyi, Mgr. is an educator, facilitator, and communications professional with extensive experience in public relations, youth development, and international cooperation. He studied in Slovakia and abroad, earning a degree in Management from the University of Prešov and completing supplementary teacher training at DTI College.
Before transitioning to education, Roland spent many years in the waste management sector as a PR Manager and Spokesperson, leading media relations, corporate communications, marketing campaigns, international partnerships, and major events. Since 2015, he has been working with the Regional Youth Center, where he designs and delivers workshops, trainings, and educational projects for young people. He is actively involved in Erasmus+ initiatives and international youth networks, promoting non-formal education and cross-cultural collaboration across Europe.
– Board Member
Centre for Social innovation
Centre for Social Innovation (CROATIA)
Tanja Herceg (mag.psych.) is an expert in EU policies, psychologist, and programme manager with over ten years of experience in leading European projects, advising institutions, practical engagement in the youth and youth information sector, and developing youth and civil society policies.
She currently serves as President of the Professional Organisation for Youth Work in Europe (POYWE) and as Coordinator of the Europe Goes Local Working Group “Mapping the needs of stakeholders” under the cooperation with the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency for the Belgian National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps (JINT). At ERYICA she previously served as Acting Director. She was also an expert in the Council of Europe’s Drafting Group for the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation on Peace Education, and a member of the Steering Group of the Youth Participation Strategy of SALTO Participation and Information.
Tanja served as Croatia’s first UN Youth Delegate, representing the country at the United Nations Headquarters on topics of climate change, youth inclusion, and civic engagement, including at the Youth Climate Summit and CONUN in Brussels. She also served as President of the Advisory Board of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on the topic of youth.
In Croatia, she is a city council member in Daruvar. Through the Centre for Social Innovation, she bridges the nonprofit, public, and innovation sectors, fostering cross-sectoral partnerships and connecting community-level youth work practice with broader social and policy change at the European level.
Dubravko Sopar- Board Member
Dubravko Šopar is a distinguished board member with a strong background in economics and extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Holding a degree in economics, Šopar has dedicated his career to the promotion and development of youth programs and policies. He serves as the Executive Director of Impress, an organization focused on the positive affirmation of youth in society, where he oversees all operations, project management, and the creation and maintenance of international partnerships.
As a prominent advocate, Šopar has actively contributed to the creation and implementation of several significant youth programs, including the National Youth Program, the Youth Program of the City of Zagreb, the Youth Program of Dubrava Municipality, and the Youth Program of Bjelovarsko-bilogorska County. His work in these areas highlights his commitment to enhancing the lives of young people through structured and impactful policies.
In addition to his roles at Impress, Šopar is the Director of the Center for Social Innovations, where he leads efforts in project management, human resources, and strategic planning. His expertise extends to the European Network of Youth Centers, where he is a member of the Board of Directors, contributing to the network’s mission of supporting youth centers across Europe.
Šopar’s work in blockchain technology is notable through his partnership with House of Blockchain (HoB) in Zagreb, a leading coworking space dedicated to blockchain, web3, and cryptocurrency innovators. At HoB, he fosters a community of entrepreneurs and provides essential resources and support for blockchain-based projects.
Furthermore, Šopar is an accomplished mentor, working with young entrepreneurs and guiding them through their professional development. His experience as a sports pilot adds a unique dimension to his mentoring, emphasizing discipline, precision, and leadership.
As a trainer for the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA), Šopar leverages his extensive knowledge to train and support youth information workers across Europe. His involvement in ERYICA underlines his dedication to empowering youth through accurate and accessible information.
Dubravko Šopar’s multifaceted career and his unwavering commitment to youth development, policy advocacy, and innovative technologies make him a key figure in the realm of youth empowerment and community leadership.