Experience

WYG Consulting

• Croatia
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Consultant

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  Involved in business development, project management, preparation and implementation of analyses, feasibility studies and other documents in the field of regional development, education and digital education, labour market, integrated tourism development, urban development and other areas. Involved in business development, project management, preparation and implementation of analyses, feasibility studies and other documents in the field of regional development, education and digital education, labour market, integrated tourism development, urban development and other areas.



URBACT

• France
• International Affairs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• URBACT Lead expert

  • 2019 - Present

  Lead expert for URBACT programme (topics: integrated urban development, culture and art, local economic development, support to local governments in developing and implementing participatory policies) Lead expert for URBACT programme (topics: integrated urban development, culture and art, local economic development, support to local governments in developing and implementing participatory policies)



Karzen & Karzen d.o.o. www.karzenikarzen.hr

• Co-founder and Director

  • Mar 2007 - Present

  Co-owner and director of a regional economic and social development firm working in the areas of integrated urban development, sustainable tourism, interpretation of and management of cultural and natural resources, urban and social innovation. Specialized in EU project preparation and implementation, development of strategic and management plans, and feasibility studies. Successful in raising over 100 million euro for various efforts from EU and other funds and resources. Key partners and clients have included; UNDP, Regional/National government Ministries (Ministries of Economy, Regional Development and EU funds, Tourism, Environment and others), Numerous Directorates General of the European Commission, The international Red Cross and other.



Social Innovation Laboratory (SIL)

• Co-founder and President

  • Jan 2011 - Present

  As a pioneer of social innovation, established SIL, a non-profit organization based in Croatia in 2011, the first such organizations in the region. SIL has grown into an important organization and partner, providing support to social innovators but also working in the areas of research, education and policy. SIL was successful in preparing and implementing several transnational projects including: 1. Erasmus +, SIKE project (2018-2020) - exchange of knowledge in the field of social innovation. 2. INTERREG Danube Excellence in ReSTI project (2017-2020). Designed University accredited courses on social innovation and capacity development for innovation. http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/excellence-in-resti/section/resti-academy. 3. Horizon 2020 Social Innovation Community (2016-2019), 12 partners –developed a network of social innovators in Europe. Co-designed Manual for social innovation process and experimentation, SI Repository https://www.silearning.eu/. 4. FP7 project SI-Drive (2014-2017), 25 European and world-wide partners - mapping social innovations in various sectors (education, employment, poverty reduction, ecology, etc.). Mapped a total of 1005 examples of good practice from all regions of the world.



ACE International Consultants Adriatic

• Senior Associate Consultant

  • Mar 2013 - Aug 2014

  Managed ACE Adriatic on a sub-contract basis through Karzen and Karzen d.o.o. ACE Adriatic is a consulting firm that has provided technical support and services in the field of regional development and EU Funds in Croatia and the Western Balkan countries. ACE Adriatic is a subsidiary of ACE International Consultants SL. a Spanish consulting company operating worldwide since 1989. Managed ACE Adriatic on a sub-contract basis through Karzen and Karzen d.o.o. ACE Adriatic is a consulting firm that has provided technical support and services in the field of regional development and EU Funds in Croatia and the Western Balkan countries. ACE Adriatic is a subsidiary of ACE International Consultants SL. a Spanish consulting company operating worldwide since 1989.



The Urban Institute, USAID funded Local Government Reform Project

• Local Government Expert

  • Sep 2002 - Mar 2007

  Local government senior expert, working with over 100 national, regional and local governments and businesses in Croatia and SEE to advance their capacity and management operations in the areas of EU funds preparation, implementation and evaluation, strategic and business planning, financial management, procurement, ICT advancement, multi-sector cooperation etc. Designed and conducted training programmes and prepared training manuals. Local government senior expert, working with over 100 national, regional and local governments and businesses in Croatia and SEE to advance their capacity and management operations in the areas of EU funds preparation, implementation and evaluation, strategic and business planning, financial management, procurement, ICT advancement, multi-sector cooperation etc. Designed and conducted training programmes and prepared training manuals.



World Learning

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Project Manager

  • Sep 1998 - Sep 2002

  Managed the USAID-funded $2.5 million regional and country specific program on Women's Leadership for Economic and Political Empowerment in the post-Yugoslav region. Designed and managed the $1 million Small grants programme for women entrepreneurs in Serbia. Coordinated program, financial and administrative operation and supervised the staff of thirteen in six countries. Participated in the development of the informal network of women and women’ groups in the region. Managed the USAID-funded $2.5 million regional and country specific program on Women's Leadership for Economic and Political Empowerment in the post-Yugoslav region. Designed and managed the $1 million Small grants programme for women entrepreneurs in Serbia. Coordinated program, financial and administrative operation and supervised the staff of thirteen in six countries. Participated in the development of the informal network of women and women’ groups in the region.