strategy group
At the very heart of the Initiative are 30 outstanding individuals from 20 countries. They form the Strategy Group and work as civil society actors in culture, politics, research and media, at universities or in the business sector. The Strategy Group is responsible for the conceptual development and dissemination of the idea of A Soul for Europe through projects and initiatives.
Co-founder and speaker for the Strategy Group is Nele Hertling.
Steve Austen, permanent fellow of the 
Nicolas Bertrand is Executive Manager of 
Stephanie Bonnici, b.1996 is a Theatre Studies graduate, having finished her undergraduate degree at the 
Andreas Bock, born in 1978, studied Cultural and Social Sciences at the Freie Universität Berlin, the UC Berkeley and the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder). He is currently working for the 
Lirak Çelaj is an actor, director and script writer. He has co-founded and co-directed 
Giusy Chierchia graduated in 2005 at the University of Milan with a master thesis on “Multicultural theatre in Amsterdam as a tool of integration”. Since 2003 she is living in Amsterdam, now working as a project manager for ReKult. She has a master degree in European Studies at the International School for Humanities and Social Sciences with a thesis about the role of civil society in filling the EU democratic deficit. She also accomplished the European Diploma in Cultural Management at the Foundation Marcel-Hicter where she developed a research about how cultural NGOs can become more sustainable. Her main fields of expertise are cross border cultural cooperations, European integration and civil society initiatives.
Dina Čubrić (Cultural Center GRAD Belgrade, Serbia) was born in 1989 in Kraljevo, Serbia. Finished BA studies at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology (Department for Comparative Literature) as a student of generation. She recieved MA Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies as category A Scholarship student in GEMMA Erasmus Mundus Program on the topic of feminist sci-fi novels and Deleuze’s concepts of body and sexuality. She was an active member of queer collective activist group in Bologna, participated on many academic international conferences, lectures and summer schools on feminism, politics, sexuality, human rights and cultural activism. Currently living in Belgrade where she works in Cultural Center Grad as a program assistant, she simultaneously works on independent projects about urban biking and literary criticism, as well as an inedependant scholar in the field of feminism, queer theory and cultural studies.
Kathrin Deventer is Secretary General of the 
Marijn works at the European Commission on communication, cultural policy, audiovisual policy and support to news media. He previously worked at 
Guido Ferilli is a researcher and publisher on the issues of culture-led local development. He has performed consultancy roles for several public administrations in Italy and abroad. He is often participating in scientific and creative residencies at prestigious cultural institutions in Italy and abroad, presenting at scientific conferences worldwide and is the managing director of several international projects.
Nele Hertling is co-founder of the initiative “A Soul for Europe”. 1963-1988 she was Research Associate at the Academy of Arts in Berlin (West). Furthermore, she was artistic director of “Berlin – Cultural Capital of Europe, 1988”. From 1989 to 2003 she was director of the Hebbel Theatre in Berlin and artistic director of the “Theater der Welt” festival (1999). From 2003 to 2007 she was head of the DAAD’s Artists-in-Residence programme. Since 2006 she has been Vice-President of the 
Noémi Kiss is a Hungarian writer, whose works have been translated to English, German, Bulgarian, Romanian and Serbian. Kiss studied Comparative literature, Sociology and Hungarian Studies at the University of Konstanz in Germany, and at the University of Miskolc in Hungary, where she has been lecturer since 2000. She received her PhD at the University of Miskolc in 2003. She regularly publishes short stories and essays in Hungarian and German. From December 2013 to May 2014 she was a writer in residence of the Literaturhaus Zurich and the Stiftung PWG (foundation for affordable housing) in Zurich.
Satu Kuitunen is Economics and International Relations student from Finland, currently residing and studying in Aberdeen, Scotland after one year of exploration in London. She is running the
Ruggero Lala is international programme officer at the 
Valeria Marcolin is a freelance consultant and project manager for different cultural organizations in Europe, specialising in international relations, networking and fundraising project development. Her missions include prospect activities, dialogue with political institutions and representatives, animation of working groups, project writing, advising in communication, media and building partnerships strategy as a project organiser. She was General Secretary of the European network Union of the Theatres of Europe after being its communication and PR manager.
Susana Marques is co-founder and director of 
Miguel Ángel Martín Ramos is counsellor in European, cultural and social affairs for the European Academy of 
Frédéric is Advisor for the Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels (BOZAR) where he works on European projects, both in the artistic and political fields. Previously he worked as a consultant at KEA European Affairs and dealt with cultural policies in Europe including creative industries development or minority languages protection. He has collaborated with a wide range of European networks and projects promoting culture at European level. Frédéric holds a master in European Politics as well as in translation.
Simon Mundy is a writer and cultural policy adviser based in Scotland. He has written more than 20 books (including poetry and novels). He has chaired or been a board member of many arts organisations and was a co-founder of 
Kaspars Rūklis is an International Communication Trainer and Consultant. He has worked for the Estonia-Latvia cross-border programme in Tartu, Estonia, for the library development project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the U.S. Embassy in Riga. He likes to share his knowledge and experience as an Advocacy and Communication Trainer for public organizations in Europe and Africa. Kaspars holds a master’s degree in Communication Science from the University of Latvia.
Bernhard Schneider is co-founder and former thematic co-ordinator of “A Soul for Europe”. The architect, planner, author and translator worked as consultant to the Senate of Berlin and co-operator with Berlin Partners, the Capital City’s Marketing Company. From 1981 to 1989 he was executive planning officer with the Senators of Urban Development and of Cultural Affairs, Berlin and from 1991 to 1995 member of the steering committee of Stadtforum Berlin.
Ben Schofield is Leverhulme Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in German and Comparative Literature at King’s College, London. He studied at the Universities of Cambridge, Sheffield, Passau and Utrecht, and has taught German and Dutch literature and history at Cambridge University and the 
Fruzsina Szép is Festival Director of Berlin Festival since fall 2014 and Board member of Yourope and the European Festival Association. From 2009 until 2014 she was Program and artist director of Sziget Festival. Additionally, Fruzsina is former director of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Brussels and music currator in several Hungarian Cultural Seasons. She is also lecturer at several universities.
Farid Tabarki is a researcher, writer, presenter and entrepreneur. He has worked several years for Coolpolitics, a Dutch civic social organisation that encourages younger generations to shape and develop their role as citizens – and founded the organisation 
Dejan Ubović studied anthropology and project management in Belgrade. He works as a journalist and cultural manager and is director of the NGO 
Ata Ünal is a theater dramaturg, director and theoretician based in Istanbul. Holds a doctoral degree in dramaturgy and a masters degree on artificial intelligence / neural networks and image processing. He worked as an initiator, project designer, consultant, and project manager in various international cultural and artistic projects. He teaches “Dramaturgy”, “Staging”, “Theater Aesthetics” and alike in a number of public and private universities both as a full time Ass. Professor and a lecturer. He also is an active, independent theater maker as a dramaturg and director, with works staged internationally and nationally. He is the founder of “ITU Players” and “Theory Workshop” an off-academy research group on artistic and theoretical issues.
Pilar Velasco was born in Madrid, where she later studied journalism. She has been working for Cadena SER, the Spanish national leader radio station, since 2006. Velasco is a News editor and a frequent speaker on topics related to journalism, politics and new media. She has unfolded and covered some of the most relevant spanish political, economic and social issues. Because of her work, she has received the Award for Personal Compromise from Urban Debates Club. Recently, she became member of The New Narratives for Europe, an European Cultural Commission project. She also collaborates for various digital media and TV channels.
Yuriy Vulkovsky is cultural researcher and cultural manager. Since 1994 he has been involved in a number of research and action projects in the field of cultural policy and social impact of the arts. Since 2004 he has been teaching cultural policy in Bulgaria and in 2005 he created the first Bulgarian web site for cultural policy. Since March 2008 he is executive director of the Sofia-based independent NGO Altera.
Rariţa Zbranca is arts manager, curator and cultural activist. She is director and co-founder of the 
Jordi Pardo graduated in 1982 at the University of Barcelona on Classical Archaeology and with a Diploma of Advanced Studies on Cultural on Arts. He has an Executive Master in Public Administration by ESADE Business School. He is lecturer in different universities on cultural management. He is an International expert in cultural projects and urban renewal. During the last 20 years he has directed and advised more than 120 projects in Barcelona and other cities in Europe, America and Asia. He is Director General at Pablo Casals Foundation, Vice chair to “
Özlem Cengel- Götzelt is an international project manager and an independent curator. She studied Business Administration in Istanbul, as well as Advertising, Film and Television Studies in London. She worked for many years in Istanbul for both national and international companies such as Garanti Bank as Vice President of Advertising and Public relations. In 2009, she then moved to Berlin where, until 2013, she collaborated with the project space TANAS Berlin, which presented Turkish contemporary art, managed by René Block. Overall, she took part, as an intercultural project manager and curator, in various international art projects and exhibitions such as: ‘’Beyond Belonging – III ‘Almancı! Film and Theatre Festival 2009 Berlin & Istanbul’ , ‘Diyalog Theaterfest 2010’ at Ballhaus Naunynstrasse, Berlin, ‘Heute hier – Bugün burada’ in 2013 at Haus am Kleitspark, Berlin, ‘Self-Translation’ in 2016 at GlogauAir, Berlin. Özlem Cengel – Götzelt is also the founder of Berlin based multidisciplinary and transcultural art association Artz4 e.V.
Yves Mettler’s work aim at building a sense for today’s global urbanisation processes. His work ranges from interventions in the public space to sound installations. The works present a narrative fabric based on the urban environment and tends towards a polyphonic, emotional, and often humorous expression. Since 2003 he develops a research & art practice around urban places called “
Diva Ricevuto was born in Palermo in 1962, she grew up in the US and Milan and currently lives in Rome. She graduated in Industrial Design at ISIA Roma. Since 2011, she is a Civil Mediator. In 2012, she obtained a Master Degree with cum laude in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from the e-Campus University in Novedrate, Milan. She is member of the Coordination Council Board of Sulleregole Association of Milan, and, since 2013, operates as rapporteur and trainer with teachers, children, families as well as in Universities on topics such as the Italian Constitution, human dignity, human rights and how to build a better Europe. In 2014, she also started to be a tutor and senior member of the Young Leaders think tank at the Luigi Sturzo Institute in Rome and took over the project “Founding Mothers of Europe”. The YL are now carrying on with the United Europe Dialogues public Conferences. From 2015 to 2018 she has been spokeswomen for both Sturzo Institute and Sulleregole Association to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) to hence contribute to Italy´s Seventh Periodic Report to the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women). Since 2018 she is in the Scientific Committee of Dialogues in Spoleto -women’s free speech space- at the Spoleto Festival.
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strategy group
At the very heart of the Initiative are 30 outstanding individuals from 20 countries. They form the Strategy Group and work as civil society actors in culture, politics, research and media, at universities or in the business sector. The Strategy Group is responsible for the conceptual development and dissemination of the idea of A Soul for Europe through projects and initiatives.
Co-founder and speaker for the Strategy Group is Nele Hertling.
network
From its bases in Amsterdam, Belgrade, Berlin, Brussels, Porto and Tbilisi, the “A Soul for Europe” initiative is developing an international network of European cities and regions, the cultural sector, the private sector, and European policy-makers. We link change-makers from civil society with representatives from all levels of governance, developing projects that ensure Europe makes use of its cultural assets and creative potential. For the past years, ‘A Soul for Europe’ has been gaining the support of well-known and passionately engaged politicians, artists and intellectuals. Have a look at what some of them have to say in our online debate. We are also cooperating with other civil society organizations that are using culture to support the European integration process. Find a map with all our associated partners here.
network
From its bases in Amsterdam, Belgrade, Berlin, Brussels, Porto and Tbilisi, the “A Soul for Europe” initiative is developing an international network of European cities and regions, the cultural sector, the private sector, and European policy-makers. We link change-makers from civil society with representatives from all levels of governance, developing projects that ensure Europe makes use of its cultural assets and creative potential. For the past years, ‘A Soul for Europe’ has been gaining the support of well-known and passionately engaged politicians, artists and intellectuals. Have a look at what some of them have to say in our online debate. We are also cooperating with other civil society organizations that are using culture to support the European integration process. Find a map with all our associated partners here.
advisory board
The initiative is supported by an influential Advisory Board chaired by David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament. Other members include Hans-Gert Pöttering (former EP President), Erhard Busek (Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe) and a number of former and current Members of the European Parliament from different countries and political parties such as Elmar Brok, Michael Cramer, Maria Badia i Cutchet, Tanja Fajon, Jo Leinen, Arne Lietz, Morten Lokkegaard, Doris Pack, Hannes Sowboda and Secretary-General of the EP, Klaus Welle.
Chairman:
David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament
Co-chairs:
Silvia Costa, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education in the EP
Doris Pack, former Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education in the EP
Members:
Erhard Busek, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe and a
number of former and current Members of the European Parliament from
different countries and political parties.
advisory board
The initiative is supported by an influential Advisory Board chaired by Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament. Other members include Hans-Gert Pöttering (former EP President), Erhard Busek (Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe) and a number of former and current Members of the European Parliament from different countries and political parties such as Elmar Brok, Michael Cramer, Maria Badia i Cutchet, Tanja Fajon, Jo Leinen, Arne Lietz, Morten Lokkegaard, Doris Pack, Hannes Sowboda and Secretary-General of the EP, Klaus Welle.
Chairman:
Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament
Co-chairs:
Silvia Costa, Chair of the Committe on Culture and Education in the EP
Doris Pack, former Chair of the Committe on Culture and Education in the EP
Members:
Erhard Busek, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe and a
number of former and current Members of the European Parliament from
different countries and political parties.
structure
“A Soul for Europe” works from four base points hosted by international organisations:
- Genootschap Felix Meritis / Felix Meritis Foundation in Amsterdam,
- Stiftung Zukunft Berlin in Berlin,
- European House for Culture in Brussels and
- Setepés in Porto.
GRAD – Cultural Front in Belgrade and the Stichting Caucasus Foundation in Tbilisi are associated partners.
Our decentralised working structure is also reflected on a legal level: “A Soul for Europe” has its seat as a European Interest Economic Group (ASfE EEIG) in Brussels. The Board of managers of the EEIG includes Steve Austen, Hugo de Greef and Volker Hassemer (Chairman).
structure
“A Soul for Europe” works from four base points hosted by international organisations:
- Genootschap Felix Meritis / Felix Meritis Foundation in Amsterdam,
- Stiftung Zukunft Berlin in Berlin,
- European House for Culture in Brussels and
- Setepés in Porto.
GRAD – Cultural Front in Belgrade and the Stichting Caucasus Foundation in Tbilisi are associated partners.
Our decentralised working structure is also reflected on a legal level: “A Soul for Europe” has its seat as a European Interest Economic Group (ASfE EEIG) in Brussels. The Board of managers of the EEIG includes Steve Austen, Hugo de Greef and Volker Hassemer (Chairman).