Maria Spiliotopoulou

I am specialized in developing and managing environmental and sustainability projects, mainly for environmental NGOs, but also for the private sector and local public administration: information campaigns on sustainability, environmental education programs, wildlife protection projects, cause-related fundraising events, research studies and papers on specific environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable community development, and many more.

My studies and work so far have contributed to my becoming familiar with the working procedures of the European Union as well as the EU funding instruments, especially those intended for the development and implementation of sustainability projects of national, regional and local scale. As an environmental legal consultant and a fundraiser for the environmental sector, I have actively participated in the preparation of funding proposals for submission to the EU and other organizations, foundations and institutions.

In addition, I have gained experience in designing and implementing CSR and cause-related marketing environmental projects, through which I developed high project & event management and communication skills.
I participate, as a volunteer, in activities and fundraising events for Greek environmental and humanitarian NGOs.

My book on the EU law on environmental impact (2005) may be consulted in several prestigious libraries around Europe (Panteion University in Athens, Université de Strasbourg, European Court of Justice, Peace Palace Library in The Hague) and may also be bought from amazon.fr.

Today, my objective is to be involved in the current research which seeks to bridge the existing gap between planning and implementing sustainability action plans. I aspire to contribute to the exploration of practical tools that will motivate and assist communities toward sustainable development and prosperity.

My new adventure and challenge is my PhD at the School of Resource and Environmental Management of Simon Fraser University (British Columbia, Canada), where I will be working on issues of sustainable community development.