Speakers Speakers (1st Bootcamp. Oct 7-8. Porto)

Olivier Schulbaum is co-founder of Fundación Platoniq, founder of the School of Creativity and Democracy, co-founder of the crowdvocacy platform Goteo, and a board member of the civic watchdog organisation Civio. He contributes to Horizon Europe projects such as INSPIRE, SOILTRIBES, and RECHARGE, applying arts-based and intersectional methods to inclusive policymaking. His work combines platform governance, creative participation, and community-driven innovation, with a focus on fostering democratic resilience and amplifying the voices of marginalised groups.

His work and interviews have been published in the Wilder Journal, an open research and practice journal on democracy, participation, and democratic innovation.

Stephania Xydia is an expert in Socio-Cultural Transformations at ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the leading global network of over 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future. She manages EU research & innovation projects at the intersection of culture, democracy and sustainability, supporting local governments in integrating social and cultural considerations into climate action. In the past, she has worked with cultural organisations in 11 countries, supporting libraries, theatres and NGOs to enhance their relevance, reach and resilience. Born in Athens and raised in Luxembourg, she is a Cambridge University graduate with an MA in Cultural Policy & Management from City University London. 

Diversity management, change processes, science outreach and communication at European Citizen Science Association (ECSA )

I am a Sudanese refugee and a dedicated accountant with a strong eye for detail and a passion for financial management. I bring experience in supporting organizations with budgeting, reporting, and strategic planning. I am particularly interested in contributing to soil democracy and sustainable land management. I’m excited to be part of this Bootcamp to grow, connect, and contribute to impactful initiatives.

I am a social entrepreneur dedicated to creating and supporting projects with a strong social impact. With my company, we create digital solutions that put people at the center.

James Mercé Edwards is a Regenerative Design specialist helping schools, organizations, communities, and individuals thrive by applying nature-based solutions to human needs. Over three decades, he has focused on crafting strategies that support social and environmental wellbeing while achieving operational efficiency and profitability. James is bi-cultural and bilingual (Spanish-American). He holds an M.Sc. in Eco-Social Design, a B.A. in Diplomacy and Political History, and is a certified Permaculture Designer and Teacher. He is currently Adjunct Faculty and Academic Advisor at Gaia U International, and the former Executive Director of Drylands Agroecology Research.

George Krikris studied Psychology at the University of Athens and specialized in counseling children with autism and learning difficulties. He has worked at SOS Children’s Villages as a psychologist and later as an educator at the IEK Akmi Educational Group. He has served as a coordinator of European Programs in the field of Vocational Education and Training as well as Circular Economy. For six consecutive years, he was Deputy Mayor of Nea Smyrni, responsible for the municipality’s sanitation and recycling. He has participated in a series of conferences focused on engaging young people in issues related to climate change and respect for biodiversity.

Lot Amorós is a seed researcher and technologist focused on ecological restoration, robotics, and open-source innovation. He has developed tools for large-scale seed dispersal and ecosystem restoration, combining drones, robotics, and seed science. His work bridges art, science, and activism to foster environmental resilience and community-driven solutions.

Sara Di Lonardo is an environmental biologist at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRET). She studies how ecosystems respond to climate change, pollution, and land-use, working on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable solutions for ecosystem conservation. 

I’ve been living in an orchard for the past 2 years, away from the city for the first time in my 41 years of growing, learning and weaving a web of urban friends and projects. Coming into the city has become a deliberate decision. I have become more mindful of how I bring myself, my contribution and what nourishes me. Sometimes my visits are about my software engineering professional experience and entrepreneurship, sometimes they are about culture and art, but most of the time I come back for education, caring and living in common.
My current focus is on public space interventions that unveil behavioural aspects of our communities, with a special attention to trust, collaboration, learning and common goods. Under the heavy influence of an uncertain future, brought by our current impact on the natural world, a lot of my attention is targeted at environmental issues and what we can do to adapt to them and maybe change course towards a more sustainable approach. We need new concepts of community, collaboration and trust that can excite our collective imagination and give birth to new ways of living.
People introduce me most often as an environmental activist, but I consider myself an activist of conviviality looking towards the future with hope and trust that our collective intelligence and diversity are our best survival strategy.

Politóloga con experiencia en el diseño, análisis y coordinación de proyectos sociales, con foco en captación de fondos y en la implementación de iniciativas que fomentan la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión. También he trabajado en análisis político, cooperación y relaciones internacionales, tanto en organizaciones internacionales como del tercer sector.