Consulta Europa Projects and Innovation S.L., hereafter Consulta Europa (CE), is a small private research performing organization, headquartered in Canary Islands. Established in 2009, Consulta Europa focuses on the analysis of processes of sustainable and inclusive development, responsible research, social innovation and participatory approaches for policy making. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary network of scientists and practitioners, covering sociology, economics, environment and engineering, its goal is to effectively contribute to the building of a new smart social and sustainable development in Canary Islands and other remote areas. With this mission in mind, Consulta Europa acts as facilitator of research and innovation projects among Canary Islands organizations and other organizations in Europe, to provide innovative EU-wide solutions to the specific challenges of remote territories as Canary Islands.
The mission of Consulta Europa is in fact to build the knowledge basis for development strategies which addresses the specific environmental, economic and social constraints of outermost regions and remote areas of Europe. Sustainability, Circular Economy, Social Innovation and Participatory approaches are indefeasible parts of the development strategies and measures proposed and supported, in order to ensure the enhancement of democracy and equality in European society.
In addition to research and innovation activities, CE deploys awareness raising and capacity building programmes for private and public, for profit and no-profit organizations to support them building their strategies in line with European policy priorities. Moreover, the agency organizes events, conferences, talks as well trainings on European Projects development and management.
Across the years, the company has in fact gathered relevant experience in the development, management of partnerships and/or participation in European projects funded under several EU programmes (Horizon 2020, COSME, Interreg Europe, Erasmus+, LIFE+, Interreg MAC), being Horizon 2020 the programme in which Consulta Europa specialized most. Under H2020, Consulta Europa has in fact participated in several projects. In RURALIZATION, Consulta Europa leads the work package 2 on dissemination and communication activities, facilitating networking and exchanging of information, disseminating information about the project and developing and implementing stakeholders involvement techniques.
Michelle Perello, Cira Mendoza and Deepa Scarrà are the main staff in Consulta Europa involved in RURALIZATION.
Dr. Michelle Perello, CEO at Consulta Europa. She holds a master’s degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences and a PhD on social innovation from the Turin Polytechni University. Michelle has extensive experience in innovation management and innovation supporting policies. After having supported the Government of Piedmont Region in the implementation of ERDF programmes in 2000-2006 and Canary Islands Regional Government in capacity building activities for its research and innovation ecosystem , in 2009 she established the company. Her main research interests are regional development policies, participatory approaches andco-creation and social innovation.
Dr. Cira Mendoza, researcher and project manager in Consulta Europa since August 2017, supports to the management of the project and the activities development. Cira has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and MSc in Tourism Management and Planning from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). She also completed a PhD in Applied Economics, granted with a pre-doctoral contract from the Canary Islands government. In Consulta Europa she has also worked on the projects ConfiÁfrica (Interreg MAC), RESOR (Interreg Europe) and LIFE4BEST programme (Life).
Dr. Deepa Scarrà, researcher and project manager at Consulta Europa. Deepa holds a master’s degree in Management from the University of Genoa (Italy) and a PhD in Management from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa, Italy). Her research interests concern sustainability – with particular reference of circular economy, sustainable entrepreneurship and business models – and innovation management.