Office
We are a small international team of professionals headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Do you have a question? Are you interested in partnering with us or would you like to know more about our membership? Feel free to contact us at office[at]encc.eu. You are also welcome to come visit us in Rue des Alexiens 16B, 1000 Brussels - just let us know beforehand.
Please note that the office is currently not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Sara Turra
Coordinator
Sara is Italian. She has a background in international and diplomatic sciences and long experience in the coordination of international networks, as well as in managing programs, projects and teams. She speaks Italian, English, Spanish, and some French.
Nico Messiaen
Administration and logistics officer
Originally from Belgium, Nico has spent most of his life in East Africa and Denmark. His professional experience spans roles such as barista, organic farmer, and web developer. He also founded a platform that showcases cultural events, and worked as an event manager at La Fonderie museum in Brussels. Nico is fluent in French and English and knows just enough Danish to order a coffee.
Irene Fici
Communications and publications officer
Irene has a background in communications, cultural management and cultural diplomacy, having previously worked for the Italian Cultural Institute in Brussels. She has an active interest in intercultural dialogue and is involved in local socio-cultural initiatives. Irene speaks Italian, English, French, and (rusty) Spanish.
Martina Fraioli
Project and research manager
Martina has expertise in research on the cultural and creative sectors and in the writing and management of European projects. At the ENCC, she leads various cooperation projects and the CUBE research on the role of socio-cultural centers in societal systemic change. She is also responsible for finding new collaboration and advocacy opportunities for the network. Martina speaks Italian, English, and French.
Lucille Griffon
Membership officer
Lucille is French and has a background in political science, with specific expertise on gender equality and anti-discrimination policies. She has experience in coordination and membership-based networks, and a particular interest in arts and culture, specifically when it comes to food. She speaks French, English, intermediate Spanish, and basic German.
Ingrid Danckaerts
Capacity building manager
Ingrid is Belgian and has a background in education and socio-cultural work. She has extensive experience in international youth work and local community development. She has worked for several international networks while organising a variety of local cultural events. Ingrid speaks Dutch, English, Catalan, and Spanish.
Julia Kasten
Policy and advocacy officer
Born in Cologne, Germany, Julia is a political scientist and art historian with experience in bridging politics and culture in both the institutional and the private sector. She has worked for the CULT Committee at the European Parliament, is involved in local cultural projects, and is currently writing a PhD dissertation on the impact of culture on democracy. Julia speaks German, English, and French.
Michaela Charisi
Research and project officer
Michaela has a background in International and European relations and is currently pursuing a Master's in cultural studies at KU Leuven. She has worked with NGOs across Europe on cultural diplomacy initiatives and has experience managing European projects, particularly in the cultural and creative industries. Michaela values cross cultural communication and is fluent in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Ruth Artiles
Policy and advocacy officer
Ruth is from the Canary Islands, and her region is a critically helpful lens in her worldview. She is educated in decolonial peacebuilding and international relations. Her expertise in contemporary security challenges and the workings of International and EU institutions was shaped by experiences at INTERPOL and the European Commission, among others. Working at SOAS and the Cultural Relations Platform, as well as her activism, further solidified her specialisation in sustainable peacebuilding, focusing on culture as method. Ruth speaks Spanish, English, French, and basic Tunisian Arabic.