ILEKTRA PAPADAKI

I advise policy makers of international organizations, national and local governments how to turn complex urban and environmental challenges into actionable strategies, implement and monitor them.

With a decade of experience in EU and UN systems, I specialize in policy design, strategy setting, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and building high-impact partnerships. I also lead teams and manage multi-year projects. I am committed to support you navigating public sector careers and roles in international organizations, leadership positions, career changes, upskilling and training paths, finding your lost motivation, and dealing with challenging work environments. Also happy to exchange if your career is focused, or you want to focus it, on policy, climate change issues, affordable housing, or monitoring. Don't hesitate to get in touch!

Some highlights from my work experience:

-As Team Leader and Policy Advisor to management, I led and shaped initiatives for the construction sector and the urban environment at the European Commission (2017–2023), coordinated High Level Fora and multi-stakeholder initiatives, designed and implemented international projects, authored institutional reports.

-Senior Expert for the Sustainable United Nations Facility (2024– ), driving sustainability performance improvements and coordinating annual reporting across the UN system toward climate neutrality.

-Active in research and practice at the global and EU levels: PhD(c) Spatial and Urban Engineer, with focus on international climate and development policies and their influence to national and local strategies.

-Experienced mentor and advisor: URBACT Lead Expert, Cities Forum Mentor, with a track record in city mentoring programs (New European Bauhaus, Net Zero Cities). Mentored over 15 trainees and younger colleagues in their early career, as manager in international organizations.