Meet our Finance and Operations Officer

We are delighted to welcome Michela Procoli to our growing RYE secretariat team! Find out more about her in her own words: 

Hello RYE network! My name is Michela, I am 31 years old and I come from a teeny tiny village lost in the mountains of central Italy, although I haven't lived there since I was 16. In fact, over the past 15 years, I have lived in an additional 7 countries, beginning with my AFS year in the USA (2011-2012). Since then, I have more or less kept the suitcase lifestyle going, but for the past six years, Brussels has been home. I’m now super excited to join the wonderful RYE Secretariat and to contribute to supporting rural youth across Europe!

I have been active in civil society and the youth sector for over 10 years, starting my youth empowerment journey as an ESNer in Rome during my BA years - what began as volunteering quickly turned into a long-term passion (and career path). Professionally, I have worked in a lot of different establishments and environments, and my experience focuses on project and financial management, research, and policy. Across all my previous roles, I dedicated a lot of time and effort to mainstreaming gender equality, intersectionality and diversity and inclusion - overall ensuring that traditionally marginalised communities take up all the space that they need and deserve in the democratic arena, and I am planning on applying the same approach to my work at RYE.

What is your role in Rural Youth Europe?   

I am RYE's Finance and Operations Officer - a brand new role for the organisation, which means we're currently in the process of structuring it. In practice, I will be coordinating and monitoring the financial management of the organisation, as well as being responsible for the implementation of the structural/operating grants from the EU/EYF. I will be also supporting the organisation in its fundraising efforts, ensuring sustainable and diversified funding flows.  Alongside that, I will be handling operational, administrative, and office management tasks - basically supporting Spyros with everything that keeps the organisation running smoothly behind the scenes.

Where is one of your favourite places to travel in Europe? 

I like to travel around quite a bit, so I haven't been to many places more than once. But if I had to pick somewhere I have been to recently, I would say Georgia. It was a wonderful place to visit, and I would like to go back sometime soon. I completely fell in love with the food (big emphasis!!) and culture, Tbilisi was lovely and vibrant, and I felt very warmly welcomed there. 

What would you bring to an RYE international buffet? 

As an Italian, I feel like expectations here are… high. I tried to avoid the obvious answer, but in the end, I have to be honest: I love cooking, especially pizza and lasagna, so I would probably bring one of those. That said, I might also surprise everyone with a big tray of cinnamon rolls - slightly off-brand, but very on personality.