Laura R

Freelance Senior Consultant – Innovation, Partnership & Program Design Expert

independent consultant • Freelance

Jun 2016 - Present • 9 yrs 11 mos

As a senior consultant, I lead the design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of strategic cooperation frameworks internationally (i.e. across Europe, the MENA region, etc.). Within this role, I guide international teams and multi-stakeholder working groups—including public institutions, NGOs, research centers, and international donors—to develop and implement projects and programs, facilitate in-depth dialogue, build consensus, and secure strategic alignment throughout the project/program cycle. I regularly act as a strategic sounding board for senior decision-makers, supporting priority-setting, organisational alignment, and follow-through on high-impact initiatives. My work spans various contexts and fields within politically sensitive and institutionally complex environments. Since 2025, I have been part of UNESCO’s senior evaluator roster as a member of an international expert pool. Scope: Over €100M mobilized | Coordination across 15+ countries and 60+ stakeholders | Focus areas: Innovation, sustainable development, climate change adaptation, circular economy, blue economy, decent jobs, sustainable tourism, cultural and creative industries, territorial equity, SDGs.

External Expert –Evaluator & Strategy Advisor

Interreg Next Med and Interreg Next Italy-Tunisia Programs Managing Authorities • Freelance

Aug 2024 - Jan 2026 • 1 yr 5 mos

As an evaluator and strategic advisor, I assessed over 50 proposals submitted under two cross-border cooperation programs, focusing on their alignment with EU strategic priorities and potential for regional impact. I collaborated with expert panels to ensure consistency and quality in selection processes and contributed to discussions on thematic and territorial balance across proposals. Scope: €80M funding envelope | Proposals from 3+ countries | Focus: Strategic evaluation, funding equity, Mediterranean regional cooperation. Sectors: R&I, SME competitiveness, Renewable energy, climate adaptation, water management, social innovation, territorial cooperation, health, sustainable development.

Senior Strategic Advisor – Innovation Ecosystems (PhotonHub Europe & EDIHs)

Confindustria Toscana /DIH Toscana • Freelance

Jan 2022 - Mar 2025 • 3 yrs 2 mos

I led public-private engagement strategies and cross-sector collaboration for two major European initiatives: PhotonHub Europe (Horizon 2020) and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Tuscany X.0 and ARTES 5.0. My work involved coordinating multi-stakeholder engagement with over 100 enterprises, research institutions, regional authorities, and investor networks across Tuscany and the broader EU. I curated and facilitated high-level workshops and policy dialogues, developed strategic positioning papers, and contributed to ecosystem scaling and regional innovation strategy. I also coordinated a multidisciplinary team of consultants and technical experts and ensured strategic alignment with EU policies related to digital transformation, sustainability, and regional development. Scope: Over 800M€ mobilized, 100+ enterprises, 30+ institutional partners, 3 strategic platforms | Focus: Ecosystem development, digital innovation, capacity building, cross-sector partnerships | Sectors covered: Life sciences, agrifood, sustainable energy, healthcare, communication, AI, smart manufacturing