Expertise
The Square Dot team specialises in the policy fields of social inclusion, migration, VET and skills development. We develop research and provide policy advice with the view to enrich public policy with tailor-made, innovative and socially responsible solutions in the areas of:
Meet the team
Dr. Elissavet Lykogianni
Founding Partner & Managing Director
Elissavet has extensive expertise in the policy domains of Research & Innovation, Digital market and Employment, Skills, Migration, Education and Social affairs. With her research background (PhD in Applied Economics), she has led numerous projects involving large, multi-disciplinary and international research teams of Universities and Research institutes and possesses a very strong network of researchers in the academic sector in Europe.
During the past 15 years she has built considerable expertise in the coordination of policy-related studies and the management of international consortia for a variety of (framework) contracts for DG Research, DG Education, DG Competition, Cedefop, DG Connect, among other, such as the EC Multiple Framework Service Contract for Expert Support with the Production and Analysis of R&D Policy Indicators, Horizon projects and Grants in the areas of Migration and Inclusion, as well as studies in the areas of Employment, Education and Skills, Cultural Heritage, Digital policies, R&D and Innovation policies.
Elissavet speaks fluently English, Dutch and Greek and understand French at intermediate level.
Marievi Gretsi
Business Development Manager
Marievi Gretsi is Senior Project Manager at Square Dot Team. She has an extensive experience in project management of national, international and EU-funded projects focusing on education, tailored-made trainings and skills development for young unemployed, entrepreneurs and socially vulnerable groups.
As a mentor, certified by the University of Ghent, she has informed young people in Greece about career opportunities in the Blue Economy in the framework of Blue Generation project funded by EEA and Norway Grants. She volunteered in the implementation of the Prince’s Trust International and the Mellon – Skills Accelerator programme in Greece aimed at integrating young people into the labour market. Significant experience in the field of communication and organisation was gained as a Customer Service Specialist and as an Assistant Phychologist in psychological support for young teenagers.
She holds a BA in International, European and Regional Studies from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences of Athens. She is a native Greek speaker, fluent in English and French.
Carolina Egúsquiza
Research and Education Expert
Her academic background is in Educational Sciences, Language and Intercultural Communication, and Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.She has 15 years of international experience in Higher Education and Research in Peru, the USA, Belgium and the Netherlands. Working with an interdisciplinary team, she has designed a learning track with a focus on Skills Development Training and Career Guidance for university students of the Rotterdam Business School in the Netherlands. The aim has been to equip students with the right competences and attitudes to adapt to international career contexts in our ever-changing labor force and to boost employability in complex and uncertain times.
Carolina continues to have a coordinating role and teaches a variety of skills courses at higher education level in combination with her role at the Square Dot team. Finally, she has co-founded social projects in Peru and Belgium to promote female empowerment and the use of sustainable, innovative materials in the textile and clothing industry.
She truly believes in the power of education to change societies. She speaks English, Dutch and Spanish fluently as well as French at beginner’s level.
Marilia Skentou
Project Manager
Marilia Skentou is Assistant Project Manager at Square Dot Team. She is experienced in IT and Support related project, from Administration of Software Support and continuously learning new technologies.
She participates on EU-funded projects focusing on education migration, women’s rights and AI & Technologies within the European Union.
She holds a College Diploma in Intensive Unit Nursing from I.IEK Ippokratios College of Athens. She is a native Greek speaker, fluent in English and Spanish.
Work with us
Research analyst The Square Dot team, Leuven
- Educational policies including school education and higher-education programs
- Skills and access to the labour market
- Vocational Education Training (VET) and career counselling policies
- Entrepreneurship and SME support
- Migrant integration and inclusion
- Awareness raising for the environment and climate change
We work in an international environment with a wide range of EU and non-EU partners based in Europe with whom we cooperate in Research and Policy projects. Our team members, therefore, are part of a wide and inspiring network of EU policy advice organizations working for EU-funded research. Our work includes desk research, qualitative and quantitative analysis, reporting, organization of live and online events for project promotion, dissemination activities of project events, coordination and administration of project results and tasks.
Main responsibilities:
- Implementation of several projects co-funded by the European Commission in the areas of education, skills and the labour market, migrant integration, environment and climate change, awareness raising and dissemination activities
- Project planning and budget administration
- Preparation of project reporting
- Coordination with project partners and preparation of project deliverables
- Preparation of meetings and awareness raising events
- Preparation of content material for projects’ social media
Profile:
- University studies in the fields of Economics, Social Sciences, Education Studies, Communication Studies
- 1-2 year experience in management and implementation of European projects - experience with Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ projects will be considered as an additional asset
- Experience in research reporting and data collection
- Capacity to work in a multicultural context with partners and beneficiaries from several Member States;
- Essential IT skills and familiarity with Microsoft office
- Familiarity with social media platforms in a professional environment and website software
Personal qualities:
- Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills
- Very good organizational skills: ability to plan and prioritise tasks
- Excellent command of English and Dutch or French (written and spoken)
- Willingness to travel in Europe, where required.
We offer:
- A stimulating multicultural European environment with excellent working conditions
- Full-time contracts
- A small dynamic, international team.