Academy4EU is driven by a strategic partnership of universities and organizations across Palestine, Spain, and Italy
University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) Palestine
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Project Coordinator
UCAS leads the overall project management and coordination. It ensures financial management, compliance with Erasmus+ requirements, quality assurance and effective communication among partners.
Asociación Empresas con Valores (ICV) – Spain
Type: Non-profit / Training & Innovation Organization
Role in the Project: Lead of Pilot Academy (WP3) and Simulation Scenarios (WP5)
ICV establishes the Pilot Academy for Project Management and develops interactive simulation scenarios and gamified tools for grant management training.
Team Members
Melquiades Lozano
Melquiades Lozano Monzón is the Co-founder and President of Incubadora CON VALORES, the first corporate-backed incubator dedicated to entrepreneurs at risk of social exclusion. With an extensive background in the private sector and a deep commitment to social transformation, he bridges the gap between the corporate world and social impact, fostering innovative solutions for economic inclusion.
An expert in project management and business strategy, Melquiades coordinates national and international expansion strategies to promote sustainable and inclusive business models. He has a proven track record in securing funding, developing business models, and leading high-impact initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurial communities.
Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie (PTUK) – Palestine
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Lead of Curriculum Development (WP2)
PTUK is responsible for developing and implementing the specialized training curriculum in European project management, including training needs analysis and modular curriculum design.
Team Members
Bilal Younis
Bilal Younis is an Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology and an educational leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education, teacher professional development, and technology-enhanced learning. He currently serves at Palestine Technical University Kadoorie–Arroub Branch and leads youth and capacity-building initiatives as Youth Programs Manager at the Yatta Association for Higher Education. He holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design & Technology from Southern Illinois University, with academic foundations in curriculum and instruction and physics. His work focuses on integrating digital innovation, AI literacy, simulations, serious games, and project-based STEM learning to create engaging, student-centered educational environments.
Dr. Younis has extensive experience managing national and international projects, including leading technology education programs, developing centers of competence, and conducting training-of-trainers’ initiatives for educators and institutions. He has collaborated with universities, ministries, and international organizations to design professional learning communities, digital literacy programs, and evaluation systems. His research spans AI literacy, digital citizenship, online learning, and teacher professional development, with publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Through his work, he aims to empower educators and learners to think critically, use technology creatively, and build resilient, future-ready education systems.
Jerusalemite Youth Cultural Forum (JYCF) – Palestine
Type: Civil Society Organization
Role in the Project: Lead of Social Innovation Lab (WP4)
JYCF coordinates the Social Innovation Lab for European Projects, fostering hackathons, prototyping of social projects and the creation of a community of innovators.
Team Members
Mohammad Awar
Mohammad Awar is the general director of the Jerusalemite Youth Cultural Forum since 2018, who has the necessary skills and qualifications as he worked as an acting director – The Danish House in Palestine, Director of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Jerusalem, and Director of Fundraising & Public Relations – The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.
Mohammad graduated from the University of Bier Zeit with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Mohammad has gained a lot of experience and knowledge through the long journey within different NGOs. Mohammad believes in providing the youths and children of Jerusalem with all possible opportunities to reach a brighter future.
Universidad de Valladolid (UVa) – Spain
Type: Higher Education Institution
Role in the Project: Lead of Impact and Dissemination (WP7)
UVA develops and implements the dissemination plan, multiplier events and the long-term impact and sustainability strategy.
Team Members
María Laura Serra
Maria Laura Serra is a researcher at the University of Valladolid (UVa) in Spain. Her research interests include intersectionality, legal capacity, equality, and mental health. She currently serves as the PI of RECAJES, a grant-funded project supported by the Spanish Research Council, and recently finished an independent project focused on exploring the human rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities within the Spanish mental health system, funded by the EU Next Generation Fund/UVa.
Università Telematica Pegaso (UNIPEGASO) – Italy
Type: Higher Education Institution (Online University)
Role in the Project: Lead of Alumni Network & Digital Platform (WP6)
UNIPEGASO is responsible for developing the open-access digital learning platform, alumni network, mentoring system and digital repository.
Team Members
PhD Dilillo
Francesco Pio Dilillo is a PhD student at Pegaso University (Naples, Italy), enrolled in the National PhD Programme in “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (XXXIX cycle). He holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Foggia (Italy). His research focuses on Diversity Management and the role of schools as promoters of inclusion. He investigates how Diversity Management practices can enhance welcoming processes, inclusion, and interactions within multicultural classrooms.
His current work explores the relationship between educational policies, intercultural practices, and the use of digital technologies to foster equitable learning environments and strengthen social cohesion. In Academy4EU, he contributes to WP6 as operational and research support, focusing on mentoring design, community engagement and monitoring strategies for the Digital Learning Platform.