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Centro de Documentación Europea de la Universidad de Almería

“European Personality of the Month” is a joint initiative organised by all the centres that form part of the European Information Network of Andalusia. Its main aim is to raise awareness and promote, via social media, the work of Andalusian citizens who are carrying out or have carried out outstanding and/or commemorative achievements within the EU.

Each month, a member of the Network will nominate the #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth. In this post, we will compile a list of these citizens each month:

May 2026: Mariló Torres

Mariló Torres, a simulated astronaut and pilot, has been selected as the first Spanish official candidate for commercial astronaut in Titans Space Industries’ Space Class 2025 cohort. Her career marks a milestone as she becomes the first Spanish woman to command an international simulated space mission. These missions simulate conditions on Mars or the Moon in extreme terrestrial environments and enable the evaluation of technologies and human behaviour under conditions of isolation and stress. As commander, Torres has demonstrated leadership, technical ability and team management in critical situations. She is also the first Spanish woman to be recruited by a private company to train as an astronaut outside of public agencies. She has taken part in five expeditions in different countries, collaborating on research linked to the European Space Agency. Her work has been recognised with awards such as Mujer y Poder and her designation as European Personality of the Month. Her work contributes to space exploration objectives and has a strong symbolic impact: it inspires STEM careers, particularly among women, and positions Córdoba as a leader in innovation and science.

April 2026: Jesús Verdú Baeza

Verdú is Director General of the Bahía de Algeciras Campus of the University of Cádiz and head of relations with the Campo de Gibraltar, noted for an academic career focused on the cross-border challenges of southern Europe. A Doctor of Law, his thesis already addressed the Gibraltar disputes and their environmental impact, marking a line of specialisation he has developed over more than two decades. His research work encompasses national and international projects in key areas such as international law, international relations, climate change, sustainability and European integration. He has taught and lectured at world-renowned institutions and in various countries, establishing himself as a disseminator of Spanish legal knowledge. The author of over 50 academic publications, he also actively participates in the media, bringing geopolitics to the general public. A recognised expert on Gibraltar, he promotes an approach based on cross-border cooperation and environmental law. His academic and social commitment positions him as a key figure in the international analysis and promotion of the Campo de Gibraltar.

February 2026: European educational project by IES ATEGUA in Castro del Río

Since 2009, IES ATEGUA has been promoting a European educational project through its ongoing participation in European programmes, encouraging the internationalisation of the school and the development of linguistic, cultural, civic and social skills among its students. This commitment has been recognised through its status as a finalist for the RIEA JACE Award and through close collaboration with Europe Direct centres. Its journey began with the Comenius U.T.O.P.I.A. project (2009–2011), alongside schools in Belgium, Norway and the Czech Republic, in parallel with the reinforcement of bilingualism that began in 2008/09 and was consolidated with language assistants. Subsequently, it has participated in various Erasmus projects focusing on European identity, culture, environmental protection, youth employment and sustainability. Since 2023/2024, it has been part of the OLIVE TRAIN TO EUROPE consortium for vocational training mobility and is currently participating in the Erasmus project “Empowering the democratic values and green culture of our schools” (2024–2026), aimed at education in democratic values, sustainability and civic awareness.

December 2025: Almería Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities (FAAM)

The Almería Federation of Associations of People with Disabilities (FAAM) is the leading organisation in the province of Almería within the European Solidarity Corps programme. Since 1999, they have welcomed 78 European volunteers to their headquarters and sent 30 young people to other countries. All this has been possible thanks to the support of young people and partner organisations.

November 2025: Cecilia Gañán de Molina

She holds a degree in Law and a PhD in Sustainable Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Rural Development from the University of Córdoba. She has undertaken specialised studies in European Communities at the Diplomatic School of Madrid. She began her career at the European Documentation Centre in Córdoba. She later worked at the Brussels office of the Regional Government of Andalusia as a European affairs specialist and held various positions in the Regional Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Environment. In recent years, she has worked as an independent consultant in international affairs, collaborating with organisations such as the FAO, the World Bank and the IUCN. She acts as an expert for the European Commission on cohesion, regional and urban development policies. She chairs a European group on the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument (I·3) and collaborates with EU programmes as an analyst, evaluator and researcher (HORIZON, URBACT, INTERREG, EKLIPSE). She is a visiting professor at the University of Sassari, Italy, in new territorial narratives, and a teaching collaborator on the Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Open University of Catalonia.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a black top and colorful ring sits on a green bench outdoors near green benches and a building with the text Centro de Documentación Europea de Córdoba at the top and below it Personaje Europeo del Mes Cecilia Gañán de Molina with EU flag symbols

October 2025: Olga González Galindo

With sixteen years’ experience as a EURES adviser in Granada, Olga González has established herself as a key professional in European labour mobility in Andalusia. Her commitment and dedication to helping others have enabled numerous professionals to find opportunities in different European countries that match their profiles. As a EURES adviser, she has promoted European employment opportunities, guiding employers and workers on mobility and market demands. Her duties include providing personalised advice, monitoring job vacancies, disseminating information on living and working conditions, and organising international recruitment processes. Guided by empathy and professional excellence, her work embodies the European Union’s values of cooperation and solidarity. Thanks to her dedication, the EURES network in Andalusia has become a benchmark for labour mobility and an inclusive European labour market. For this reason, Olga González has been named European Personality of the Month.

September 2025: EURL-FV Project

EURL-FV is the “European Project of the Month” for September, presented by Amadeo Rodríguez Fernández-Alba (now Emeritus), Mª Jesús Martínez Bueno and Carmen Ferrer Amate, from the Department of Chemistry and Physics. This is the European Union Reference Laboratory for Pesticide Residues in Fruit and Vegetables, which ensures that results on pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables are reliable and comparable throughout the EU. They achieve this through proficiency testing (PT), harmonised methods, training and scientific support to both the European Commission (DG SANTE) and the network of laboratories (NRLs = National Reference Laboratories; OfLs = Official Laboratories).

July 2025: European Geotrans Project, Huelva-Alentejo Cross-Border Geopark

Led by Huelva Provincial Council, the project forms part of the Spain-Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation Operational Programme (POCTEP). Under the name GEOTRANS, the initiative promotes sustainable development, heritage conservation and the strengthening of cross-border links. The project covers 38 municipalities and almost 80,000 inhabitants, and aims to enhance the value of shared natural, cultural and intangible resources. The municipalities of the Sierra and Cuenca Minera de Huelva are participating in the project, alongside the Portuguese municipalities of Barrancos, Mértola, Moura and Serpa. As a result of this joint effort, on 26 June 2025 an agreement was signed to establish a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) based in Rosal de la Frontera. The Geotrans project aims to achieve recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark in the near future.

June 2025: European project “Back to a healthy society (BASE)”

The European project Back to a Healthy Society (BASE), recognised as European Project of the Month by the European Information Network of Andalusia, promotes active, healthy and connected ageing, placing older people at the forefront of social change. Its approach focuses on combating isolation, encouraging active living and strengthening community participation through communities of practice led by older people trained as agents of change. These local facilitators, supported by mentors, promote physical exercise and strengthen social ties, improving the health and emotional well-being of their communities. With the collaboration of organisations from six European countries, BASE has already been implemented in Málaga, in the municipalities of Alcaucín and Torremolinos, through pilot projects led by older volunteers.

January 2025:

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September 2024: Manolo Sola

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November 2023: PAX – Patios de la Axerquía Association

A non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting social innovation processes for urban regeneration in areas of high heritage value, founded by the citizens of Córdoba, advocating the need to update the tangible and intangible heritage of the courtyard house as a model for a socially and environmentally sustainable city in Mediterranean Europe. In 2022, PAX was recognised with the European Heritage Award/Europa Nostra Award from the European Commission for its work in consolidating a “Heritage Community” around urban regeneration, as defined by the Faro Convention of the Council of Europe to which it belongs, as well as for promoting the rich tangible heritage by involving citizens as key players in the recognition of these values. In 2023, it was also recognised as a Good Practice by Eurocities in the “Cultural Heritage in Action” initiative.

October 2023: Héctor García

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September 2023: Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso

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July 2023: Western Peninsula Jacobean Routes Project

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June 2023: IES Benalmádena (Málaga)

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May 2023: European Project “European University Ulysseus”

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April 2023: European project “SEA-EU: European University of the Seas”

SEA-EU, the European University of the Seas, was established in 2019 as part of the Erasmus “European Universities” initiative. It is one of four alliances coordinated by Andalusian universities within this initiative, comprising a total of 44 consortia selected by the European Union under the Erasmus 2021–2027 programme to enhance the international competitiveness of higher education. These university networks not only cooperate with one another, but also with non-governmental organisations, businesses, and local and regional authorities to improve the quality and expand the reach of higher education in Europe. The main driving force and connecting factor of this consortium is the sea. SEA-EU will promote excellence in research to increase knowledge and improve understanding and management of the marine environment. It will help develop the human resources and skills needed to meet the needs of the evolving marine and maritime sectors, now and in the foreseeable future. It will provide and improve tools and techniques for measuring and predicting impacts on the oceans. This project already brings together 150,000 students, 18,000 staff and 75 associate members from the nine territories, including local authorities, port authorities, government bodies, businesses and prestigious research centres such as GEOMAR, IFREMER and CSIC. SEA-EU comprises the universities of Cádiz, Western Brittany (France), Kiel (Germany), Gdańsk (Poland), Split (Croatia) and Malta, which have been joined in this second phase by the universities of Naples-Partenope (Italy), Algarve (Portugal) and Nord (Norway), with the aim of designing a new European higher education area to promote training and research and align it with the needs of each territory.

March 2023: Local Youth Board of Puente Genil (Córdoba)

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February 2023: Europe Project in the Guadajoz Region

January 2023: #VidaMadera for the Future

The University of Granada, the Provincial Council of Granada, local councils in the metropolitan area, the private and forestry sectors, as well as groups and associations involved in raising awareness and protecting the environment, are behind this project, which has become an emergency plan aimed at restoring the poplar groves of the Vega de Granada, combating air pollution in the metropolitan area and creating a new business and industrial fabric. Website: https://life-woodforfuture . eu

November 2022: Ana Ortiz Serrano

October 2022: IES Severo Ochoa Secondary School in Granada

September 2022: Amadeo Fernández-Alba

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July 2022: Antonia Fernández Oreal

June 2022: Bernadette Sebrechts

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May 2022: Ana Juárez and Vincenzo Cardarelli

#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth

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April 2022: Sara Morales Vigo

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March 2022: Eduardo Cas

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February 2022: Mª del Mar Delgado Serrano

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January 2022: Marisa Viruéz

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November 2021: Josefina Pereira

October 2021: Cristina Lobillo

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September 2021: Laura Diepstraten García

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July 2021: María Vides

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June 2021: Maruja Gutiérrez

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May 2021: Emilia Gómez

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May 2021: Isabel Noguer

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April 2021: Juan Andrés Casquero Vera

Juan Andrés Casquero Vera, @jacasquero, is a 29-year-old physicist and meteorologist from Cadiz who devotes his research to atmospheric physics @gfat_ugr at the University of Granada @canalugr.
His research, supported by the European Social Fund #ESF, focuses on studying the properties of atmospheric aerosols (particles suspended in the air) and their effect on the climate and health, as well as on the quality of the air we breathe.
In addition, like many Spanish researchers, he has focused his research on the search for new materials for the development of face masks, thereby contributing to the arduous task of combating COVID-19.

March 2021: Cristina Segura

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February 2021: Carmen de la Fuente

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January 2021: Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar

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For further information

RIEA website

Publicaciones relacionadas:

D. Manuel Pleguezuelo AlonsoD. Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso is our “European Person of the Month” Manolo Sola is our “European Person of the Month” 20th Anniversary of the European Information Network of Andalusia Consult the latest Newsletter of the European Information Network of Andalusia. Travelling exhibition “Andalusia, 40 years growing in Europe: from treaty to transformation”

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