“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:
July 2026: UNIgreen
Coordinated by the University of Almería and featured on the Forbes Spain list, the UNIgreen Alliance of European Universities is positioned as a global model and source of inspiration for higher education. Comprising eight institutions from various European subregions, this network aims to lead the fields of sustainable agriculture, green biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Furthermore, its transnational and interdisciplinary ecosystem fosters innovative educational programs, seamless mobility within its community, and governance structures that actively involve students. By connecting education, research, innovation, and society, UNIgreen fosters lifelong learning and empowers its members to be agents of change toward a climate-neutral economy. Furthermore, the Alliance promotes regional development by collaborating closely with the local socioeconomic environment—both public and private—to co-create and transfer eco-friendly solutions that address the current challenges faced by citizens.
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June 2026: Space-Nest Project
Co-funded by the European Union through the COSME programme to boost the competitiveness of SMEs, Space-Nest has been recognised for its approach to regenerating and revitalising public or private spaces that are abandoned or disused. The plan involves transforming these abandoned or underused properties into drivers of employment and entrepreneurship through the social economy. In fact, thanks to the project’s progress, around thirty spaces suitable for revitalisation have been identified in the province, with solutions analysed during discussion sessions in towns such as Álora and Fuente de Piedra. This revitalisation strategy is not limited to local boundaries but has a European dimension. The project has been carried out in close collaboration with professionals and institutions from the province of Bergamo in Italy and the Primorska Regija region in Slovenia.
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May 2026: Mariló Torres
Mariló Torres, a simulated astronaut and pilot, has been selected as the first official Spanish candidate for a commercial astronaut role 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 the ‘Mujer y Poder’ prize and her designation as European Personality of the Month. Her work contributes to space exploration objectives and has a strong symbolic impact: it inspires careers in STEM, particularly amongst 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 leading disseminator of Spanish legal knowledge. The author of over 50 academic publications, he also actively contributes to the media, bringing geopolitics to the general public. A recognised expert on Gibraltar, he advocates 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 amongst its pupils. 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 strengthening of bilingualism that began in 2008/09 and was consolidated with the support of language assistants. Subsequently, it has taken part 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), which aims to promote 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 made 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 specialist in European affairs and held various posts 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, specialising in new territorial narratives, and a teaching collaborator on the Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Open University of Catalonia.
October 2025: Olga González Galindo
With sixteen years’ experience as a EURES adviser in Granada, Olga González has established herself as a leading 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 across the EU. They achieve this through proficiency testing (PT), harmonised methods, training and scientific support for 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, thereby 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:
European project of the month for January
The Custodia los Ríos de Granada project is supported by the Biodiversity Foundation as part of the European Union’s NextGenerationEU funds. pic.twitter.
com/NU0M9ymTqb
– Europa Granada (@Europa_Granada) 21 January 2025
September 2024: Manolo Sola
Manolo Sola is our #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth for September! @cijpurchena
He is the head of the European Youth Information Office @Eurodesk in Purchena, the only one of its kind operating in the province of Almería
. https://t.co/6boH26T1rx #RIEA pic.twitter.
com/dZKyLSgDoL
– Almería European Documentation Centre (@cdeualmeria) 24 September 2024
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’ centred on 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 as part of the “Cultural Heritage in Action” initiative.
October 2023: Héctor García
Héctor García, #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth!
He is a Ramón y Cajal researcher at @CanalUGR, with his research on robotic swarm control funded by the €1.5 million #StartingGrant from @ERC_Research
➡️ https://t.co/hpGXNf7gwY#AndalucíaEUropea #RIEA pic.twitter.
com/8fwEvxOmSm
– UGR European Documentation Centre (@cde_ugr) 11 October 2023
September 2023: Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso
Mr Manuel Pleguezuelo Alonso is our #EuropeanPerson of the Month for September!
Since 2020,Manuel Pleguezuelo has been responsible for blue economy policies at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the @EuropeanCommission.
com/lu0Uc3CK55
– European Documentation Centre of Almería (@cdeualmeria) 7 September 2023
July 2023: Western Peninsula Jacobean Routes Project
EUROPEAN PROJECT OF THE MONTH‼️
Western Peninsula Jacobean Routes Project
Southern Route: “Huelva-Zafra”
com/3pwpGl1BxH
– Europe Direct Huelva (@EDHuelva) 21 July 2023
June 2023: IES Benalmádena (Málaga)
IES Benalmádena is our European school of the month. Since 2014, it has been developing the European dimension in education through activities integrated into the European projects eTwinning, ERASMUS and EPAS. It has been a European Parliament Ambassador School. #RIEA pic.twitter.
com/86zKb6bVh4
– Europe Direct Málaga (@EuropeDirectMlg) 4 July 2023
May 2023: European Project “European University Ulysseus”
European Project of the Month: Ulysseus European University
Ulysseus European
University
is one of 44 European universities selected by the European Commission to become the universities of the future. pic.twitter.
com/dJ77cIbnAx
– CDE Seville (@cdesevilla) 22 May 2023
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 unifying 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, both 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)
RIEA Personality of the Month for March 2023: Local Youth Board of Puente Genil (Córdoba). Since 2007, this Board has served as both a representative assembly and an executive body, promoting citizen participation in municipal decision-making. For more information , visit https://t.co/xwRnIiySwW pic.twitter.
com/sCso27QGrF
– EuropeDirect Córdoba (@EuropeDirectCor) 21 April 2023
February 2023: Europe Project in the Guadajoz Region
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth The 30 young people of the #EuropeanProject are committed to their values. Local activists focused on European priorities. They have launched the #DREAM2 initiative to rediscover rural Europe and get it moving, in partnership with three other European regions: #RIEA #AndalucíaEUropea pic.twitter.com/XnT0Gw1r8h
– Europe Direct Andalucía Rural (@AndaluciaRur_UE) 27 February 2023
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
Ana Ortiz Serrano, Technical Engineer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Industrial Organisation. Engineer, Erasmus Programme coordinator; promoter of European projects and youth mobility in Europe; she is our #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth #RIEA #CDEuropa https://t.co/tbyiU6AO4l pic.twitter.com/FzrSwgdKDg
– European Documentation Centre of the UCO (@CDE_Cordoba) 14 November 2022
October 2022: IES Severo Ochoa Secondary School in Granada
September 2022: Amadeo Fernández-Alba
Amadeo Fernández-Alba, director of the European Reference Laboratory for Pesticide Residues (EURL) of the @EuropeanCommission (Directorate-General for Health – DG SANTE) at the University of Almería is our #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth #RIEA #CDEurope https://t.co/rI60di3WXd pic.twitter.
com/XdMcT5GiPA
– European Documentation Centre of Almería (@cdeualmeria) 9 September 2022
July 2022: Antonia Fernández Oreal
European Personality of the Month – Antonia Fernández Oreal
A staunch European who passes on her beliefs to her students, a teacher and graduate in Educational Psychology, and a lecturer at @iesdonboscoVDC (Huelva). She is coordinator and senior ambassador for the Schools of Ambassadors @Europarl_ES pic.twitter.com/6vYIcF6paK– Europe Direct Huelva (@EDHuelva) 21 July 2022
June 2022: Bernadette Sebrechts
The Europe Direct Málaga centre has nominated Bernadette Sebrechts Verwilghen as #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth for her contribution to Europe through various projects and her role in spreading the European message through her participation in talks on Europe and her major project. pic.twitter.
com/7qRnWKcO4m
– Europe Direct Málaga (@EuropeDirectMlg) 21 June 2022
May 2022: Ana Juárez and Vincenzo Cardarelli
Vincenzo Cardarelli
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth
He has been the main promoter and is now the director of the project to build a permanent headquarters for the #JRC of the @EuropeanCommission on the Isla de la Cartuja in #Seville.
More information: https://t.co/7gAXnjnci7 pic.twitter.
com/HEYMMqKutE
– Europe Direct Seville (@EuropeDirectUS) 19 May 2022
Ana Juárez, #EuropeanPerson of the month for May
Born in Seville, with a degree in Law from @unisevilla, she is a civil servant in the European Commission’s DG Communication and was recently honoured by the Commission itself after more than 20 years of service in the institutions. pic.twitter.
com/jXxwOEn2vC
– CDE Seville (@cdesevilla) 9 May 2022
April 2022: Sara Morales Vigo
Sara Morales Vigo is our #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth. She is a physicist from Algeciras and one of the youngest scientists in the Campo de Gibraltar region. She currently works at CERN in Geneva (Switzerland). #EuropeanAndalusia pic.twitter.
com/Qj3S9Ceh9E
– Europe Direct Málaga (@EuropeDirectMlg) 19 April 2022
March 2022: Eduardo Cas
Our #EuroPersonalityOfTheMonth for March is Eduardo Cas @EduardoCCalzado, maths teacher and head of internationalisation at @IesTrassierra.
More info on our profile @europedirectcordoba #EurodeskSpain #Eurodesk #SomosEurodesk #AndaluciaEUropea pic.twitter.
com/Rbidpa071A
– EuropeDirect Córdoba (@EuropeDirectCor) 15 March 2022
February 2022: Mª del Mar Delgado Serrano
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth Mª del Mar Delgado Serrano, a researcher from Córdoba at @Univcordoba who leads the IN-HABIT and @H2020Moving_UCO projects, focused on increasing the sustainability and resilience of European urban and rural areas.#RIEA #AndalucíaEUropea pic.twitter.
com/O7VfzIoEzO
– Europe Direct Andalucia Rural (@AndaluciaRur_UE) 15 February 2022
January 2022: Marisa Viruéz
January begins and with it the first #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth from #RIEA @Europe_Granada presents Marisa Viruéz, a graduate in Political Science and promoter of European projects through the association Las niñas del Tul.
More information at https://t.co/i6wcc7VYOi pic.twitter.
com/Zohm5pDL6f
– Europe Direct Seville (@EuropeDirectUS) 20 January 2022
November 2021: Josefina Pereira
Josefina Pereira, Head of Information and Training at @JuntaExterior, is the driving force behind the European Information Network in Andalusia, always bringing the #EuropeanUnion closer to citizens. Thank you #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth #RIEA #AndalucíaEUropea #EU #Europe pic.twitter.com/VHXxxUcBNf5
– UGR European Documentation Centre (@cde_ugr) 16 November 2021
October 2021: Cristina Lobillo
Introducing Cristina Lobillo, #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth #RIEA for October from @CDE_Cordoba.
♻️Director of Energy Policy at the EU’s Directorate-General for Energy, Cristina has been a Commission official since 2004.
Would you like to know more about her?
pic.twitter.
com/UzXEhsXxRa
– UCO European Documentation Centre (@CDE_Cordoba) 13 October 2021
September 2021: Laura Diepstraten García
Introducing @lauradgmusic, #EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth for September from Almería ️. Winner of the first edition of the International Low Vision Song Contest, representing Spain in Europe at just 15 years of age.
https://t.co/OQa6EJcDyx
Want to know more about her? pic.twitter.
com/kl9Zcsk870
– European Documentation Centre of Almería (@cdeualmeria) 10 September 2021
July 2021: María Vides
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth from Huelva #RIEA
María Vides, a GP from Huelva and a volunteer at @DipuHUTrained in international health, she has taken part in several missions around the world with @MSF_Espana as part of her commitment to protecting lives and preventing and alleviating human suffering. pic.twitter.
com/YZPLBMSiWy
– Europe Direct Huelva (@EDHuelva) 7 July 2021
June 2021: Maruja Gutiérrez
Maruja Gutiérrez, from Málaga, joined the European Commission in 1988. She is vice-president of the association of former EU officials, whose members have experienced the European project first-hand, are convinced of its value and defend the European ideal.https://t.co/B3G0BZcYWE#personajeuropeodelmes pic.twitter.
com/9JK7v5PeQT
– Europe Direct Málaga (@EuropeDirectMlg) 2 June 2021
May 2021: Emilia Gómez
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth: Emilia Gómez, born in Seville, is a telecommunications engineer (#EEUU) and researcher at the #JRC of the @EuropeanCommission in Seville.
She leads the HUMAINT project, which studies the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human behaviour
.
com/L6AiRA46hG
– CDE Seville (@cdesevilla) 13 May 2021
May 2021: Isabel Noguer
Introducing the #EuropeanPersonality of the month for May: Isabel Noguer!
Isabel is an English teacher at @iesitaca with an impressive track record of teaching and academic commitment to European projects.
Meet the fantastic Isabel https://t.co/YiKT8CG0rX pic.twitter.
com/iCPaGteQxC
– Europe Direct Seville (@EuropeDirectUS) 5 May 2021
April 2021: Juan Andrés Casquero Vera
March 2021: Cristina Segura
#EuropeanPersonOfTheMonth Cristina Segura (@criistiisegura), communications officer for @Equipo_Europa in Andalusia and member of the organisation’s press committee.
Her work brings Europe closer to its citizens #Eurodesk #EurodeskSpain #WeAreEurodesk #EuropeanAndalusia pic.twitter.
com/wayVVJVG4Mr
– EuropeDirect Córdoba (@EuropeDirectCor) 15 March 2021
February 2021: Carmen de la Fuente
European #personofmonth Carmen de la Fuente, Head of the ICU at @HUReinaSofia and President of @samiuc_uci
Her work in intensive care represents EU healthcare workers in the fight against Covid-19
Professionalism, solidarity and human values in the EU @EuropeanDoctors @EFNBrussels @EU_Health pic.twitter.
com/nLymX2HIUg
– Europe Direct Rural Andalusia (@ED_AndaluciaRur) 16 February 2021
January 2021: Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar
#Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar, a biochemist from Granada, has dedicated her life to researching the vascular system in various EU countries. Her outstanding work has been supported by multiple grants from @ERC_Research and @EsHorizon2020 pic.twitter.
com/G9PKd0LGJC
– Europa Granada (@Europe_Granada) 13 January 2021
For further information
Publicaciones relacionadas:
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