Welcome to
Young Innovations' People!

Welcome to Young Innovations Europe (YIE), a fresh and exciting magazine created for and by young people interested in exercising positive leadership in their own communities in groundbreaking ways.

Showcasing the brightest and most innovative youth-led and youth-motivated initiatives effecting positive change and youth participation in Europe, we are engaging with our commitment to encourage young people to inform and motivate other young people.
Whatever your interest, be it politics, environment, sport, art, science or urgent global challenges, there is something here to fixate you and prompt your next step.

We shine a light on the most compelling and original programmes and innovations in Europe, and with every article include a ‘resource box’ packed with links, materials, and tips in the hope of providing practical suggestions to encourage your interests.

Who's behind YIE?

Selene Biffi
Editor
Selene Biffi is the founder of Youth Action for Change (YAC), a global, youth-led organisation inspiring and empowering young people in over 130 countries to become active agents of change in their own communities.
She served in different capacities with the UN and Amnesty International in the past, and has also worked as a trainer and speaker for the UN, Council of Europe, Oxfam OIYP, OSCE, Columbia University and Microsoft. She holds a Bachelor in International Economics and Management from Università L.Bocconi (Italy) and a NOHA Master in International Humanitarian Action (Ireland and Spain). In 2009 she has been selected as 'Young Global Leader' by the World Economic Forum.
Silvia Raccagni
Project Manager
Silvia is particularly interested in democratization and human rights. She holds a BA in Translation and Interpretation, followed by a Master in European Policies and a Master in Human Rights. Silvia lives in Brussels, where she works in public policy for the private sector.
Paola Ciaffi
Communication
and PR Manager
Paola graduated from ‘La Sapienza’ University of Rome, majoring in Sciences of Communication. Curious, thirsty for knowledge, some of her favourite activities are traveling, writing and reading. She believes in the power of knowledge and communication as tools to fight ignorance and promote freedom.
Bettina Benzinger
Content Coordinator
Passionate about writing, interculturally interested and curious to discover new places and things: that is what Bettina Benzinger combines in her Master degree on journalism and media, which takes her to different countries. Due to her Bachelor in a pedagogic related field, she believes in the potential of youth and young people and is very glad to promote innovative ideas that hold society alive.
Natalia Rencic
Deputy Content
Coordinator
Natalia Rencic is from the island Krk, Croatia, and is currently attending her MA in Peace and Conflict at the European peace university in Stadtschlaining, Austria. During her previous studies (Master in Theology)at the University of Zagreb, she was part time involved as a free lance journalist with the mostly Catholic newspapers and online editions. She is involved in few NGOs in Croatia dealing with youth issues.
Demi Smoloktou
Strategy Adviser
Dimitra (Demi) Smoloktou, is originally from Greece but has been living in Finland for the past 3 years. She holds a masters´ degree student in Corporate Environmental Management, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, with focus in sustainable development and international cooperation for socio-economic change. Demi has been volunteering to the Earth Charter International and has participated in YAC`s online course in the past. Developing outreaching strategies, fundraising and collaboration are listed in her top interests. ´Collaboration is the key for changes´.
Alberta Pelino
External Relations
Coordinator
Alberta is currently attending her Bachelor’s degree in Economics. In June 2010, she was selected to be the Italian Ambassador of the G(irls)20 Summit in Toronto. She took part in the European Youth Exchange Programme in Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. She is the Manager of the Italian Delegation for the G20 & G8 Youth Summit and she is working on several youth projects. “I really believe the future belongs to us, so we must work together with all our passion and energy in order to make this world better”.