Athena Dimou graduated from the Physics Department of the University of Patras and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Administration of Industrial Systems specializing in Energy Management and Environmental Protection, from the University of Piraeus and the National Technical University of Athens. On 2022, she started her studies as a PhD candidate in the European University of Cyprus, PhD thesis: “Investigating the most effective means for cooperation of relevant stakeholders in forest fire management (policy makers, governmental bodies, scientists, local authorities, local community) through the establishment of Local Civil Protection Mechanisms”. She has extensive and in-depth expertise and knowledge in project management, by her participation in more than 35 EU and National projects (15 H2020, 3 FP7, 1 Marie Sklodowska-Curie, 4 LIFE, 1 Eco-Innovation, 1 MED and other National projects), implementing environmental activities, dissemination and innovation management activities as well as financial management. Since January 2018, she has been working in the President’s Office of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), mainly in the supervision and monitoring of large scale projects. She coordinates the funding of the NOA-AEGIS and PANGEA research infrastructures, by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Investments Bank and the Public Investment Fund, she is Head of Networking and Communication of the “National Network for Climate Change – CLIMPACT” and the “Resilience, Inclusiveness and Development: Towards a Just Green and Digital Transition of Greek Regions – JustReDI” two flagship initiatives of the Ministry of Development and Investments, coordinated by the NOA and the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE) respectively. Moreover she works in supporting the administration in achieving strategic goals, in the preparation and submission of proposals for funding, in planning, coordinating and implementing dissemination activities, in reporting to the ministries and acts as the Legal Entity Appointed Representative (LEAR) of the NOA in the EC portal. During 2014 – 2018 she worked for the CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS (CERTH) as Financial manager of EU and national funded projects and she was Head of the laboratory “Data recording, monitoring indicators and updating strategic objectives” of the Hellenic Institute of Transport of CERTH. During 2013-2014, she was Head of the Program’s Department in the Pan-Hellenic Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Reintegration where she contributed to the compliance with the National legislation on costing mental health services. During 2006-2013, she worked as an environmental expert for the Ecological Recycling Society (NGO), where she participated in the implementation and management of European and National Projects, in the management and coordination of environmental activities in many municipalities and designed and implemented educational programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the School Community. She is fluent in English and French.