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Award committee

RSLA

THE EVALUATION

The evaluation process consists of two rounds, national and international.

The evaluation of submitted SL practices/projects at the national level is ensured and delivered by official national partners of the CSEE S-L Network. It is the responsibility of the national partners to assure evaluators who meet the criteria outlined in the RSLA statute. 

It is recommended that the evaluators have:

  • Experience working with/within schools, youth, and the community.
  • Experience in evaluating SL practices/projects in previous editions of RSLA or similar initiatives.
  • Experience in the application of S-L methodology and have successfully implemented at least one S-L practice/project before – it’s an asset.

The top-rated projects advance to the international round, where decisions are made by jurors. Each partner nominates at least one candidate to the international jurors’ committee who must meet this profile: 

  • Have experience in education or the NGO sector.
  • Have experience working with institutions, schools, teachers, organizations, non-formal groups, or youth.
  • Have experience in advocacy and community mobilization
  • Understand the Service-Learning pedagogy
  • Promote innovation in education.

JURORS

Luz Avruj, Argentina, Clayys

B.A. in Institutional Organization and Management (UNSAM), Specialist in Social Network Analysis and Management (Universidad Bolivariana de Chile) and University Diploma in Education (Universidad del Museo Social Argentino). Her two passions have always been Education and Social Development and she has worked in both fields for more than 20 years: in schools and universities as a teacher and teacher trainer and with social organizations offering technical assistance, facilitation, training and developing didactic materials. She has also worked with companies in negotiation and conflict management. She was CLAYSS Training Coordinator for several years and was in charge of the Service-Learning Promotion Program in Central and Eastern Europe. She is currently the Coordinator of Institutional Relations and Networks, an area from which she promotes the formation, strengthening and interrelation of networks related to the subject all over the world.

Tatiana Matulayová, Czech Republic, Faculty of Public Policies in Opava, Silesian University in Opava

Tatiana Matulayová is a university lecturer, researcher, consultant, instructor and supervisor with more than 27 years of experience at universities in Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic. In her work, she has long been involved in volunteering, the professionalisation of social work and innovations in the education of social workers.
Her activities have significantly contributed to the development of volunteering in the academic environment. She initiated or collaborated on the establishment of volunteer centres in Slovakia (Banská Bystrica and Prešov), which worked closely with local universities. In the Czech Republic, she initiated the establishment of the first university volunteer centre at Palacký University. Between 2016 and 2020, she implemented the Service-Learning pedagogical strategy in the master’s programme in social work.

Ciprian Ghisa, Romania, Counselor of Ministry of Education for high-school curriculum development

Ciprian holds PhD from Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of History and Philosophy, and M.A. in History from Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of History and Philosophy B.A. in History – Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of History and Philosophy.
He has more than 18 years of experience as a Teacher of History and 11 years as Director of an International School. Ciprian Ghișa oversees all areas and departments related to Academics, ensuring an alignment of the objectives and their implementation at all current school levels (Nursery, Primary, and Secondary) while setting the ground for our future high school.
He also has extensive experience as a teacher in secondary school and at a university level, as a professor and researcher in the field of history.
He is also a certified BSO (British Schools Overseas) inspector. Above all, Ciprian is a professional of great integrity and an unmatched partner in finding solutions and strategic development.

Bojana Ćulum Ilić, Croatia

Bojana, a Full Professor at the University of Rijeka (UNIRi), focuses on engaged teaching, youth civic education, and community-engaged pedagogy. She directs the University of Rijeka Foundation (2021-2026) and contributes to prestigious academic networks like ACES and the European Association of Service Learning. Bojana aided in developing the TEFCE Toolbox for community engagement in higher education. Recognized for her impactful work, she received awards including the National Award “Ivan Filipović” and the City of Rijeka’s yearly Award for university-community engagement. She fosters partnerships with civil society and public institutions, notably initiating the University of Rijeka’s membership in the Talloires Network. A Fulbright alumna (Portland State University, 2015/2016), Bojana epitomizes dedication to advancing higher education and community collaboration.

Gentrit Berisha, Kosovo, Associate Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics

He instructs courses such as Managerial Decision Making, Operations Management, and Business Ethics. His specialization lies in organizational behavior research, focusing on areas such as individual differences, decision-making styles, workplace behaviors, intrapreneurship, and entrepreneurship.
In addition to his academic role, Gentrit serves as a consultant in entrepreneurship and small business management, bringing practical insights and expertise to the field.

Peter Papšo, Slovakia, The director of Department of Youth at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic

Peter Papšo holds a PhD in pedagogy and a PhDr. in social work. He has extensive experience in academia, having served as a university lecturer at the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Pedagogy, Matej Bel University. Presently, he serves as the Director of the Youth Department within the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sports in the Slovak Republic. In this role, he oversees the implementation of state youth policy, develops strategic documents, provides financial support for youth initiatives, coordinates interdepartmental efforts, and engages in international collaborations.

Elvira Hadžiahmetović Jurida, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Full Professor, Department of Biology Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics University of Tuzla

Elvira Hadžiahmetović Jurida has been a university teacher in the Department of Biology of the University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2004 (as a Teaching Assistant, a Senior Teaching Assistant, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and as Full Professor since 29 February 2024 (having earned her final and ultimate promotion to Full Professorship by the Senate of the University).
She studied Biology to BSc and MSc levels at her home university, and to PhD level at the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, where she defended her doctoral dissertation on 15 January 2013.
In her current capacity as Full Professor, she is currently teaching several undergraduate and postgraduate (Master’s and doctoral) courses focusing on her scientific field – ecology of animals and plants. She has served as advisor for a number of final (diploma) papers and several final MSc theses, and successfully supervised one PhD candidate. She is currenttly supervising another PhD candidate. In addition, she has reviewed papers for a number of scientific journals. She has been published in various domestic and international journals and monographs (70+ scientific articles, 3 university textbooks), and participated in more than 20 international conferences and projects (COST, ERASMUS+, CEEPUS, CISP).

Vasilika Laska, Albania, Director of Strategic Projects

Vasilika Laska is a dynamic and highly motivated professional with a strong academic background in Political Science, holding both a Bachelor’s and a Scientific Master’s degree from the European University of Tirana. With specialized training in Project Management and Evaluation, and international academic experience at Mendel University (Czech Republic), she brings a well-rounded, European-informed perspective to governance, public policy, and development work.
She currently serves as the Director of Strategic Projects at Lezha Municipality, with a strong track record in coordinating and managing EU-funded initiatives, including Erasmus+ projects. Vasilika has extensive experience in project writing, youth empowerment, civic engagement, and public administration reform. In the recent years she has engaged in implementing Service Learning projects but has served as evaluator of Service Learning projects implemented in national level. Her roles span across NGOs and local government bodies, including as Project Manager, General Coordinator, and Social Media Manager.
An active contributor to national and international conferences and training programs, she is also a committed youth advocate, having served as a youth advisor to both national and local councils. Fluent in Albanian, English, and Italian, with working knowledge of Spanish, she combines excellent communication, organizational, and digital skills with a passion for community development and social inclusion.

Amela Medar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Educational Consultant within the Pedagogical institute of Mostar

doc. Ph. Dr. Amela Medar works as an educational consultant within the Pedagogical institute of Mostar. Her work is focused on the support and evaluation of biology and chemistry teachers and professors within the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. She is also responsible for the improvements and/or developments of curriculums as well as for the in-service-teachers education. In previous years she was responsible for mentoring teacher’s teams for Service-Learning and supporting their work during the practice implementation. Amela believes that the essence of teaching process are competent and innovative teachers able to put children in the focus of the learning process and ensuring the development of their potentials. Thus Service-Learning is great methodology to ensure this.  In her work she is/was involved into diverse state educational projects focused on improving the quality of education of Bosnia and Herzegovina and among many is project TABLA – General Education Project focused on the quality of initial teacher’s education at the universities within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sandra Koljachkova, North Macedonia

With over 25 years in the NGO sector, Sandra has focused on youth engagement, education, and civic participation. She has contributed to national and regional initiatives addressing youth involvement in democracy and the challenges of brain drain.
Sandra has supported the development of youth councils in partnership with municipalities, NGOs, and schools, working closely with student councils, teachers, and institutions. A significant part of her efforts has been dedicated to designing and implementing simulation games that help students better understand the EU and parliamentary elections through hands-on learning.
Outside work, Sandra enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring her passion for permaculture.

 

“In the evaluation of Service-Learning projects, we are dealing with very experienced jurors who have clear vision, flexibility of thought, and critical finesse and who can easily get into the spirit of the projects by seeing the value of each contribution to the project. Thank you to all RSLA jurors who each year make a valuable contribution to the appreciation of our Service-Learning projects.”

— Maria Butyka, New Horizons Foundation
Jurors RSLA 2024
  1. Luz Avruj, Argentina, Clayys
  2. Gabriela Hillar, Argentina, Associate Professor
  3. Ciprian Ghisa, Romania, Counselor of Ministry of Education for high-school curriculum development
  4. Bojana Ćulum Ilić, Croatia
  5. Gentrit Berisha, Kosovo, Associate Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics
  6. Peter Papšo, Slovakia, The director of Department of Youth at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic
  7. Amela Medar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Educational Consultant within the Pedagogical institute of Mostar
  8. Anastasija  Sasha Tofoska, North Macedonia, Educational program Coordinator
  9. Shpresa Delija, Albania, Professor at the Tirana University
Jurors RSLA 2023
  1. Luz Avruj, Argentina, Clayys
  2. Gabriela Hillar, Argentina, Associate Professor
  3. Željka Stjepić Srkalović, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senior assistant at geography department
  4. Bojana Ćulum Ilić, Croatia
  5. Gentrit Berisha, Kosovo, Associate Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics
  6. Peter Papšo, Slovakia, The director of Department of Youth at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic
  7. Oana Mosoiu, Romania, University lecturer, trainer for Erasmus and ESC National Agency
  8. Ciprian Ghisa, Romania, Counselor of Ministry of Education for high-school curriculum development
Jurors RSLA 2022
  1. Bojana Ćulum Ilić, University of Rijeka, Croatia
  2. Luz Avruj, Latin-American Centre for Service-Learning, Argentina
  3. Snježana Dubovicki Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
  4. Fahreta Brašnjić, Federal Ministry of education and science, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  5. Borka Malčić, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  6. Rolf Laven, Institut für Allgemeinbildung in der Sekundarstufe, Kunst und Gestaltung, Wienna University, Austria
  7. Patrick Ryan, University of Limerick, Ireland
  8. Fabiola Hosu, Federation Coalition for Education, Romania
  9. Romina Matei, SALTO Solidarity Corps Vienna, Austria
  10. Gabriela Hillar, Ministry of Education of Argentina, Argentina
Jurors RSLA 2021
  1. Peter Lenčo, Department of Youth at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic, Slovakia
  2. Dušica Štilić, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  3. Luz Avruj, Latin-American Centre for Service-Learning, Argentina
  4. Gabriela Hillar, Ministry of Education of Argentina, Argentina
  5. Bojana Ćulum, University of Rijeka, Croatia
  6. Kreshnik Begolli, Ministry of Education of Kosovo, Kosovo
  7. Oltion Rrumbullaku, University of Tirana, Albania
  8. Alejandro Gimelli, Latin-American Centre for Service-Learning, Argentina