Partners
About the Partners
The Team
Meet the Blue Houses project partners from across Europe, working together to promote autism inclusion, education, research and social support.
MIRADAS FOUNDATION
MIRADAS FOUNDATION
Spain
Fundación Miradas (FM) is a Spanish public, non-profit foundation established in 2013 by Autismo Burgos with the mission of improving the quality of life of people with autism and their families. The Foundation works to protect rights, promote social inclusion, and foster innovation through a comprehensive approach that combines social and legal support services, research and R&D&I initiatives, vocational training, and education for professionals and families.
FM provides personalised support across the life course, including occupational training, job placement, and the management of farms, workshops, and special employment centres, while also offering financial assistance and leading awareness-raising actions to promote positive societal attitudes towards Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
She holds a PhD in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is the foundation’s technical director. She is responsible for the programmes developed for people with dual exceptionality (ASD and high IQ). She has over 20 years’ experience working with people with autism and is in charge of ‘Bb Miradas’. She is an associate professor at the University of Burgos and collaborates with other Spanish universities.
Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Diploma in Social Work. Master’s degree in Sustainability and a Master’s degree in Management Systems. Director of the foundation. Quality expert with over 20 years’ experience in the design, management, coordination and implementation of projects aimed at inclusion and support for people with disabilities and their families. Visiting lecturer at the University of Burgos.
She holds a degree in psychology and specialises in psychological intervention for children and adolescents. Her professional experience is centred on working with children and young people. She works as a project officer at Miradas Foundation.
Degree in Social Education and Social Work; experience in working with vulnerable groups and socially excluded young people. He has experience in working directly with people with autism to promote their independence. He has experience in designing and managing projects. His involvement in the project ensures a person-centred approach when working directly with people with autism.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communication and a Master’s degree in Teaching. He creates audiovisual content to promote the foundation’s activities and European projects through the media and social media. He has experience participating in European projects and developing communication and outreach strategies for organisations and projects.
Stando Ltd
Stando Ltd
Cyprus
STANDO LTD is a research and educational organization based in Cyprus, dedicated to the advancement of research and innovation and an approved VET Centre accredited by the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus.
The organization also promotes the educational activities, professional and social skills development of children, young people and adults in order to be able to adapt and to integrate effectively in a dynamic society.
Merve is a conservation biologist who graduated with a BSc in Biological Sciences (The University of Nottingham) and an MSc in Endangered Species Recovery & Conservation (Nottingham Trent University) in the United Kingdom.
She mostly focused on marine conservation as well as has an experience with field and laboratory work on many wild species, practical conservation, and environmental education. Merve was a team leader for sea turtle conservation project at Society for the Protection Of Turtles for 1 year and then got offered a coordinating position at Cyprus Marinelife Centre for sea turtle conservation for 2 years.
Moreover, she has hands on practice with other species of wildlife and she actively participates in numerous research projects regarding the flora and fauna of Cyprus. Merve also has a pedagogical formation (teaching certificate) that lets her teach about wildlife, environment, and conservation. She is dedicated about raising awareness and educate as much people as possible to keep world’s life cycle running with sustainable resources.
Merve is currently involved in projects related to the environment – i.e. BeePro, on the Rational use of plant protection products and fertilizers in terms of the impact on bees in the ecosystem (VET); Games4ClimateChange, Empowering Youth to tackle Climate Change through Game-Based Learning (YOUTH); and BlossomingCities, A Pollinator-friendly training model for Urban environments to tackle the decline of wild pollinator populations (VET).
Zoi, a cognitive psychologist, is an expert in linguistics and cognition with dual master’s degrees in cognitive neuropsychology and cognitive-educational psychology. Her substantial background in special education, neuropsychological assessment, and rehabilitation, along with previous roles as an academic advisor, learning support assistant, and cognitive rehabilitation officer, have endowed her with comprehensive insights spanning cognition and education domains.
HAMEEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
HAMEEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
Finland
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) is a multidisciplinary university offering 28 bachelor’s degree programmes, 12 master’s degree programmes and 4 teacher training programmes. It has over 8,000 students and more than 700 members of teaching, research and support staff.
HAMK’s mission is to provide sustainable professional higher education that supports students’ professional development, responds to the needs and evolution of the world of work, and carries out applied research and development with regional, national and international impact. HAMK offers international education, R&D&I projects and mobility programmes, and has a significant impact on the internationalisation of businesses and communities in the region.
Simo Uusinoka is a Senior Lecturer at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) with a strong background in special needs education. His professional experience includes roles as a supervisor, coach, and certified study counselor. He has also led several national and international projects focused on inclusive education.
Simo has extensive experience working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals through teaching, guidance, and training for both professionals and parents. His key areas of expertise include special education, educational leadership, and transdisciplinary guidance.
Emmi Pakkala expertise expands from the classroom as a Special Needs Teacher to leading large-scale disability and protection initiatives as Chief of Basic Education for UNICEF Eritrea. Now serving as a Senior Specialist in International RDI, she leverages her dual Master’s degrees in Education and Social Services to design inclusive teacher training and quality standards across Europe and Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda).
Hanna Lindroos works as a project specialist in HAMK Edu research unit and over the years has coordinated several Erasmus+, Nordplus and other international projects. She has an additional degree in finance and accounting and has extensive experience using different EU online portals. Currently she acts as the project manager, quality manager as well as project coordinator for different RDI projects.
FPDA-Portuguese Autism Federation
FPDA-Portuguese Autism Federation
Portugal
FPDA – Federação Portuguesa de Autismo is a non-profit NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation for People with Disabilities), registered under number 48 under Portuguese law, which brings together 13 NGOs across the country, including the Portuguese islands, the Azores and Madeira. The FPDA’s mission is to fight for the rights of people with autism and their families, as well as to represent its member associations at national and international level.
The objectives of FPDA are:
- to promote the education and training of people with autism for their full inclusion in society;
- to provide support and training to the community;
- to promote the improvement of the quality of life of people with autism through access to appropriate and timely diagnosis, early intervention, inclusive schooling and lifelong education, as well as to promote employment and access to adequate housing.
Psychologist and project officer with solid experience in the fields of autism, social inclusion, and supported employment. She is currently working at FPDA, where she is responsible for managing national and international projects (including Erasmus+ programs), developing and delivering training sessions on autism for education professionals, and providing support and guidance to autistic individuals and their families.
Cláudia Gonçalves holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She completed internships in early childhood education settings, where she developed a socio-emotional skills programme, as well as in primary and lower secondary schools (grades 1–9).
She has substantial experience in designing and delivering leisure and holiday activities for children and young people, including those with specific needs, and worked for five years as an activities monitor and coordinator. She has been involved in European projects since 2019. From 2019 to 2021, she was part of the Portuguese team for DIALLS (Dialogue and Argumentation for Cultural Literacy Learning in Schools) project, an EC Horizon 2020 project.
Since 2021, she has been part of the FPDA team, responsible for managing national and international projects, developing and delivering training sessions on autism for education professionals, companies, and providing support and guidance to autistic individuals and their families.
Sandra Nunes has a degree in Psychomotor Rehabilitation from the Faculty of Human Motricity at the University of Lisbon. She did curricular internships in intellectual and developmental difficulties and since 2008 has been working in Child Development, with an emphasis on intervention in Specific Learning Difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
She worked for APPDA-Lisbon at the Resource Centre for Inclusion in schools with students with autism and at the Occupational Activities Centre with adults with autism (2016-2019).
She has been part of the FPDA team since 2019, responsible for managing national and international projects, training and assisting people with autism and their families.
Fundacja Zrozumiec Autyzm
Fundacja Zrozumiec Autyzm
Poland
The Foundation for the Treatment of People with Autism (Fundacja Zrozumiec Autyzm) and Asperger Syndrome “Understand Autism” is a non-profit, non governmental organisation dedicated to defending the rights of people with autism and their families. Its mission is to fight for inclusion, equality and improved quality of life for people with autism.
The organisation works tirelessly to represent the interests of people with autism at all levels of Polish institutions, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are respected. It also plays a key role in raising public awareness of the specific needs of people with autism, focusing on promoting understanding and acceptance in society.
Anna Stojanoska is a child psychologist, therapist, and special education teacher with over 10 years of experience supporting children and families. She specializes in holistic, relationship-based therapy and play therapy, creating safe and supportive environments for children’s development.
At Foundation Zrozumieć Autyzm, she provides consultations, social-communication assessments, individual therapy, workshops, and serves as a board member. She also developed a dedicated support program for families of children on the autism spectrum.
Bojan Stojanoski is an international projects coordinator with extensive experience in project management, youth initiatives, training courses, and partnership development.
He specializes in non-formal education, intercultural cooperation, and building collaborations between organizations across Europe. His work focuses on inclusion, personal development, and creating meaningful learning opportunities for young people and professionals.
AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL
AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL
Belgium
Autism-Europe (AE) is an international non-profit association created in 1983 and recognised by Belgian law. AE has nearly 90 member associations in 40 countries (including 26 Member States) and represents around 7 million autistic people and their families across Europe. Self-advocates and families play a key role in the organisation.
AE is recognised by European institutions as a key representative network in Europe for autistic people and their families. AE’s work is based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The main objectives of AE are:
- To ensure the full implementation and respect of the rights and effective participation of persons with disabilities;
- To promote a rights-based and evidence-based approach to autism, in collaboration with autistic people, their families, professionals and decision-makers;
- Promote research on autism, prevalence studies, and the exchange of best practices and evidence-based interventions for children with autism, as well as support and habilitation services for adults
Christian Takow, MSc, joined the team of Autism-Europe towards the end of 2018 to support their advocacy and project work. Previously, he was a trainee for the EU policy unit at the Party of European Socialists (PES) in Brussels.
He holds a master degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations from Leiden University and a bachelor degree in European Studies from Maastricht University.
Christian is on the autism spectrum. He speaks German, English and is learning Spanish and Dutch.
Fernanda started working at Autism-Europe in February 2024. Her responsibilities include creating content, managing the organisation’s website, and assisting with campaigns and research projects.
Previously, Fernanda worked as a media analyst and journalist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and has completed several other courses.
She has experience with science communication and is interested in pursuing a degree in Psychology. Fernanda speaks English, French, and Portuguese.