Chiara Martinelli has been the Director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe since October 2021. CAN Europe is Europe's leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 200 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1,700 NGOs and more than 47 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies across Europe. CAN Europe is the regional node of the global alliance CAN International. Chiara has more than 16 years of experience in the development cooperation sector and prior to joining CAN Europe as Director, she was a Senior Advisor at CIDSE, the International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations. Chiara led CIDSE's work on climate justice, food and agriculture, energy and sustainable lifestyles. Chiara's work in international development began as a volunteer in Benin, West Africa, working on a project for the socio-economic promotion and empowerment of women.