Ms. Ariana Vela is one of the most recognized experts on EU funds in Croatia and the region. Her 21 years of experience, excellent knowledge of the legal, institutional, and financial framework in which projects are developed, are invaluable assets that ensure UEP operates according to the highest professional standards.
She advised and led EU funding for the largest project in Croatia (Road Connectivity with Southern Dalmatia). She designed the first Croatian portal on EU funds (eu-projekti.info), has prepared more than 500 projects in her career, written over a thousand columns and advisory articles for the media, and authored the first book on the preparation and implementation of projects in the 2014-2020 financial period (Management of ESI Funds, published by Školska knjiga). She specializes in solving complex problems in the implementation of infrastructure projects, irregularities in public procurement, and strategic planning, but approaches client consulting in projects from other sectors with the same passion. She is one of the few consultants who prepares and implements projects in all operational programs and European Union programs.
Principal of UEP and Mentor in Education Programs