Team

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Better Europe was set up in 2017 by Joost Mulder  , an independent Public Affairs expert with 20 years of experience and a strong network in the “Brussels bubble” and in civil society. Joost previously worked as a political assistant to an MEP, a financial industry lobby consultant, and head of advocacy at the NGO Finance Watch.

As an experienced Brussels insider, he has detailed knowledge of EU decision-making and first-hand lobby experience on trilogues, Council negotiations, delegated legislation and the implementation of EU legislation. In addition to strategic and advocacy support for Better Europe’s clients, Joost provides frequent open trainings and coaching on lobbying, and is a member of the European Commission’s Financial Services User Group for Belgian NGO FairFin. In addition to his European political network, Joost has strong contacts in national politics in Belgium and the Netherlands, built up through more than two decades of political work ranging from grassroots local politics to high level advocacy at political and executive level. Besides his native Dutch, he is fluent in English and French.

 

Thibault Girardot  joined Better Europe in 2021 to work on sustainability reporting, corporate social responsibility and due diligence. Thibault is a double Master graduate in EU affairs and environmental policy from Sciences Po Lyon and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

From his past experience in European trade unionism, he gathered experience in sustainability, social dialogue and economic governance. He speaks French, English and Spanish.

 

Yiorgos Vassalos   advises Better Europe’s clients on financial services and sustainable finance.Yiorgos is a financial regulation expert with a PhD from Strasbourg University on the landmark MiFID II legislation.

He has a long experience in EU affairs including working as an advocacy officer for a Brussels-based NGO and a trainee in the European Parliament. He speaks Greek, English and French.

 

Maja Bartczak joined Better Europe in 2023 to work on sustainability and energy matters. Maja is a double master’s graduate in International Business Law: Climate Change and Sustainability from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and European Public Law and Governance from Maastricht University.

Through her previous experience as a researcher, she gained expertise in EU law, climate change and sustainability related matters. In her free time, she acts as a board member at Climate Law Alumni Circle. She speaks Polish, English, German and Spanish.