Erjon Curraj

roject Management, Entrepreneurship, and Smart Business in various Albania universities. Erjon has an established track record in conducting research and consultancy services for local and international actors. He has led a research project on the linkages between the science and the private sector in Albania for the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency, recommending concrete and plausible collaboration modalities. He has also been engaged as an Expert for the UNDP Programme on consolidating digitalisation of services at the local government level. He is now acting as a mentor for Thomson Foundation, supporting media outlets to develop business plans and become more financially sustainable. Furthermore, Erjon is an expert for Regional Cooperation Council in assessing Albania's digital skills and providing recommendations for the education, private, and public sectors. Erjon has more than 15 years of professional experience in IT project management, particularly in the private sector, working as Director of IT for large companies. Stemming from his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, he founded in 2014 the start-up Tech360 Smart Solutions, which is now a small enterprise offering digital solutions to businesses, education institutions, and individuals. Even though his career provides a diversified portfolio, he remains an enthusiast of innovation and technology, particularly Smart Business, Smart Living, and Smart City using automation, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and other advanced technologies. As a result of his experience, academic background, continuous professional development through various training, and civic engagement through projects, he has now well-established partnerships in Albania and South East Europe with enterprises, CSOs, academic institutions focusing on digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.