Lucia holds a MA degree in History from the University of Padua (Italy), and from 2009 she is an associate at Starter, dealing with sustainable agriculture, environment and energy solutions. Lucia worked extensively in the strategic design, development and implementation of programmes aimed at a balanced and sustainable growth of communities and at territorial development both in Africa and Europe. She has been working on biochar systems introduction in African countries since 2008, involved as expert in the two EU funded projects “Benefits of Biochar” and “Biochar Plus”. She coordinates The World Bank pilot project on introduction of clean cooking stoves and biochar in Burundi.

Mr Secou Sarr is the Director of Enda Energie, and has extensive experience in energy planning, support for sustainable energy business development, public policy analysis and evaluation, and climate technology transfer for adaptation and mitigation. Mr SARR has led several programmes of access to energy services, particularly in rural Africa, and contributed to the development of several regional energy policies in West Africa.

PhD in Animal Production Science, Med, BEd and Cert -Agricultural Education. Agricultural Researcher, Extensionist, Farmer, Lecturer, Rural community developer, Innovations Forum chairman. Published 55 research articles, two book chapters on Agricultural Extension Worldwide Innovations and ICTs For @agricultural Extension: and a book on Blended supervisory management and technical report on status of STEM. Consultant for: VECO – Grazing Schemes, ICRAF – Needs of Future Farmers, UNDP – Tailor Agriculture to Climate change, SAT – Conservation Agriculture, ACP countries Biochar project, EU – Agriculture Future Search, FAO -Livelihoods Current project: Commercialising leafbased chicken feed- SUNbio/BIOFISA.

Yeboah’s research experience has focused on “Managing soils within the context of water, energy and food security, in order to achieve sustainable development.” He has a strong interest in unravelling the mechanisms underlying nutrient and soil organic matter dynamics in tropical agroecosystems. He works extensively with farmer groups, input suppliers, and other stakeholders in agricultural research and development to develop innovations, build capacity, and promote information exchange on soil fertility management practices for enhancing productivity of agriculture in Africa. He has successfully managed several donor funded projects, mentored scientists and is a Faculty member of the CSIR-College of Science and Technology. He currently has 30 publications in high impact journals. Dr. Yeboah served in various capacities and on CSIR-Council and has systematically mentored several staff. Dr. Yeboah is calm, respectful, results oriented and an excellent team player

Until his appointment with ECREEE in May 2010, Mr. Saho was the Director of Energy in The Gambia from December 2000 responsible for the overall national energy policy planning, formulation and implementation. He is currently serving as a Principal Program Officer Renewable Energy and heads the Bioenergy Program in ECREEE He holds a Masters degree (M.Sc.) in Renewable Energy and the Environment from the University of Reading, UK.

Veronica is a Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) UK, and holds a Bachelor degree in Commerce (Honours) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. She worked extensively in poverty reduction, women economic empowerment and community developments. She is responsible for facilitation and Implementation of biochar research outcomes at the grassroot levels. Veronica was involved in coordinating project activities of Benefits of Biochar and Biochar Plus projects, built capacities of stakeholders on biochar systems in Ghana and was co-responsible for project communications for stakeholders both in Ghana and Africa. She adapted the Elsa biochar cook stoves for women use and training farmers in the use of biochar for soil amendment in Ghana. Veronica is the Chief Executive Officer of ASA Initiative. She is currently implementing biochar systems for energy access, agriculture and socio economic development for Africa.

He is an Innovative Entrepreneur and Sustainable Business Developer. As a co-founder and current Managing Director of GreenTech Gambia and proprietor of Green Mamba Garden, Anthony Tabbal successfully familiarized himself with diverse skills in Product Development, Advanced Briquetting Technology, Coordination and Leadership. During the past seventeen enriching years of ground work in the Gambia, he gained profound experiences in innovative business development and outstanding environmental and sustainability knowledge.

With a degree in Degree cum Laude in Political Sciences, International policies at the University of Bologna and a Master in European Policies at Oxford University (GB), Claudia Mularon is share holder and CEO at Pragmata Institute since year 2000. Main activities:Public and private sector consultant on European funds, policies andstrategies; International Relations; Management of strategic development programs in harge of public or private entities in African Continent, Eurasia, GCC Countries.