Maite Fernández-Villa

Maite Fernández-Villa serves as General Coordinator of Hegoa, the Institute for Development and International Cooperation Studies at the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU). She holds a Physics degree, a Master's in Development and International Cooperation (UPV/EHU), and a Diploma in Mental Health in Situations of Political Violence and Disasters (UCM).

• Professional Journey:
  • Volunteer with Jesuit Service Cambodia (1998–2000)
  • Projects Coordinator at Association of Friends of the SADR of Álava (2003–2006)
  • Advisory Department Lead at Hegoa (2006–2015)
  • General Coordinator of Hegoa since May 2015

Research Focus: Social and solidarity economy (SSE), feminist economics, public policy design, gender equity, and capacity-building in marginalized communities. Her work links research with practical implementation, particularly in Andean countries and Sahrawi refugee contexts.

Key Projects:

• Strengthening women's economic rights in La Paz (2015)
• Public policy frameworks for SSE in Ecuador
• Training programs in microcredit and solidarity economy for Sahrawi communities

Events Leadership: Organized the 1st Critical University Outreach Conference (Granada, 2024) and virtual forums on feminist economies (Colombia, 2023).

Contact: Hegoa Institute (hegoa@ehu.eus), headquartered at Zubiria Etxea in Bilbao, with additional campuses in Donostia and Vitoria-Gasteiz.