A Senior Social and Solidarity Economy Expert, she brings forth an extensive background spanning over ten years in social cooperatives and social entrepreneurship networks within the Italian landscape. Holding a university degree in Philosophy and a postgraduate specialization in European Policies and EU Project Management, she has played pivotal roles as a social worker, project manager, and policy architect. Her influence has extended to European spheres as she represented interests at the European Social Business Initiative. In 2016, she initiated her consultancy endeavors, primarily focused on international development cooperation programs to advance social entrepreneurship in the MENA Region.
Founding member and current director of COSV's social economy unit, Annalisa is tasked with orchestrating programs and action-research initiatives concerning the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in regions like Lebanon, Syria, and the Balkans. Her specialization lies in devising innovative programs that amalgamate the framework of development cooperation with SSE. This includes the implementation of action-research, incubation, and acceleration programs in 2021, in collaboration with COSV, Annalisa Contini was instrumental in establishing Co-Profit, a benefit corporation. This entity is duly registered in Italy and Lebanon, with imminent plans for registration in the UAE. Co-Profit's mission revolves around fostering impact investments within the region. It offers comprehensive assistance to diverse entities including organizations, companies, and individuals, irrespective of their public or private nature.