Guoda Burokienė – President (Lithuania)
Mrs. Guora Burokienė is the President of the PREPARE Partnership for Rural Europe and, since January 2025, an adviser in the Lithuanian National Parliament. She served as a member of the Lithuanian Parliament from 2016 to 2024, contributing to national policy as a member of the State and Regions Committee, Chair of the Commission on Migration, and head of the Lithuanian delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
From 2014 to 2016, she was a geographical expert for the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) in Brussels, monitoring the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 and promoting good practices in social enterprise and social inclusion. Between 2012 and 2016, she chaired the Lithuanian Rural Communities Union, representing rural interests in governmental and municipal forums and engaging in transnational networks such as PREPARE and ELARD.
Earlier, she led the Rural Development Division at the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture (2002–2012), focusing on strategic planning and LEADER programme implementation, and coordinated national and international projects for the Lithuanian Women Farmers Association (2000–2002). Her career began as a social and insurance manager from 1994 to 1998.
Evelina Azizaj – First Vice President (Albania)
Āris Ādlers – Second Vice President (Latvia)
Āris Ādlers is a long-time advocate for rural development and civic engagement, with over 16 years of experience in facilitating community-led initiatives across Europe. Based in Latvia, he has been actively involved with the Latvian Rural Forum since 2007 and served as President of PREPARE from 2018 to 2025. In 2025, he was elected Second Vice President of the PREPARE Network, continuing his strong commitment to connecting grassroots voices with European rural policy.
Ādlers has played a key role in cross-border cooperation, policy dialogue, and capacity-building projects, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. He is also a board member of AEIDL and Latvian Rural forum. His work focuses on strengthening partnerships, promoting local democracy, and building resilient rural communities. Within PREPARE, he continues to contribute to strategic planning, advocacy, and supporting national rural networks across the continent.
Gusatav Charouzek – Board member (Czech republic)
Experienced leader in regional development, EU policy, and strategic planning, with extensive expertise in managing organizations, securing subsidies, and fostering international cooperation. Former director of LAG Královská stezka o.p.s. and LAG of the Vysočina Region o.p.s., responsible for operations, economic affairs, staff management, and strategic development. Expert for the European Committee of the Regions on regional agendas and CLLD, legislative analyst for the Association of Local Municipalities, and advisor on electronic communication networks for the Ministry of Trade and Industry. International experience includes regional development projects in Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and the UK. Lecturer in regional and rural development at West Moravian University Třebíč.
Adam Beswick – Board member (Sweden)
Adam Beswick is a passionate early-career professional with growing experience in rural policy, community development, agroecology, and participatory governance across the Europe and the Western Balkans. Wit his background in international development work at the Embassy of Sweden in Kosovo, research as well as work in the climate consultancy – he currently serves as Board Member at PREPARE – Partnership for Rural Europe and is a member of PREPARE co-founding organisation Forum Synergies. His work to date has focused on fostering meaningful inter-generational participation, advancing community-led sustainable development, and supporting transformation of food systems. He has facilitated dialogue between stakeholders, promoted bottom-up approaches, and championed the inclusion of underrepresented voices in rural development. Recognised for his collaborative mindset, communication skills, and creative approach, Adam is dedicated to promoting rural areas as a vehicle for sustainability transformation of society, ensuring that community realities, cultures, and way of life inform both national and European strategies.
Monika Slaninová – Board member (Slovakia)
Monika Slaninová is a dedicated project manager and rural development advocate from Slovakia, with extensive experience in educational, youth, and community-focused initiatives across Europe. She has coordinated and implemented numerous projects under programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and CERV, working with schools, municipalities, and NGOs. Monika is actively involved in mentoring, coaching, facilitating, and EU citizen engagement, currently serving as a European Citizens’ Initiative Ambassador and mentor for municipalities in youth work. She is a board member of the Rural Parliament in Slovakia and the Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia, and since 2024, she proudly serves on the board of PREPARE AISBL – Partnership for Rural Europe.
Miodrag Matavulj – Secreatary General (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Miodrag Matavulj has been part of the PREPARE family since 2009, contributing to the network’s mission to build strong rural movements across the Western Balkans and beyond. In June 2023, he was appointed Secretary General after serving on the PREPARE Board since 2021.
With more than 30 years of experience in rural development, community empowerment, and participatory democracy, Miodrag has led and supported numerous EU and donor-funded initiatives aimed at strengthening rural communities, fostering bottom-up planning, and enhancing the role of civil society in shaping policies.
As a member of the European Rural Parliament Steering Group, he works to bridge grassroots realities with institutional processes, advocating for policies that reflect the voices of rural people. Passionate about innovation and creativity in rural development, he is dedicated to helping communities co-create resilient, inclusive, and vibrant rural territories.