Alison Barbier, new European Project Manager for the Smart Power cluster

The SMART POWER cluster is strengthening its expertise in European projects with the arrival of Alison Barbier as European Project Manager. A specialist in international cooperation dynamics and European funding mechanisms, she will put her experience at the service of members to support them in structuring, setting up, and developing their projects. Her mission: to identify funding opportunities, facilitate the creation of consortia, and support project leaders at every stage, in order to transform ideas into concrete and innovative initiatives on a European scale.

Can you tell us about your background and your expertise in European projects?

Alison Barbier: After an Erasmus+ mobility of two semesters at the University of Birmingham, I developed a strong interest in European dynamics and international cooperation. This experience led me to specialize in a Master’s in Applied Foreign Languages, “International Project Negotiation” track, at the Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier, which I completed with an internship at a language stay agency in Brussels.

I then moved into the mobility and European projects sector, notably at the University of Technology of Belfort-Montbéliard, where I coordinated international mobility and developed academic partnerships. I continued my career at Végépolys Valley as a Project Officer for an international business convention, before joining Bourgogne-Franche-Comté International to support project leaders within the framework of European schemes.

Finally, I coordinated a research project funded by the Horizon Europe program, related to climate change adaptation, thus consolidating my expertise in managing innovative projects on a European scale.

What will your missions be as European Project Manager for the SMART POWER cluster?

Alison Barbier: My role will be to support the cluster’s members in developing and structuring their European projects, by leveraging funding mechanisms and cooperation opportunities at the European level. In practical terms, this will be structured around several areas:

• Setting up strategic monitoring to identify relevant European funding opportunities for members
• Building strategic partnerships by integrating members into European consortia
• Supporting project leaders in the preparation of their applications, from the co-construction of ideas to the review of proposals
• Developing the cluster’s European service offering through personalized support adapted to members’ needs

The goal is to enable Smart Power members to transform their ideas into concrete projects, by fully exploiting European levers, and to strengthen the cluster’s position as a key player in innovation and energy transition, at the heart of European dynamics.

Why did you choose to join the SMART POWER cluster?

Alison Barbier: I chose to join the Smart Power cluster because it embodies two essential values for me: innovation and collective intelligence.

What particularly attracts me is its environment in which collaboration and human relations are at the heart of the dynamic. As a competitiveness cluster, Smart Power is an ideal ecosystem for creating synergies and bringing together actors with varied expertise. It is a setting that allows me to satisfy my curiosity on a daily basis. Every day, thanks to the diversity of skills, challenges, and shared solutions, I have the opportunity to grow personally while actively contributing to projects that make a difference.

Furthermore, I am deeply convinced that the energy transition plays a key role in regional development. Aware of current environmental challenges, I want to put my skills to work for sustainable solutions. Smart Power, with its approach combining the exchange of expertise, concrete impact on energy issues, and commitment to a responsible future, is the ideal framework to achieve this ambition.

Contact Alison