Érica Maria Castro Moreira is a Portuguese advocate for human rights and democratic participation, driven by her belief to "be the change you want to see in the world." With a master's in international governance and diplomacy from Sciences Po Paris specializing in migration, Érica has dedicated her career to amplifying marginalized voices and strengthening democratic institutions across Europe.
Her five-year tenure as youth ambassador for Vila Nova de Gaia showcases her commitment to youth empowerment and civic engagement. She led the successful "Youth Rights" awareness campaign in 2020, mobilizing 34 young voices to creatively express their perspectives on preserving democracy. She also won the Gaia Participatory Budget with her innovative Sensorial Garden project, designed to address mental health challenges among young people by creating calming environments that combat stress, anxiety and depression.
As co-director for Europe at Politics4Her, Érica has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing gender equality and women's political participation. She has participated in a fundraising campaign led by Politics4Her that successfully raised over $70,000 to Anera for menstrual care in Gaza and co-managed the #EndGenderApartheid campaign advocating for Afghan women's rights. Recognizing the global backlash on women's rights, she founded Pela Igualdade, a Portuguese intersectional feminist organization focused on promoting gender equality and developing tools for inclusive language. Her international experience includes coordinating asylum support in France, Italy and Portugal, as well as conducting research on the rise of far-right movements and their impact on European democracies.
