Sofia has a background in European studies, cultural issues and identity construction in Europe. Coming from Portugal, in 2006 she received a M.A. in European Studies from the Universiteit van Amsterdam. In 2005 she managed the administrative aspects and daily communication of the STEP beyond Mobility Fund of the ECF as an intern, returning to the team in March-December 2007 as Programme Officer assistant. In 2006, at LabforCulture, she assisted with administrative and logistical issues, and with liaising between the Lab and its partners. She is now part of the Grants team and also webmaster/editor of http://www.rhiz.eu, an online meeting place for the arts & culture crowd. Rhiz.eu was created under ECF's focus on diversity and 2008 - Year of Intercultural Dialogue.