Alan Vella has extensive experience in institutional affairs, programme management and stakeholder engagement. He currently works in Brussels at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) of the European Commission. Since 2006, he has held various positions at the European Commission and the United Nations, with responsibilities spanning project evaluation and management, strategic planning, policy development, political affairs, civil society engagement and communications. Previously, in Malta, he worked in tourism and national land-use planning. His experience also includes SME support, entrepreneurship and local economic development.