Mariano Votta

Mariano Votta is the Director of Active Citizenship Network (ACN), the international branch of the Italian NGO Cittadinanzattiva, where he leads European affairs and civic engagement initiatives. He specializes in public affairs, healthcare advocacy, and consumer rights, contributing to policy development and citizen participation in European governance.

ACN is a network of European civic organizations that collaborate on projects promoting active citizenship, ensuring that citizens play a meaningful role in policy-making. Under Votta’s leadership, ACN has expanded its advocacy efforts, addressing key issues in healthcare, corporate social responsibility, education, and training at a global level. The organization is headquartered in Rome, with a representative office in Brussels, strengthening its presence in European institutions.

Votta has over 20 years of experience in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, European projects, and civic information. His career began in journalism, working as a Communication Officer at Cittadinanzattiva, where he was appointed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work in Colombia from 2010 to 2012, leading citizen advisory initiatives on public services and consumer protection. In 2013, he took on his current role at ACN, spearheading advocacy campaigns at the EU level.

One of his most notable achievements includes the launch of the MEP Interest Group “European Patients’ Rights & Cross-Border Healthcare”, supported by nearly 100 organizations across Europe. He has also been involved in European Joint Actions on Vaccination, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Healthcare-Associated Infections, collaborating with EU institutions and health organizations.

Beyond his advocacy work, Votta serves on the boards of multiple European organizations, including Pain Alliance Europe, Societal Impact of Pain, Health First Europe, and the European Movement in Italy. He has received international recognition, including the Efhre International University Excellence Award on Patients’ Rights in 2016.

‍