Caroline Raes is an international development specialist with over 15 years of experience advising national and local governments across Europe and Africa on climate action, green growth, and urban resilience. She brings deep expertise in program management, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships.

Since February 2023, Caroline has served as the Country Representative for GGGI Rwanda, where is responsible for strategic leadership and operational management of the country program.

Previously, Caroline was Head of Programming for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Ghana, overseeing strategic direction, program quality, and partner engagement for an $8 million annual multisectoral portfolio. From 2020 to 2022, she led CRS Sierra Leone’s Urban Resilience Program, managing initiatives in watershed management, slum upgrading, solid waste systems, COVID-19 response, and urban malaria—totaling $6 million in funding.

Caroline also served as Senior Program Manager at the Global Resilient Cities Network (formerly 100 Resilient Cities) where she supported the development of resilience strategies in ten African cities and Paris. At IPE Global, she advanced climate-compatible urban-industrial development in Ethiopia’s Mek’ele–Kombolcha corridor on behalf of FCDO and CDKN. Earlier, Caroline was Senior Program Manager at the Global Resilient Cities Network (formerly 100 Resilient Cities), supporting resilience strategies in ten African cities—including Kigali—and Paris. At IPE Global, she advanced climate-compatible urban-industrial development in Ethiopia’s Mek’ele–Kombolcha corridor, working on behalf of FCDO and CDKN.

Earlier in her career, she worked as a Transport Planner at l’Institut Paris Region, advising subnational governments on transport demand management and low-carbon mobility. She also contributed to Ethiopia’s World Bank-funded 2035 National Urban Development Spatial Plan.

Caroline holds an MA in Urban and Regional Studies from Sciences Po Paris and a BSc in Economics from the University of Pierre Mendes France. She is fluent in Amharic, French, and English.