About us
About INDEP
The Institute for Development Policy (INDEP) is a think tank and an advocacy centre that provides independent research-based policy solutions.
Established in 2011 as an association of policy analysts, researchers and civil society activists, INDEP looks at regional policies, aiming to guide countries of South-East Europe on their path to Euro-Atlantic integration. In Kosovo, where it is based, the institute has a special focus on strengthening democratic governance and plays the role of public policy watchdog.
Principles
The work of INDEP is guided by the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability. The institute promotes active citizenship and participation in governance, as well as checks and balances between democratically elected institutions.
Vision
A democratic society, able and willing to run a functional state, integrated in the region and international community.
Mission
To strengthen and guide sustainable socio-political and economic development based on the principles of democracy and democratic values, equal opportunities, social and environmental justice and human rights.
Team
Burim Ejupi
Executive Director The primary fields of operation for Burim Ejupi are general management and finance with policy expertise in elections and political party democratization and training. burim.ejupi@indep.info
Dardan Abazi
External consultant With a background in political science, Dardan Abazi has long experience in public policy with special emphasis on monitoring legislation in the field of energy, parliamentary research and advocacy. Dardan is certified by the Life Academy for Energy Efficiency and Planning and has participated in dozens of training on democratic governance, European integration and public policy in general. dardan.abazi@indep.info
Amir Kozmaqi
Finance and Administration Manager With an academic background in economics; Amir contributes to the institute with economic analysis, specifically with analysis of capital investments. amir.kozmaqi@indep.info
Donikë Beqiri
Junior Researcher Donikë Beqiri is a Junior Researcher and Project Coordinator. She is a bachelor’s in Political Science and is currently studying for a Master’s degree in European Integration and Public Administration. Donika focuses mainly on the sustainable development program, but also works on bringing a gender perspective to public policy decision-making. donike.beqiri@indep.info
Doruntina Beka Latifi
Office Menager Doruntina Beka Latifi is a Office Menager and Research Assistant. She has a bachelor and Master degree in management, business and economics Doruntina manages the institute’s social networks, as well as provides administrative support to INDEP.
Liron Gjocaj
Researcher A graduate of energy engineering and management, Liron Gjocaj has experience in renewable resources, green policies, energy efficiency, and management. Liron contributes to the monitoring and evaluation of these policies which are related to energy strategies, energy transition, and decarbonization processes. liron.gjocaj@indep.info
Fiona Bakija
Research Assistant With a background in the field of ecology and environmental protection; Fiona contributes with research to the institute’s sustainable development programme.
Laura Nushi
Research Assistant and Project Coordinator Graduated in Energy Engineering, Laura contributes to the Institute with data collection, analysis and research, especially in the field of energy including its legislation.
INDEP Board
Jill Adler, JD.
Board Member/Chair
Ms. Adler is the Director of the East-West Parliamentary Practice Project (EWPPP), an independent non-profit organization headquartered in Amsterdam. The EWPPP has developed and implemented capacity building programs for parliaments and civil society organizations in emerging democracies throughout Eastern/Southeastern Europe and Eurasia since its establishment in 1990. She is an Adjunct Professor at Webster University in Leiden, and serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Netherlands-America Fulbright Program. Ms. Adler is the recipient of the Albanian Medal of Appreciation from the President of Albania as well as the Hungarian Cross of Honor. Ms. Adler received a JD from Georgetown University and a BA from Rutgers University.
Vjosa Musliu
Board Member
Vjosa Musliu is a Doctor of Political Sciences specializing in European studies and Jacques Derrida’s post-structuralist movement. She finished her doctoral studies at the University of Ghent in Belgium. She earned her master degree in “European Policy and Governance ‘ at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, while she finished her bachelor studies in’ International Relations and Political Science” at the University of New York in Tirana. Currently, Musliu is assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Science at the Free University of Brussels. Her academic work includes publications in the “British Journal for Politics and International Relations”, “European Foreign Affairs Reivew’, ‘Journal of Narrative Politics’ etc. Before starting her academic career, Musliu worked in the sector of journalism in Tirana and Pristina, and is currently a regular columnist in the Albanian portal ‘Dialogplus.’
Drako Fras
Board Member
Mr. Darko Fras, is Mayor of Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah in Slovenia and member of the Board of the Slovenian Association of Towns and Municipalities. Mr. Darko Fras graduated at the Faculty of Law of the University of Maribor in 1998. He started his professional career at the Institute for Local Self – Government and Public Procurement in Maribor as a Counsellor in organization and operating of municipal authorities. He was Head of Municipal Administration for six years until 2006, when he was elected a Mayor of the Municipality of Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah. He is also an active board member of the Slovenian Association of Towns and Municipalities. Darko Fras was a member of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the Commission for Local Self-government and Regional Development from 2002 since 2012. During his practice he has been involved in several international projects such as East West Parliamentary Practice Project as a permanent associate. He has also contributed in the cooperation with countries and Parliaments from Russia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (www.ewppp.org). Mr. Fras is a member of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation – Transatlantic Leadership Academy and member and permanent associate of the Transatlantic Union of Politicians and Economists (www.sllf.org). He is also very active in all professional and political discussions on regional development and local self-government. During his professional career, Mr. Fras has acquired international experiences and knowledge of the functioning of local self-government and regional development in Austria, Germany (Bavaria), Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and France, and expertise in functioning of the Parliaments in the countries of ex-Yugoslavia, Russia and Armenia.
Nevila Xhindi
Board Member
Dr. Xhindi has actively participated in the public sphere in Albania through lecturing, research and publications in the academic sphere as well as project development in various social areas. Dr. Xhindi holds a PhD Degree in Human Geography from the University of Tirana and has successfully completed a second PhD Degree in Regional Development and Planning at the University of Potsdam, Germany. Dr. Xhindi was awarded a Fulbright/Humphrey scholarship to pursue her postgraduate studies at the State University of Pennsylvania in the United States in the programme: Education Policy and Comparative Studies. Dr. Xhindi is a member of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) and the European Experts for the Bologna Process.
Gjergj Anton Filipaj
Board Member
Gjergj Anton Filipaj has an experience of 17 years as an active reporter editor, communicator, PR analyst and lecturer in Kosovo and Albania. Filipaj is current affairs editor at news TV channel RTK3 (from 2014) part of the public broadcaster – Radio Television of Kosovo. Filipaj has worked as Arts Editor at daily newspaper Zëri (2011). Gjergj Anton Filipaj is one of the co-founders of Prishtina based daily newspaper Gazeta EXPRESS (2004-2006) where he worked as editor of the national news section. He also worked as a reporter at newspaper KOHA Ditore covering mainly the education beat (2001-2004). By now he has written 10 short stories: Two of them («Five Letters» and «Luxurious Life») have been published by Haemus Plus – a literary magazine published in Bucharest – Romania. In 2007 he graduated at the Radio and TV Journalism Department – Kosovo Institute of Journalism and Communication (2005- 2007). He graduated at the University of Tirana – Faculty of Philology and History – Journalism Department (1996- 2000). Filipaj was born in Tivar –Montenegro and he is living in Prishtina since March 2001.
