Funded by: Joint SDG Fund – Digital Transformation Window (Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation – DART – joint programme, with contributions from the European Union, Sweden and Spain).

Co-ordinated by: FAO Representation in Albania, under the supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia.

Project partners: FAO, ILO, ITU and UNDP as DART implementing agencies, working with national institutions in Albania.

Role: Digital Agriculture Policy Specialist.

Duration: September 2024 – August 2026.

Outputs: Working Group for the National Strategy on Digital Agriculture established and mobilised; large-scale survey with 800 farmers and at least 20 key informant interviews on digital agriculture completed; comprehensive national digital agriculture assessment prepared; preliminary recommendations and priorities for the Strategy and Action Plan drafted; co-design sessions organised; first draft of the National Strategy and Action Plan prepared and circulated for stakeholder consultation.

Funded by: Joint SDG Fund – Digital Transformation Window (DART programme).

Co-ordinated by: ILO Albania, in partnership with FAO, ITU and UNDP under the DART joint programme.

Project partners: Agricultural University of Tirana; more than 10 public institutions; five agricultural VET schools and three training centres; groups of farmers and rural entrepreneurs engaged in the training programme.

Role: Digital Agriculture Expert – Team leader for capacity development.

Duration: June 2025 – October 2027.

Outputs: Design and delivery of a capacity-development programme to build digital skills among at least 40 national stakeholders and public servants from over 10 institutions, five agricultural VET schools and three centres, 180 TVET students, and 400 farmers; training materials and modules on digital tools in agriculture; support for integrating digital agriculture content into VET curricula and institutional training plans.

Funded by: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (National Training Scheme in Agriculture).

Co-ordinated by: Agricultural University of Tirana.

Project partners: More than 25 professors from AUT; leading farms specialised in cows, sheep and goats, olives, grapevine, apples, vegetables, maize, strawberries and medicinal and aromatic plants across Albania.

Role: Team Leader.

Duration: February 2024 – December 2025.

Outputs: Overall planning and coordination of coaching visits to leading farms; annual work plans and progress reports to the Ministry; guidance on technical coaching content per commodity; communication and visibility outputs (including social media updates) to promote the Scheme and its results.

Funded by: GIZ Albania.

Co-ordinated by: GIZ Albania, in cooperation with regional agricultural structures and pilot farms.

Project partners: 12 pilot farms in Kukës and Dibër regions (apple, cherry and raspberry), local service providers and value chain stakeholders.

Role: Fruit Expert.

Duration: February 2024 – December 2026.

Outputs: Design and implementation of innovative practices in the apple and cherry value chains (especially use of bioregulators); development of the raspberry value chain through piloting of 12 demonstration farms; introduction and testing of AI-driven tools and drone applications in fruit growing; dissemination and promotion of successful interventions through field days and outreach activities.

Funded by: Climate Resilience and Agriculture Development Project (Loan No. 9489-AL), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Albania.

Co-ordinated by: ProAdvice, in coordination with the Project Implementation Unit of the Climate Resilience and Agriculture Development Project at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Project partners: J-V Koestinger & Partners, Flex Co, Gateway & Partners, Iceberg Communication, ProAdvice, Koestinger Consulting Albania.

Role: Fruit Expert.

Duration: June 2025 – June 2027.

Outputs: Technical assistance for the establishment and medium-term operation of two fruit-and-vegetable clusters in Dibra; support to product branding and market positioning of selected products; capacity building for cluster members; facilitation of collaboration among farmers, processors and service providers; contributions to sustainable agri-food systems and improved market access in the region.

Funded by: German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), within the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany–Western Balkans project.

Co-ordinated by: Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG RRD) and GFA Consulting Group.

Project partners: Ministries of agriculture of Western Balkan economies and other national stakeholders engaged in the policy dialogue process.

Role: National Expert on Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) in Albania

Duration: March – October 2025

Outputs: Summary note on Demonstration Farms under the National Agricultural Training Scheme as an AKIS-based innovation model addressing climate change; monitoring report and additional case studies on innovative agricultural systems in Albania; inputs for AKIS stakeholder networking and public consultations on AKIS formalisation; contributions to the Western Balkans AKIS Knowledge Repository and Knowledge Reservoir.

Funded by: German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), within the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany–Western Balkans project.

Co-ordinated by: Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SWG RRD) and GFA Consulting Group.

Project partners: Ministries of agriculture of Western Balkan economies and other national stakeholders engaged in the policy dialogue process.

Role: Agriculture Expert – SWG National Expert for Crop Production Analysis linked to climate change in agriculture.

Duration: 2023 – present.

Outputs: National report on the impact of climate change on agriculture in Albania and proposed adaptation measures; contribution to regional comparative analysis for Western Balkan countries/territories; inputs to policy dialogue events and discussions under the Agricultural Policy Dialogue Germany–Western Balkans.

Funded by: GIZ Albania.

Co-ordinated by: GIZ Albania, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Project partners: Negotiation teams of MARD and other relevant national institutions engaged in the EU accession process (Chapters related to agriculture and rural development).

Role: Agriculture Expert.

Duration: September 2023 – August 2025.

Outputs: Technical support to prepare presentations for the screening process in Brussels; assistance in drafting the chapter content for ‘Olive and Olive Oil’, ‘Fruit and Vegetables’ and ‘Arable Crops’; inputs to background documentation used by the negotiators during bilateral and explanatory screening sessions.

Funded by: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Risi Albania project, implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and Partners Albania.

Co-ordinated by: Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Albania – Risi Albania Project.

Project partners: Agricultural University of Tirana and private companies in the MAPs sector.

Role: Agriculture Expert.

Duration: May 2023 – present.

Outputs: Drafting two chapters of the National Compendium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Quality Standards; Good Agricultural Practices for MAP cultivation); organisation of trainings and workshops with private-sector operators and academia; support to knowledge-sharing mechanisms between AUT and MAP businesses to upgrade product quality and compliance with standards.

Funded by: FAO Representation in Albania (digital agriculture and youth entrepreneurship support).

Co-ordinated by: FAO Representation in Albania, in collaboration with FAO Regional Office and technical officers at FAO HQ, Rome.

Project partners: Young agri-entrepreneurs and innovators participating in the training; national stakeholders supporting youth in agribusiness.

Role: National Digital Agriculture Technology Specialist.

Duration: March 2023.

Outputs: Design of a comprehensive training module on good practices and innovative digital solutions in agricultural production and processing adapted to the Albanian context; delivery and facilitation of a three-day interactive training week; strengthening participants’ skills to implement digital solutions, effectively use technology in production and start their own profitable, digitally enabled agriculture businesses.

Funded by: BASF SE.

Co-ordinated by: BASF SE and the Agricultural University of Tirana (Didactical and Experimental Farm).

Project partners: Didactical and Experimental Farm of the Agricultural University of Tirana and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Role: Coordinator.

Duration: June 2022 – June 2026.

Outputs: Design and implementation of field trials on vegetables comparing biodegradable mulching films with non-mulched control plots; installation and use of tensiometers and soil temperature sensors; data collection and analysis on soil moisture, temperature and crop performance; technical reporting for BASF and AUT on the performance and agronomic implications of biodegradable mulches.

Funded by: Joint SDG Fund – Digital Transformation Window (Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation – DART – joint programme, with contributions from the European Union, Sweden and Spain).

Co-ordinated by: FAO Representation in Albania, under the supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia.

Project partners: FAO, ILO, ITU and UNDP as DART implementing agencies, working with national institutions in Albania.

Role: Digital Agriculture Policy Specialist.

Duration: September 2024 – August 2026.

Outputs: Working Group for the National Strategy on Digital Agriculture established and mobilised; large-scale survey with 800 farmers and at least 20 key informant interviews on digital agriculture completed; comprehensive national digital agriculture assessment prepared; preliminary recommendations and priorities for the Strategy and Action Plan drafted; co-design sessions organised; first draft of the National Strategy and Action Plan prepared and circulated for stakeholder consultation.

Funded by: Austrian Development Agency and Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean

Co-ordinated by: NEXUS Program

Project partners: ADISA, University of Lisbon

Role: Precision Agriculture expert

Duration: May – September 2022

Outputs: Project Document, Inception Report, Concept Note, Note on Potential Financing and Partnership Mobilisation

Funded by: UN Women, Albania

Co-ordinated by: CBS

Role: Organic Agriculture Expert

Duration: June 2022 – May 2023

Outputs: Contribute to the training and material need assessment process with selected women in the MAPs Value Chain; preparation of 10-12 technical training modules combined with field demonstrations for ‘Medicinal and Aromatic Plans cultivation techniques’ including all stages from land preparation and planting to post-harvest handling; iii) propose new high value cultivars and products of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants to be planted by the group of Women in Gramsh Municipality.

Funded by: GIZ/SRD Program

Role: Permaculture Expert

Duration: April – November 2022

Outputs: Preparation of a permaculture curriculum for all teachers (more than 60 only for 2022-2023). Design and establishment of two permaculture school gardens. Training of 60 teachers on permaculture school gardening and drafting a teacher manual on implementing permaculture in school as part of the extra-curricular agricultural program.

Funded by: International Union for Conservation of Nature

Co-ordinated by: Living Buna Project

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: September 2022

Outputs: Deliver three workshops in Velipoja, Dajçi and Trush on conservation agriculture as an alternative agricultural system for environmentally sensitive areas.

Funded by: GIZ/SRD Program

Co-ordinated by: Agriculture and Finance Consultants GmbH (AFC)

Role: National Short-Term Expert

Duration: July 2021 – present

Outputs: Support fruit growers to test new resistant plum and walnut cultivars; 2) select appropriate trial sites for new plum varieties and rootstock; coaching plum and walnut producers; establishing B2B linkages in agri-food system between producers and nursery managers, assist in negotiating contracts, representation in international agricultural events.

Funded by: GIZ/SRD Program

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: April – July 2020

Outputs: Conducting an identification, inventory and analysis of the main actors of the fruits value chain (i.e. lead firms, farmers groups, lead farmers, fruit sector associations and other stakeholders) that could offer business development services (BDS) in Korca, Dibra and Kukesi regions; conducting qualitative interviews and designing actor analyses; fostering network among and with relevant stakeholders within the agri-food.

Funded by: EU Commission

Co-ordinated by: Institute for Sustainable Policies & Institute for Promotion of Social and Economic Development

Role: Organic Agriculture Expert

Duration: May 2019 – June 2020

Outputs: Conducting analysis on the perception of integration process for Albania and its consequences on the organic agriculture, using surveys with organic farmers; increasing the capacities of the organic agriculture representing associations and agencies for the negotiation process; conducting awareness raising activities on organic agriculture EU regulations; training organic farmers on agricultural methods, organic food system and agricultural extension strategies in line with EU integration process.

Funded by: Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro

Co-ordinated by: Agricultural University of Tirana

Project partners: consortium of institutes, municipalities and NGOs from Albania, Italy and Montenegro

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: May 2018 – present

Outputs: Coordination of technical activities aimed at mapping ancient olive groves, best agricultural practices applied; conducting studies on olive groves biodiversity value and olive groves value chain for touristic purposes; drafting Local Environmental & Cultural Resource and Community Maps (LECRCM) and Local Environmental, Tourist and Economic Development Plans (LEETDP); drafting progress reports using Electronic Monitoring System (EMS).

Funded by: TAP (TransAdriatic Pipeline)

Co-ordinated by: Center for Advanced Studies

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: November 2019 – January 2020

Outputs: Evaluation of Monitoring Land Productivity under the Livelihood Assistance and Transitional Support (LATS) program within TransAdriatic Pipeline (TAP); conducting interviews and surveys with a large number of affected land owners.

Funded by: SNV

Co-ordinated by: CNVP Foundation

Role: Organic Agriculture Expert

Duration: October 2019 – March 2020

Outputs: Drafting the Extension Strategy with models of private driven extension service for MAP sector; conducting capacity development activities and training of trainers (theoretical and practical) on cultivation of 10 MAPs; drafting a manual for organic production of MAPs.

Funded by: VISHEGRAD Fund

Co-ordinated by: Rural Association Support Program

Role: Digital Farming Expert

Duration: May – December 2018

Outputs: Representing the Agriculture University of Tirana in selecting and supporting ideas for digital farming; coaching student groups in their start up digital business.  

Funded by: National Agency for Territory Planning

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: October – December 2018

Outputs: Identification of all village elements under the framework of rural tourism development, focusing on agritourism, ecotourism and nature tourism; review proposals for public and private investment to create rural economic development areas; presentation in conferences, seminars, roundtables and other events.

Funded by: SILAC Wind Farm

Co-ordinated by: ABKONS shpk

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: October – December 2018

Outputs: Determination of Soil categories and compensation values for agriculture, pasture and forest land; designing a methodology according to national legislation and EBDR for SILAC Wind Farm in Kosovo.

Funded by: EU Commission

Co-ordinated by: Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe

Role: Agriculture and Rural Development Expert

Duration: March – July 2018

Outputs: Report on assessment of the application of the Agri-Environmental Policy (AEP) in Albania; extract primary data from interviews using a Delphi survey; presenting the Regional Report Agricultural Policy Forum (APF) 2018.  

Funded by: Mati Hydro Power Plants (ENSO-Austria)

Co-ordinated by: ABKONS shpk

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: March – July 2018

Outputs: Determination of Soil categories and compensation values for agriculture, pasture and forest land; designing a methodology according to national legislation and EBDR for Mati Hydro Power Plants (ENSO-AUSTRIA)

Funded by: GIZ/SARED Program

Co-ordinated by: SONNENTOR shpk

Role: Project Coordinator and Value Chain Expert (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants)

Duration: May 2016 – March 2018

Outputs: Providing technical assistance through coaching and trainings and demonstration to find alternative international markets for various cultivated and wild collected organic herbs and medicinal plants of some producers groups in Malësi Madhe; identification, recruitment and management of short-term expertise; coordination of project activities and project management according to GIZ rules and procedures; addressing trainings and capacity development activities to agri-food operators, combining it with a territorial approach to promote local and regional economic development; supporting on-farm and off-farm diversification, running quality-improvement schemes intended to foster competitiveness and sustainability of value chains as well as to introduce technologies to innovate the product range; facilitating closer ties between the different value chain actors, empowering smaller-scale farmers and entrepreneurs and promoting the creation of both informal business networks and formal associations;  promoting organic production within the value chain, in order to improve local business climate for farmers and enterprises involved in the agri-food.

Funded by: Mountains Areas Development Agency; co-financed FFEM, CIHEAM/IAM)

Co-ordinated by: Institute for Economic Studies and Knowledge Transfer (ISTNJ)

Role: Project coordinator and Value Chain Expert

Duration: January 2015 – December 2017

Outputs:  Promote the origin-linked products in Reçi and Tropoja areas through quality signs system; generating a sustainable development of agriculture and preservation of the biodiversity; a report on preserving biodiversity while developing the business of chestnuts and chestnut honey in Reçi and Tropoja

Funded by: GIZ Kosovo, COSiRA Project

Co-ordinated by: ORGANIKA Association

Role: Organic Agriculture Expert

Duration: July – September 2017

Outputs:  Organising and conducting Training of Trainers (ToT) on growing 10 MAPs and 2 berries; cooperating in the delivery of capacity development measures for local partners and stakeholders in MAPs and berries value chain promotion; drafting informative materials and booklets.

Funded by: GIZ/SARED Program

Co-ordinated by: Institute for Economic Studies and Knowledge Transfer (ISTNJ)

Role: Horticulture Value Chain Expert

Duration: October 2014 – May 2015

Outputs: Intervention strategy of the Support Program to Agriculture and Rural Economic Development in Disadvantaged Areas of Albania (SARED) aimed at developing the four most important value chains, namely small livestock, fruit trees and nuts, medicinal and aromatic plants and rural tourism. The program included an investment grants provision; preparation and delivery of capacity development measures related to agri-food sector (fruits and nuts and to medicinal and aromatic plants) and the budget management of EUR 13.1 million).

Funded by: National Agency for Territory Planning

Co-ordinated by: DOGMA VVZRL, LATITUDE VZW, MILAN INGENERIA S.r.l and STUDIO B&L shpk

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: January – July 2016

Outputs: Land use and soil quality as part of the analysis and assessment of the territory for Durres Municipality, Vore Municipality and Shijak Municipality, under the Local Development Plan.

Funded by: TAP A.G.

Co-ordinated by: ABKONS shpk

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: September 2013 – May 2015

Outputs: Quality control of Agricultural Land Easement and Acquisition Process; public consultations; analysing a large dataset from thousands of affected landowners comprising crops and agriculture assets

Funded by: TAP A.G.

Co-ordinated by: ABKONS shpk

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: June 2012 – December 2013

Outputs: Evaluation from all the pipeline route; Determination of Soil categories and compensation values designing a methodology according to national legislation and EBDR

Funded by: GIZ, AgroBiodiversity in Rural Areas” (CABRA)

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: August – September 2013

Outputs: Drafting a book on key medicinal and aromatic plants in Albania containing a general part with good practices regarding the collection, legislation in force and international standards, plant monographs, etc

Funded by: EU Commission IPA Crossborder Albania – Montenegro

Co-ordinated by: Research Centre for Rural Development

Role: Agriculture Expert and Assistant Coordinator

Duration: May 2012 – November 2013

Outputs: establishment of an EMP contributing to conservative management and sustainable development of Shkodra Lake ecosystem; encouragement of education and knowledge transfer through sharing of good practices with farmers; delivering trainings and capacity development measures on sustainable management of natural resources in Albania and Montenegro; conducting capacity building activities for trainers and professionals on environmental education.

Funded by: EU Commission IPA Crossborder Albania – North Macedonia

Co-ordinated by: Research Centre for Rural Development

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: May 2012 – November 2013

Outputs: cooperating in fostering sustainable economic development of the region Albania – North Macedonia; developing long term partnerships and networking between civil society organisations, professional organisations (including Chambers of Commerce, entrepreneurs and farmers’ organisations) and decentralised institutions (including Universities and research centres).

Funded by: SNV and Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Co-ordinated by: ProMali Project

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: July – September 2012

Outputs: conducting training and capacity development activities on post-harvest techniques to fruit farmers and other actors active in apple value chain; drafting a post-harvest protocols for apples.

Funded by: TAP A.G.

Co-ordinated by: ERM (Milan)

Role: Agriculture and Land Use Expert

Duration: June – September 2011

Outputs: Soil use and soil quality report under the ESIA of TransAdriatic Pipeline.

Funded by: Austrian Development Agency

Role: Organic Agriculture Expert

Duration: January 2008 – January 2009

Outputs: establishment of an organic herb growers network for supplying raw material to Sonnentor GmbH Austria

Funded by: Milieau Kontakt

Role: Agriculture and Local Economic Development Expert

Duration: January – December 2008

Outputs: The first case of the Green Agenda drafting process in Albania

Funded by: GTZ (GIZ)

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: March – October 2008

Outputs: identification of farmers interested in growing Gentiana Iutea and Primula veris; provision of advice on seeding production, planting and care, promoting agricultural extension strategies; conducting capacity building and awareness activities among farmers.

Funded by: UNDP GEF

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: January 2005 – December 2006

Outputs: raising the awareness of inhabitants of mountainous areas to remove the pressure from forest resources by using solar dryers for drying medicinal plants and forest fruits; conducting capacity building activities within the MEPs and forest fruits value chains stakeholders.

Funded by: GTZ (GIZ)

Co-ordinated by: WIRAM Project

Role: Agriculture Expert

Duration: March 2004 – December 2008

Outputs: fostering knowledge and collaboration among farmers and other agri-food stakeholders in the medicinal plants and honey value chain; conducting analyses of market potential; setting up a marketing cooperative with 25 members (HerbaDukagjin) that exports medicinal plants and honey in Germany; implementing capacity development measures for farmers, producers and other stakeholders, fostering the activities of business development services; experimenting the cultivation of various herbs and spices. 
Click to view project album