Dritan Shala – Biography

Governance and Environment Expert

Dritan Shala has a tenure freelance experience, professional and educational enrichment on capacity building, policy and strategic planning, project development and results oriented monitoring and evaluation, including EU projects. His advanced education and over 20-year professional career in the European and United States cultural contexts is invaluable. It encounters engagements with community organizations, government, international and United Nations agencies and academia. His work, research, interest, publications and activism focuses on environmental issues, regenerative development with responsible tourism as a potential for Kosovo and the region, thus eager to contribute to local and regional development and EU integration while leveraging social capital and following development opportunities such as Green Agenda for WB while addressing local and global environmental challenges.

Mr. Shala’s work experience involves:

  • 2 years Programme Officer within the EU funded IPA CBC AL-RKS programme office in Kosovo; 
  • 14 years work at public sector, out of which 12 years as team leader and 2 years as Enterprise Development Officer at the PAK RO in Peja, Kosova; 
  • 15 years owner of a consulting firm with engagement mainly serving NGO sector; 
  • 6 years of active engagement in youth and environment civic activism (including cofounding and presidency of two NGOs advocating for environment protection and sustainable development during which time managed a number of local and international projects funded by local, international donors and had been an active member of a number of networks); 
  • 6 months lecturer of communication subject at the International Business College in Mitrovica;
  • Various short term assignments with international organizations: in Kosovo (CDF, RDA-West, GTZ/GIZ & UNICEF, BSF, Save the Children, IOM), Albania (IOM), Austria (internship at UNEP Office for Europe – Environmental Security Programme), Hungary (Junior Fellowship at REC) and USA (HR Extern at NCA). 

Dritan is an added value due to his commitment to continuous intercultural learning, adaptation, and work exposure to civil society and public sectors, international agencies, business and academia.

Mr. Shala has the following advanced education: 

  • MSc. in HRM at LaRoche College (Pitsburgh, PA, 2005); 
  • M.A. in Comparative Local Development at Trento and Regensburgh Universities (Trento, Italy, 2008); 
  • BSc. in Biology and Chemistry at Tirana University (AL). 
  • His is in early stages of a PhD thesis proposal on regenerative development. 

Main publications: 

  • Sustainable Development: Roles and Responsibilities – a simple all stakeholders guide (ASRD, 2009);
  • The Impact of Cross-border Protected Areas in Local Development – Master Thesis (Uni Trennto 2008);
  • Nature of Rugova, a Cupsised Wealth – Eco Guide (NGO Aquila, Albanian 2000, English 2001).

Mr. Shala has the following main certifications: 

  • EU Environmental Academy 2023 (EIPA, LX 2023);
  • Regenerative Design diploma programme (Ecodemia, UK, 2021); 
  • Certified Outdoor Tourism Content Creator (outdoor active AG, 2024); 
  • Project Cycle Management; Public Policy Expert (R.I.T. – AUK, Kosovo 2014, 2018);
  • Property Valuator Level A (the Chamber of Commerce and MF of Kosovo, 2016)
  • English as Second Language – preparatory course for academic studies (La Roche College, 2003)
  • Other trainings on NGO work, projects, campaigns and advocacy ranging from 1 day to 6 months. 

Dritan’s mother tongue is Albanian, he has excellent command of English and basic  Bulgarian. 
Hobbies: Explorative tourism, hiking/camping, gardening, reading, jazz.