The Board ANRD
Albanian Network for Rural Development – ANRD
The Board ANRD
Albanian Network for Rural Development – ANRD
Sotiraq Hroni – ANRD Chairman (re-elected on 14 June 2024)
Sotiraq Hroni is Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), a Tirana-based independent think tank organization which has been actively providing expertise, policy analysis, applied research, and capacity building for key societal actors to drive reforms and engage in evidence-based policy processes. A former diplomat and advisor to the PM and President of Albania, Mr. Hroni’s professional background and involvement with civil society over the past fifteen years has been focusing particularly on good governance, accountability and integrity development reforms, civic participation and evidence-based policy making.
Majlinda Hoxha – ANRD General Secretary
Sabah Djaloshi is Executive Director of Agro PUKA association. He has been working for about 14 years as teacher and vice principal at Puka high school. Additional to his work in the civil and private sector, Sabah Djaloshi has rich experience in project writing and management; has worked in various research projects implemented by the University, civil society organizations and public institutions. His experience is also related to rural development policies and development of various products (processing, producing and marketing). His expertise area includes also the development of various publications in the field of tourism, promotion of gender equality in northern region, more specifically empowerment of rural women, value chains etc.
Tatjana Dishnica – Board Member
Tatjana Dishnica is the Executive Director of Women in Sustainable Agriculture Association (WSA). She has over 20 years of experience with extension service (as former Extension Service Director, at the Ministry of Agriculture). Currently, she works as a lecturer at the Agricultural University of Tirana (Communication in Extension service, Master of Science programme). Prof. Dishnica is experienced in research, where her main contribution has been focused on agricultural research &, extension service, agricultural Information, empowerment of women in rural areas; agricultural cooperation, etc., in projects funded by UNDP,WB;FAO; SNV, REC, MADA. She is the author of a series of publications, articles, scientific reports, and monographs in the field of agriculture.
Simo Ribaj – Board Member
Simo Ribaj is the Executive Director of the Green Vision Center, an NGO dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable rural development in the Vlora region. He has been the Chairman of SEEP (Social Education for Environmental Protection) since 2011. Graduated from the University of Tirana with a Master of Science in Biology, Simo has spent over 30 years as a biology professor at REALD University. He also founded the Club of Naturalists in Vlora, based at the “Ali Demi” high school. His expertise includes marine ecosystems, endangered species, sustainable fishing, and ecotourism. He has contributed to several publications on the environmental impacts of fish farms and marine conservation.
Xheni Prenda – Board Member
Benito Prendi – Board Member
Benito Prendi is graduated in communication sciences and currently the legal representative of the Volontari nel Mondo RTM Association in Albania. This is a non-governmental organization of international volunteerism with headquarters in Reggio Emilia (Italy) and secondary headquarters in Shkodra, with the mission of promoting human dignity, protecting basic rights, and accompanying communities in the processes of sustainable development. Founder and member of the association Rural Youth Hub (RYH) with the mission of youth activism that supports young people, especially those from rural areas, to exercise their voice to influence decisions in agricultural and rural policy-making, orienting them towards concerns, interests, and priorities of young people. For 9 years, promoter and implementer of initiatives focusing on the development of rural areas, gender equality, and increasing the economic capacities of small and medium enterprises.