KIPRED is dedicated to advancing democratic values and governance, peace, human rights and the rights of non-majority communities, as well as environmental sustainability in Kosovo and the region. Founded with a vision to catalyze positive change through rigorous evidence-based research, impartiality, capacity building and strategic advocacy, since its establishment KIPRED has consistently played a key role in shaping the policy landscape of Kosovo and the wider region.
KIPRED’s research focuses on foreign and security policies, European integration, interethnic relations and political parties, with a multidisciplinary approach that combines rigorous research, policy analysis and advocacy. Through the engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders—including government officials, political parties, civil society organizations, international partners and the media—we ensure that our work has a broad and long-term impact. Our aim is to build a society where every individual can live with dignity, security and a healthy environment.
KIPRED has been and is a beacon of progressive change that diligently addresses the urgent and sensitive issues of our time, and is paving the way for a brighter future for Kosovo and the Western Balkans.
Dr. Lulzim Peci is a prominent policy analyst and scholar specializing in security studies and international relations, with a particular focus on the Western Balkans. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from South East European University in North Macedonia, holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University Institute Ortega y Gasset in Spain, and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Prishtina in Kosovo. He is the principal founder and Executive Director of the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED).
Dr. Peci’s extensive career includes serving as the Ambassador of Kosovo to Sweden from 2009 to 2013. He has also held leadership roles such as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Kosovo Open Society Foundation (KFOS) and as a Member of the Board of Directors at the American University in Kosovo (2007–2009). His academic contributions include roles as a Visiting Lecturer at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and as a Lecturer in National and International Security at the University of Prizren (2007–2008). Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Director of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (1999-2003) and contributed as a Researcher at the Kosovo Center for International Studies (KCIS) within the Foreign Policy Team of the late President of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova (1995-1998).
Dr. Peci’s research expertise spans foreign and security policies, inter-ethnic relations, and political party dynamics. His scholarly work is widely recognized, with over 70 policy and scientific papers and articles published in leading journals and outlets across Kosovo, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Greece, Switzerland, Singapore, Austria, and Germany.
Ms. Nadlije is working as Finance Manager at the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development-KIPRED.Her focus is accounting and finance, according to accounting policy and IAS. Before joining KIPRED, Ms. Nadlije has worked as Chief accountant at Insurance Company “Dukagjini”, IIC “ASSISTANCE”, and at American School of Kosova, as Accounting and Finance Manager.
Ms. Nadlije studied at University of Pristina in the field of Economy. She graduated in 1983 as Ecc.i dipl. In addition, she is duly qualified at SCAAK as an Accountant Technician. She attended the International Accounting Standards – Insurance Course at Malta International Training Centre.
Mr. Mentor Agani is senior researcher at the Kosovar Institute for Policy, Research and Development – KIPRED. Before joining as a senior researcher, he was the President of the Board of Directors of KIPRED. He is also a lecturer at the Department of Sociology and at the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Philosophy, at the University of Prishtina and at Dardania College – Department of Political Science and Public Administration.
Mr. Agani has finished his doctoral studies at the University of Prishtina, in the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Sociology (2009-2012), with the doctoral thesis: Gellner and Anderson on Nation and Nationalism. He also has had a Fulbright Scholarship for a Research Study “French and American Revolutions in the Works of Alexis de Tocqueville” at Harvard University (2006-2007). Mr. Agani holds a Masters Degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, GSPIA, and also a Major Degree in Electronics and Telecommunication (1996).
Dr. Bekim Sejdiu is a scholar and policy analyst in law and international relations. He has completed two master studies programs, namely the master degree program in the area of international relations at the University of Bilkent, Ankara and master degree program in the area of democracy and human rights at the University of Sarajevo and University of Bologna. Dr. Sejdiu has earned his doctoral degree in International and Diplomatic Studies, at the Faculty of Government and European Studies – Nova Univerza, Kranj, Slovenia.
Currently he is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Prishtina and a Senior Research Fellow at the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) as a judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo (2015 – 2014), as well as He belongs to the first generation of ambassadors of the Republic of Kosovo. Ambassador Sejdiu has served as Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Republic of Turkey (2008 – 2012) and Consul General of the Republic of Kosovo in New York (2012-2014). Before been assigned as Ambassador, he served as a political advisor in the Cabinet of the First Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo.
Dr. Agon Demjaha is a scholar and policy analyst in conflict prevention and international relations. He holds an MA in International Relations and European Studies and a PhD in Political Sciences. He has almost four decades of experience in the field of academic research, university teaching, diplomacy and non-governmental sector.
During 2006-2010, he served as the Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to the Kingdom of Sweden, while also covering the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Finland as a non-resident Ambassador. In the period (2010-2012) Mr. Demjaha has also been engaged as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Economic Development of the Republic of Kosovo. Currently, Mr. Demjaha works as an Associate Professor of Political Sciences and International Relations at Tetovo University and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED). Mr. Demjaha has published a number of articles in the field of political sciences in international journals and is also the author of several chapters in edited books published by renowned press houses such as United Nations University Press, Imperial College Press and Palgrave Macmillan. His main interests include ethnic relations, conflict prevention and resolution, regional cooperation and diplomacy.
Ilir Deda has over two and a halfdecades experience of work in national, regional and international public and non-governmental institutions. His work has influenced decision-making and policy development both at national and international level in Kosovo, and of the Western Balkans within the framework of the Berlin Process and EC implementation of the Common Regional Market (CRM), when heleadand successfully concluded the negotiations on three mobility agreements between Western Balkans Six. He has extensive and deepexperience in national, regional, and international affairs, EU enlargement, democratic governance, security, education and overall institution building and multiethnicity in Kosovo.
Ilir worked at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC); was a two term elected MP at the Assembly of Kosovo; led KIPRED Institute in Prishtina; was a researcher at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy; Analyst for the International Crisis Group (ICG) in Kosovo, and shortly worked for UNDP HQ in New York. He also served as chief of staff of President Jahjaga. Deda has been a consultant for Council of Europe, ESI, ERSTE Foundation and other organisations. Ilir Deda has an MA in International Affairs and a BA in Political Science and is h7Europe’s Futures Fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.
Ms. Donika Podrimja currently serves as a Program Manager at KIPRED. With over 20 years of experience in designing, implementing, and managing complex projects, particularly those focused on empowering marginalized communities, including women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. She has successfully led initiatives funded by USAID and other international organizations, with a strong emphasis on civil society programs in Kosovo.
Throughout her career, Ms. Podrimja has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing multi-million-euro programs and fostering partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, from grassroots organizations to international donors. Her deep understanding of the challenges faced by Kosovo’s marginalized communities has shaped her approach to program design, ensuring that her projects are both impactful and sustainable.
Ms. Podrimja holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Pristina, which has contributed to her creative approach to program design and strategic communication. She has also completed extensive USAID trainings, including courses on Project Design and Management and Grants and Cooperative Agreements for Non-US NGOs. As a graduate of the prestigious Hope Fellows Leadership Program in Washington, D.C., she has further enhanced her leadership and program management skills, enabling her to deliver high-impact, sustainable initiatives.
Ms. Viola Vanessa Kastrati, is a Researcher and Communication Officer at the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED). Viola has completed her Master’s studies in European Studies and International Relations, at CIFE, Germany, France and Italy. She completed her university studies at the University of Pristina in Political Science.
Ms. Kastrati has contributed to various research projects at KIPRED, focusing on complex topics such as cyber security and human rights, violent extremism, regional security dynamics, and inter-ethnic relations. Additionally, she is responsible for managing and designing of the KIPRED’s social media.