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Ekrem Gjokaj
Regular Professor
Dr. Ekrem Gjokaj is a distinguished expert specializing in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and agribusiness. As a full professor at the International Business College Mitrovica (IBCM), his research focuses on EU agricultural frameworks and their implications for agribusiness development. His work provides comprehensive analyses of agricultural policy reforms and the EU approximation process in the Western Balkans, identifying both structural challenges and strategic opportunities for alignment with EU standards.
Dr. Gjokaj has co-authored reports for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and published extensively on sustainable rural development, agri-SME performance, and agricultural market dynamics. His scholarly contributions have influenced policymaking at both national and international levels, particularly in designing strategies that enhance agricultural competitiveness, rural entrepreneurship, and market integration within the EU framework.
In addition to his academic career, Dr. Gjokaj has held key leadership positions in national and international organizations, contributing significantly to the formulation and implementation of policies on sustainable agriculture, agribusiness development, and rural economic growth. As the former CEO of the Kosovo IPARD Agency, he played a crucial role in facilitating access to EU rural development funds, ensuring compliance with EU pre-accession funding mechanisms, and strengthening institutional capacities for effective fund absorption.
Furthermore, he served as the Director of the Department for Economic Analysis and Agricultural Statistics, where he led comprehensive research initiatives that informed evidence-based agricultural policies and sectoral investment plans. As the Head of the Rural Programming and Coordination Division, he was instrumental in designing and implementing rural development programs aligned with EU CAP principles. His expertise was crucial in the development and execution of key policy frameworks such as the Agriculture and Rural Development Program (ARDP) 2007-2013 and ARDP 2014-2020, which laid the foundation for Kosovo’s agricultural sector modernization and rural revitalization.
Dr. Gjokaj has been actively involved in drafting and implementing local development strategies using LEADER approach aimed at fostering sustainable rural economies, promoting value chain integration, and supporting agri-SMEs in transitioning economies. He is a significant specialist for EU-funded and other donor efforts due to his extensive knowledge of economic analysis, strategic planning, and rural policy. He has led and participated in several projects centred on economic growth, agribusiness innovation, and capacity building.
His vast experience in program implementation, institutional development, and policy reforms has made him a key figure in modelling Kosovo's agricultural path towards EU membership. Dr. Gjokaj continues to advance proactive approaches to Kosov's rural development and sustainable agriculture through his leadership, research, and policy contributions, making sure that agribusinesses and rural communities are equipped to handle upcoming environmental and economic difficulties.
Work Experience
Institution/Company Name: GLV “Biosharri” Dragash
Position: Team Leader
Location: Dragash
Institution/Company Name: Kosovo Women 4 Women (K-W4W)
Position: Senior Expert
Location: Prishtine
Institution/Company Name: FAO Mangione, Daniela (REU)
Position: Local Coordinator
Location: Prishtine
Institution/Company Name: FAO Mangione, Daniela (REU)
Position: Agriculture households’ assessment coordinator & Floods Response Local Coordinator
Location: Prishtine
Institution/Company Name: EC Ma Ndryshe
Position: Senior Expert on Rural tourism
Location: Prizren
Institution/Company Name: EC Ma Ndryshe
Position: Senior Expert
Location: Prishtine
Institution/Company Name: Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University “Ukshin Hoti“ Prizren, Republic of Kosovo
Position: Head of educational affairs at Agribusiness Management Department MSc Programme
Location: Prizren
Institution/Company Name: Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University “Ukshin Hoti“ Prizren, Republic of Kosovo
Position: Prof. Assoc. Dr
Location: Prizren
Institution/Company Name: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary University “Hasan Prishtina” Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Position: Part Time Lecturer
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD Gunther Horzetzky
Position: CEO of Kosovo IPARD Agency
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: CIHEAM Bari Italy Bigio Di Terlzzi
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Kosovo - Italy
Institution/Company Name: University of Prizren, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science & Bordeaux Science Agro&Intereco – International
Position: Scientific Expert
Location: Pristina (RKS) – Bordeaux (F)
Institution/Company Name: Municipality of Mitrovica
Position: Senior Expert on Rural Development
Location: Mitrovica
Institution/Company Name: University of Prizren, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science &University of National and World Economy & JICA Diana Kopeva
Position: Scientific Expert
Location: Prizren (RKS)– Sofia (BG)
Institution/Company Name: IBCM/EC
Position: Key Expert/ Leader Component “Experts Network”
Location: Mitrovica
Institution/Company Name: PANGEA & JRC
Position: Country Senior Expert
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD
Position: Director of Department for Economic Analysis and Agricultural Statistics
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: CIHEAM/IAM Bari, KosAgri Project
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: FAO&MAFRD
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: GIZ & MAFRD
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: IBCM & HELP
Position: Local Expert
Location: Mitrovica
Institution/Company Name: IBCM & HELP
Position: Local Expert
Location: Mitrovica
Institution/Company Name: FAO & MAFRD
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: FAO & MAFRD
Position: National Coordinator
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: International Cooperation Project between Austria, Croatia and Kosovo
Position: Team Leader
Location: Austria/ Croatia/Kosovo
Institution/Company Name: EU Twinning Project implemented within MAFRD
Position: Leader Component 1/key expert “Mid-term Evaluation of the Existing ARDP 2007- 2013 and preparation the ARDP 2014-2020
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: Women’s Network QELIZA – KOSOVO
Position: Agriculture and Rural Development Expert
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD
Position: Head of Rural Programmin g and Coordination Division
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: Meridiana Ccooperation and ALPINA
Position: Local Consultants
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: Regional Development Agency – Centre
Position: Short term Senior Expert
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD
Position: Senior Agricultural Policy Officer
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: Mercy Corps / SIT-M
Position: Short term Local Consultant
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD
Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: FAO
Position: Junior Expert
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: MAFRD/EAR
Position: Coordinator of Rural Finances & Income Generation
Location: Prishtina
Institution/Company Name: Reggimento MSU - Carabinieri Missione della NATO “JOINT GUARDIAN” in Kosovo KFOR
Position: National Junior Expert
Location: Prishtina
Education & Training
Title: Dr. Sc. In Economics of Rural Areas
Institution: Agricultural University of Tirana – Faculty of Economics and Agribusiness
Location: Tirana, Albania
Title: Bachelor
Institution: University of Prishtina/ Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary
Location: Prishtina, Kosovo
Title: Mr. Sc. In Joint European Master in Comparative Local Development “ Rural Income Diversification and diversity of livelihood activities in Kosovo
Institution: University of Trento (Italy), university of Regensburg (Germany), Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Location:
Academic Annexes
Title of Publication:
Publication Site/Journal Name: Web of Science
Type of Authorship: Other
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Publication Site/Journal Name: Google Scholar
Type of Authorship: Other
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