Download CV

Valbona Karakaçi

My story

Project manager and strategic advisor with 20 years of progressively responsible experience in managing complex interventions in the field of international development cooperation. Extensive experience with Swiss cooperation in particular, including work experience with several of Swiss non-governmental organisations and research institutions. Co-founder of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation in Albania and representative for 5 years.

An internationally demonstrated track record of excellence in research, strategic analysis and steering, stakeholder and partnership management, evidence-based policy dialogue, knowledge management and learning, capacity and organisational development, process facilitation and project cycle management, gender and social inclusion.

Thematic expertise in a) public administration and service delivery: strategic planning and financial management (socially sensitive and gender mainstreaming), funding schemes and cost optimisation, public-private partnership, rural-urban linkages, performance monitoring and public information (inc. social equity) and b) democratic local governance: women’s political empowerment, citizen engagement, working with the media and civil society and engagement with diaspora.

Dynamic personality, proved social competence and value-based acting on integrity, empathy and honesty. A believer that curiosity, innovation and creativity are the main inspirations towards change and progress.

University and Research

Development and Civil Society

Be a Women

Education

My story

Academic Qualifications

  • Associated Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Shkodra
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Studies, University of Tirana
  • Master in EU Studies, University of Tirana
  • Bachelor in Philological Studies, University of Shkodra

Recent Professional Education and Training

  • Lucerne University (HSLU)-IDS/UK – Fiscal decentralization
    Helvetas – Advocacy and Policy Making
  • DDLGN – SDC Learning retreat on national oversight institutions / independent state institutions
  • DDLGN – IDS Learning Retreat on Sub-national Taxation and Financing
  • DDLGN – IDS Learning Retreat on Civic Engagement and Socially Inclusive Local Governance
  • Practitioners Course on Decentralisation and Local Governance (Institute of Federalism, University of Fribourg)
  • Harmonisation, Decentralisation and Local Governance (Development Partners Working Group on Local Governance and Decentralisation)

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

My story

Karakaçi, Valbona and Sarah Byrne (2017). Brokering Knowledge for Policy: A Case Study of dldp’s Role in Albania’s New Law on Local Government Finances. Tirana: SDC and dldp.

Karakaçi, Valbona et al (2014). Revenue Predictability and Sustainability of Local Governments in Albania.  Tirana: SDC and dldp.

Karakaçi, Valbona et al (2013). Guideline on calculating the costs for Solid Waste Management at Local Government Unit Level in Albania. Tirana: SDC and dldp.

Karakaçi, Valbona et al (2013). Manual on Medium-Term Financial Planning for Local Governments in the context of Albania. Tirana: SDC and dldp.

Karakaçi, Valbona (2013). Documenting and interpreting transition reality. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciencies, Vol 4, no 3, Roma 2013,  ISSN 2039-9340, impact factor 3.77

Karakaçi, Valbona (2012). Albanian Media of Diaspora: the challenge between the national identity and the global tendencies, AKTET scientific magazine of ALBSHKENCA Institute, 4 (4).

Kontakto /Contact

Let's talk

    Valbona Karakaçi
    Profesor & Consultant
    • Residence: Albania
    • Job: Profesor & Consultant
    • Address: Str. Ismail Qemali. Tirana
    • Phone: +1 256 254 84 56
    • E-mail: valbona.karakaci@helvetas.org
    Valbona Karakaçi