Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)

The Institute for Democracy and Mediation is an independent non-governmental organization founded in 1999 in Tirana, Albania. Its mission is to advance societal capacities, generate and provide knowledge, skills and expertise for inclusive policy making and evidence-based alternatives to foster democracy and sustainable development. Accordingly, the profile and experience of IDM entails key comparative advantages in view of capacities for social science research and the intermediary role to support transformation-relevant research conducive to influence change processes and to make a contribution to social, political, and economic reforms. IDM has developed sound internal capacities, quality assurance mechanisms, institutional resources, synergies and partnerships with a broad range of national and regional stakeholders, including research, policy and academic institutions, governmental actors, civil society, media, regional and international agencies (EU, OSCE, NATO, UN, RCC) and foreign assistance missions present in Albania. A 15-member full time staff manages the programming and implementation of IDM activities in relation to the Institute’s areas of work.

Current topics of IDM regional research projects cover policy areas such EU integration reforms, public administration, civil society development, socio-economic policies, gender equality mechanisms, immigration and asylum, and regional security. Since February 2014, IDM is the Regional Research Promotion Programme’s (RRPP) Local Coordinator for Albania, whereby, through a number of national initiatives it aims to unleash the research and innovation capacities of the country and influence necessary systemic changes in social science research in Albania, so that the country has a better performing profile in international cooperation and knowledge production in the area. Around many of the above presented initiatives IDM has led efforts or contributed to the building of permanent structures of cooperation and networking for policy stakeholders, researchers, and scholars.

Elona Dhëmbo PhD is Head of the Research and Development Center within IDM and Senior Advisor for the RRPP Programme in Albania. Since 2005, Ms Dhëmbo is a fellow at the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana. She graduated as a social worker from the same department and holds a Master of Science in Comparative Social Policy, obtained at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford. Her main areas of interest and expertise include research in social sciences, social policy, and gender and development issues. Her working experiences in these areas include teaching and academic qualitative and quantitative research focused especially on issues related to gender equality, women, children, family-work reconciliation policies, etc. Her working experience is also rich in offering her consulting services to national and international institutions and organizations. Several of her works are published in national and international journals, as well as part of the publication works of the hiring organizations and institutions.

Erisa Lame MA is a Programme Manager within IDM and Local Coordinator for the RRPP Programme in Albania. She graduated in International Relations at the American College of Thessaloniki, Greece and holds an MA degree from the Central European University (CEU) in International Relations and European Studies. Her work experience includes public institutions (Ministry of Tourism, Agency of Research Technology and Innovation), offering consultancy services to international organizations (EU, ILO, UNDP, USAID etc.) and civil society sector focusing on democracy, regional development, EU Integration etc.  Her areas of interest are public policy, social science research, good governance and CSO development. As RRPP coordinator, she is pushing forward initiatives aiming at inducing systemic and sustainable changes to social science research in Albania.

Artela Mitrushi MA is a researcher within IDM. She has completed her studies from the American College in Thessaloniki in International Relations and holds a Master Degree in European Citizenship and Euro-Mediterranean Integration from the University of Roma Tre in Italy in 2011. She has a working experience in different fields such as: Human Resources, Public Relations that have helped her further develop her analytical skills and critical thinking especially related to the business sector and its dynamic environment. In addition Ms. Mitrushi  has worked as lecturer at the University ‘Marin Barleti’ in Tirana on subjects related to Albanian Integration in EU; Geopolitics and EU integration of South-Eastern Europe which have increased her awareness on the importance of information and public participation in the process of EU integration in Albania, and the positive impact it can have on the society. Her research interests include mainly social science research, EU enlargement policy and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.