Connecting people, policy, and purpose...
WHO WE ARE
IPL has grown into a leading public policy research and consulting center, working with government institutions, local self-governance bodies, international organizations and private stakeholders in Albania and the Western Balkans.
At IPL, we see ourselves as a bridge
— connecting civil society and non-state actors with government processes that directly impact daily life. We believe public participation is essential to shaping a democratic society where everyone has a voice in decisions that matter.
Our vision is to be recognized as an active contributor to the development of pluralistic democracies and smooth EU integration in the region — a region where the rule of law enables individuals and their organizations to exercise rights, influence change, and build a better future through voluntary action.
We are committed to promoting European values at every step of the policy-making cycle — from drafting laws to ensuring their implementation reflects the needs of citizens. IPL’s work is rooted in the evolving needs and aspirations of Albanian society during this pivotal period of transformation.
ABOUT
Our focus areas
Our focus areas include:
- Professionally contributing to the drafting of public policy and legislation in crucial fields such as Rule of Law, Anti-Corruption, Justice and Home Affairs, Environment, Rural and Regional Development, and Cohesion Policy.
- Supporting the implementation of adopted policies through institutional development, capacity building actions, administrative tools, and implementation mechanisms.
Good Governance and Rule of Law
Legal and Policy reforms
Research & Advocacy
Youth & CSO Empowerment
Shaping a just and inclusive society—one policy at a time
We are a multidisciplinary team of the experienced Albanian consultants with track record on areas as European integration, administrative procedural law, local government, service delivery and public finance management.
We also have a wide network, international and local of collaborators consisting in of counsels, academy staff, consultants, civil servants and practitioners in the area of administrative law, service delivery, Policy formulation, Finance programming and local government development.
TEAM
Florian Xhafa
Executive Director
Florian Xhafa is a Senior Legal Expert with over 22 years of experience, including more than 18 years specializing in European integration, legal approximation, and institutional strengthening in Albania. He holds a BA in Law and an MA in European Studies, both awarded with distinction by the University of Tirana. Mr. Xhafa has led and contributed to major legal harmonization initiatives and institutional reforms aligned with the EU acquis. His public service career began as a lawyer at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (1999–2001), followed by key roles at the Prime Minister’s Office (2001–2004) and the Ministry of European Integration, where he served as Head of the Coordination Unit for Legal Approximation (2004–2007). He played a central role in the negotiation and early implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement of Albania. Since 2007, Mr. Xhafa has worked as a senior legal and policy advisor on more than 30 projects funded by the EU, UNDP, OSCE, and the World Bank. Most recently, he served as Team Leader in the EU-funded project “Support to European Integration of Albania.” In parallel with his consultancy work, he has also lectured on consumer protection law at Tirana Business University and authored numerous publications on EU integration and legal reform. Mr. Xhafa is fluent in English and Italian and is a member of the Albanian Bar Association.
Zhani Shapo
Chairman of the Board
Zhani Shapo is a senior administrative lawyer and policy advisor with over 23 years of professional experience in legal drafting, administrative law, civil service reform, and public administration modernization in Albania and the Western Balkans. He holds a Master’s Degree in European Studies and Bachelor's Degrees in both Law and Finance. Mr. Shapo has led or contributed to over 70 national and regional legal reform projects focused on administrative procedures, institutional restructuring, and regulatory simplification. His experience includes long-term advisory roles with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Public Administration in Albania. He is a recognized contributor to key legislative frameworks such as the Civil Service Law, the Code of Administrative Procedures, and laws on local government and public integrity. He has worked extensively as a legal expert with the EU, OECD/SIGMA, World Bank, UNDP, and Council of Europe, and has served as Team Leader or Senior Expert in a range of EU-funded and donor-supported public sector reform initiatives. Mr. Shapo is also a Lecturer in Administrative Law and Regulatory Environment at Tirana Business University. As Chairman of the Board of IPL, he provides strategic oversight and guidance for the Institute’s policy research, legal reform, and governance initiatives.
Gledis Gjipali
Board member
Gledis Gjipali is a legal and EU integration expert with over 18 years of experience in European affairs, civil society leadership, public communication, and institutional development. He holds a law degree from the University of Tirana and is certified in Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Management by TIPA & InWent. Mr. Gjipali is the Executive Director of European Movement Albania (EMA), where he has led numerous projects related to EU integration, policy communication, and public outreach. He has coordinated national consultation platforms, such as the National Convention on European Integration, and has contributed to the development of public strategies and legal reforms in cooperation with government bodies, civil society, and international organizations. His expertise spans EU approximation, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and research-based advocacy. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Albanian Law Journal and Director of the Eurospeak online magazine, and has contributed to more than 20 policy publications. His regional experience includes engagements across the Western Balkans in IPA programming, parliamentary support, and EU-related policy monitoring. Mr. Gjipali lectures on European integration and communication at various academic institutions and is fluent in English and Italian.
Sokol Andoni
Board member
Sokol Andoni is a finance and business management expert with over two decades of professional experience in financial reporting, corporate budgeting, tax compliance, and operational oversight. He holds a degree in Finance from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. Since 2000, Mr. Andoni has served as Head of the Finance Office at Alba Beton Ltd., a major Albanian company in the construction materials and civil works sector. In this role, he oversees the preparation of financial statements, budgeting, cost analysis, investment assessment, and regulatory compliance. He has led internal financial teams, managed interactions with tax authorities, and ensured alignment with evolving legal frameworks in Albania’s fiscal legislation. His expertise lies in financial strategy, liquidity management, and accounting systems coordination. Fluent in English and Italian, Mr. Andoni also brings strong organizational and managerial skills to the governance of IPL.
Erina Troka
Project Coordinator
Erina Troka is a legal consultant specializing in European Union law, legislative research, and policy development, with experience in both national and international legal environments. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Tirana, a Master’s in European Business Law from Radboud University in the Netherlands, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Civil and Commercial Law at Luarasi University. Ms. Troka joined IPL in 2023 and has been actively involved in Albania’s EU integration process, including supporting the development of a management information system for monitoring EU acquis alignment. She has contributed to drafting policy briefs, legal documents, and project reports, as well as conducting research on EU law and national legislation. Her professional background includes roles with the European Movement Albania, the Support to EU Integration project (SEI), and international legal consultancy in the Netherlands. She is fluent in English, Italian and Turkish and possesses advanced skills in research, legislative analysis, and project coordination.
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