Vesa Bashota is a Program Assistant at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Kosovo, working specifically on programs aimed at political parties’ development and democratic system strengthening, with a focus on political participation of women, youth and minority communities in parties, the executive and the National Assembly. Previously, she worked at GIZ and a local consultancy firm, on matters of private sector development, youth employment and women’s property rights.

She completed her studies at Rochester Institute of Technology in Kosovo (RIT Kosovo) with majors in Economics and Public Policy and a minor in International Relations. Her thesis project focused on the refugee crisis and explored its potential for positive consequences in Europe. Further, she has participated in numerous international conferences and programs such as the European Forum Alpbach, Harvard World MUN, Harvard National MUN, or Young Leaders for Tomorrow’s Europe.