Who We Are

Development Solutions Associates (DSA) is a think tank and service provider specialized in economic research, SME development, agribusiness and rural development, and is registered as an NGO in Albania in 2006. DSA provides consulting and research for donors implementing economic growth and private sector development projects in Albania. The DSA team has conducted research and implemented projects for World Bank, FAO, USAID, SNV, EBRD, EU, GTZ, MADA, World Vision, Open Society Foundation, Swiss Development Cooperation, Italian Cooperation, EU SME Competitiveness project etc. and for public research institutions. We have a team of international and local consultants with diverse and complementary skills and both a practitioner and academic backgrounds. This enables us to complete highly professional research in agricultural and private sector development.

We have extensive experience in applied economic research, projects design and implementation, and policy advice to donor agencies. We are specialized in value chain analysis, sector research, rural/local development studies, marketing research and SME development services. We have conducted value chain and SWOT analysis for various agribusiness sectors and have provided recommendations on how donors can support their development. We have in-depth information about the latest developments in these sectors and the operations of their main actors. In addition, we have conducted studies focused on assessment of local resources and local development. We work closely with leading agroprocessors providing them assistance to increase market access, completing business plans and feasibility studies.

DSA is now widely regarded as a leading rural and agribusiness development think tank and business service provider in Albania. DSA team works closely together with different leading research institutions, including University of Bologna, University of Hawaii, FAO, Agriculture University of Tirana, University of Fribourg, and European University of Tirana. DSA has signed MoUs of co-operation with the three latter institutions.