ODA Consulting didn’t begin with a formal plan—it began with two high school students, Erblin Hoxha and Ardi Shatri, who discovered their passion for debating. What started as an extracurricular activity quickly became their pathway to something much larger. Over the next five years, Erblin and Ardi found themselves in debate tournaments across the world, testing their ideas and sharpening their skills. They participated in European and World University Debating Championship, as well as in numerous regional and European tournaments. One of their proudest moments was at the World Universities Debating Championship Berlin 2013, where they reached the Quarter Finals—a first for any team from Kosovo.

Their success in debate sparked a deeper desire to share what they’d learned. In 2013, they founded Debate Center, an organization that would soon become a cornerstone of critical thinking and public speaking training for high school and university students throughout Kosovo. Over the past decade, they’ve trained more than 5,000 students in critical thinking and public speaking and established Kosovo’s National Debate Tournament as a yearly tradition. 

For Erblin and Ardi, debate wasn’t just a competition—it was a way of life. Known for their tendency to overly debate every issue as their friends know it, they came to believe that critical thinking and public debate are the cornerstones of a healthy and prosperous society. This belief became central to their work. As they expanded their careers, they became deeply involved in the civil society sector, focusing on anti-corruption, good governance, and policy development. They worked with a variety of civil society organizations, gaining hands-on experience in policy development, project management, and governance frameworks. These experiences, especially those tied to donor-funded initiatives, showed them the importance of effective governance in shaping a society.

Driven by their thirst for knowledge, Erblin earned his Master of Science in International Political Economy from the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas, while Ardi completed a Master of Arts in International Economic Policy Analysis at Westminster University in London, UK. With these qualifications, they returned to Kosovo to apply their skills and to contribute to both the public and private sector.

Ardi brought his expertise to the public sector, where he spent four years shaping energy policy and leading projects that involved major international collaborations. His work in this field deepened his understanding of governance frameworks and the complexities of working with diverse stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Erblin ventured into supporting young entrepreneurs by helping university students turn their ideas into thriving businesses through mentorship, resources, and practical training. Later, he transitioned to a role that focused on strengthening the private sector by providing training and coaching to business leaders, which sharpened his ability to navigate the intersection of policy and business.

Despite their growing experience in the private sector, both Ardi and Erblin remained deeply committed to public service and education. Erblin continued his work in promoting public discourse and transparency through efforts aimed at enhancing governance and driving anti-corruption reforms. Alongside these initiatives, Erblin took on key leadership roles as a board member for programs focused on educational development and leadership, contributing his vision to initiatives that support the country’s ongoing progress. Over time, both of them honed their strategic thinking and leadership skills by contributing to vital governance and education initiatives, supporting the development of the country through their expertise in public policy, private sector growth, and international collaboration.

Both Erblin and Ardi have always been passionate about public discourse—specifically, the need for a healthier, solution-focused debate in Kosovo. They have witnessed the growing problem of divisive and negative political conversations that often overshadow the issues at hand. Through their work, they emphasize the importance of creating a space where debate and discussion can happen in a constructive and meaningful way. Their political consultancy services are centered on fostering dialogue that leads to actionable solutions, encouraging leaders and citizens alike to engage in a discourse that builds unity and progress rather than division.

As their careers progressed, their paths continued to cross with people and organizations in need of the skills they had honed—whether in policy analysis, governance, capacity building, project management or strategic communication. It was only a matter of time before they decided to formalize their work under a new venture. Thus, Overly Debating Associates (ODA) Consulting was born, bringing together a team of experts from various fields.

Today, ODA Consulting stands as a dynamic firm that combines the founders’ unique backgrounds in debate, public policy, and civil society with the expertise of its diverse team. The company specializes in communication services, political consultancy, policy analysis, strategic planning, monitoring & evaluation and research, providing customized solutions for each individual client. ODA’s work is grounded in the belief that critical thinking, effective governance, and healthy public debate are the keys to building a better future for Kosovo and beyond.

What started as a high school passion has evolved into a full-fledged consultancy firm that partners with organizations and clients across sectors. Erblin and Ardi didn’t set out to create a company—but through their journey, ODA Consulting came to life, fueled by their desire to make an impact and the many collaborations they’ve nurtured along the way.