ECE Brussels and IDUEP Launch Strategic Cooperation to Advance EU Integration and Democratic Development

The European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels) begins to expand its network of partnerships aimed at promoting good governance, EU integration, and innovation across Europe and the EU candidate countries. In early October 2023, ECE Brussels signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Institute for Good Governance and Euro-Atlantic Perspectives (IDUEP), a leading civil society organisation from North Macedonia.

This new partnership is already delivering results. ECE Brussels and IDUEP have launched a number of joint initiatives, including the European and Regional Dialogue Exchange Visits (ERDEV), the "Say it Loud and Clear" Academy for Excellence in Communication and Advocacy, and the EU-based Experts’ Network for EU Accession Institutional Capacity Building. In parallel, both organisations are actively working to broaden their cooperation and to build new relationships with institutions, organisations, and stakeholders across EU member states and candidate countries.

The partnership with IDUEP is fully aligned with ECE Brussels’ mission to foster cross-border dialogue, support the EU accession process of candidate countries, and promote excellence in governance, communication, and democratic development. By connecting civil society actors and public institutions from the Western Balkans with European partners, ECE Brussels plays a key role in facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting positive change on the ground.

ECE Brussels is led by Dr Aleksandar Ivanovski, President of the Executive Board. A dual citizen of Belgium and North Macedonia, Dr Ivanovski brings significant European and international expertise to the Centre. He holds a doctorate in EU law and tax subsidies from Queen Mary University of London, and has extensive experience in EU affairs and policy, having served as Director at CFE Tax Advisers Europe in Brussels since 2016. His professional background also includes work as a tax inspector, academic teaching in EU law, and leadership roles in European civil society.

More information about Dr Ivanovski is available on LinkedIn and Wikipedia.