Since joining the Parliamentary Centre in 2003, Ivo Balinov has formulated and led key initiatives focused on the strengthening of inclusive democratic governance in complex political environments in over 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Eastern Europe. He currently coordinates the development of new programs and leads the Centre’s programming in Asia and Europe. Ivo holds an MA in European Studies from Carleton University, Ottawa. Ivo’s dedication to making a difference in his field of work has been underpinned by the understanding that sustainable democratic governance relies on functioning, constructive relationships between individual citizens, local civil society actors, and institutions of governance. He views the empowerment of marginalized groups to take part in the decision-making process as a prerequisite for development, peace and stability.
Ivo is a highly motivated, strategic thinker, innovator and team leader with a solid track record in building the capacity of civil society and governance institutions for evidence-based policy making and enhancing the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in the decision-making process. He is an experienced negotiator with a track record in developing and sustaining institutional and programming partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders: parliamentarians, high-ranking government officials, civil society and private sector actors, think tanks, academia, international organizations and funding agencies.
Ivo has a strong knowledge and understanding of global trends and challenges in the development of democratic institutions and processes with a particular focus on parliaments and their relations with civil society, individual citizens and other governance stakeholders. He is familiar with the project proposal processes of over twenty national and multinational funding agencies.