Ivan Blažević

Ivan Blažević is a social innovator whose work centers on the idea of radical solidarity. He currently leads the Engaged Democracy Initiative at the European Fund for the Balkans, where he focuses on turning passive citizens into active participants in shaping their communities.

With more than 15 years of experience, Ivan has worked across philanthropy, civil society, and institutional spaces - from founding community foundations to advising private foundations and major corporations. His work bridges the gap between grassroots movements and institutional power, showing how local engagement and strategic philanthropy can help protect human rights in an increasingly complex political landscape.

Ivan’s contributions have been widely recognized, including receiving the European Parliament’s European Citizen Award, along with four other distinctions for his work in civic engagement and social innovation.