BalkanIDEA network has been founded with the very help of the EYF, Directorate for Youth and Sports, CoE being funded as the pilot project in 2000.

In May 2000, BalkanIDEA International meeting in Ohrid gathered 192 students and NGYOs from the SEE, in addition of DE/IT/NL/PL/ES/TR/UK. The meeting generated a permanent discussion platform for students and NGYOs in the Balkan region, with a view to further promoting inter-ethnic and intercultural dialogue and co-operation. In late 2000 the BalkanIDEA as a project has been announced by EYF to be one among few, most successful projects financed by the EYF pilot projects.

Today, the international non-governmental youth organisation – network, BalkanIDEA operates in most of the SEE countries, being coordinated by two main locals BalkanIDEA Novi Sad