The International Cultural Relations Institute (ICRI) is the first think-tank in the Balkan region focused on the practical and theoretical promotion of Cultural diplomacy. ICRI is an international independent non-for-profit research center, serving as a platform for scientific and inter-cultural exchange, aiming to enhance the Cultural dimensions and capacities in the contemporary international relations.

The International Cultural Relations Institute (ICRI) is based in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Yet, ICRI is organized as an international network of researchers and experienced practitioners, as well as institutions and representatives of the public and the private sector.

Among the main focuses of ICRI’s work are the researches related to the geographic regions of Balkan, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean and Middle East. ICRI is making effort to foster the democratization in the international relations, as well as the exploiting the capacities of cultures, religions, identities and diversity as important tools in pluralistic dialogue of societies and civilizations.

Anticipating the changing realities and conscious for the long-term consequences and liabilities shaped through the cultural and educational isolation, ruling of communistic, totalitarian and undemocratic regimes in many counties and regions, the envisionaries and founders of ICRI have taken the responsibility to create a visible and feasible roadmap for change.

All ICRI’s research, analyses, education and consulting, are also aiming to transform the conflicting nature and image of the cultures and societies in Balkans and some neighboring regions into a creative potential and energy that will embrace the culture and techniques of dialogue and competition of ideas and visions.