The EAN Alumni Network
The network of alumni of The European Regional Master’s Programme in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe (ERMA).
A Brief Intro
ERMA Alumni Network (EAN) is the alumni association of the European Regional MA programme in Human Rights & Democracy in Southeast Europe. It connects over 650 graduates of the programme to its alma mater, and with each other.
EAN was established as a point of reference for communication with former students and as a platform for the ERMA programme to systematically foster professional and academic connections with its graduates.
Association Activities
EAN focuses on connecting, engaging, and empowering its alumni.
Through connection, EAN builds a global network of skilled human rights and democracy professionals by facilitating ongoing communication and collaboration among its members.
Through engagement, EAN creates meaningful opportunities for alumni to contribute to the activities of the ERMA Programme, the Global Campus, and other alumni networks. It also offers a platform to show alumni expertise and inspire future generations of human rights advocates.
Through empowerment, EAN supports alumni in strengthening their skills, increasing their visibility, and improving their employability and self-employability. By reconnecting graduates with their alma mater, EAN also contributes to the academic development of the ERMA Programme.
EAN has a number of activities aiming to connect, engage and empower its alumni. They range from informal networking gatherings to active involvement in the academic activities of the programme, such as Alumni lectures, Career Day, online discussions, and PhD Day.
Connect With Us
Team Members
Marija Ivanovic
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Marija works at GC SEE/ERMA since 2019 as Education Officer and has since taken on the role of ERMA Alumni Network Coordinator. With a passion for education, women’s rights, and the Balkans, she remains actively involved in shaping the ERMA community while pursuing her broader academic and advocacy interests. Marija is an ERMA alumna (2016/17) with a diverse academic background. She holds an M.A. in Political and Social Studies of Latin America from the University of Economics (Prague) and University Alberto Hurtado (Santiago de Chile), as well as an M.A. in Nationalism Studies from the Central European University.
Marjan Icoski
Alumni Relations Manager
Marjan Icoski is an ERMA alumnus from the class of 2014/2015, graduating Cum Laude from the program. Since 2015, he has been actively involved with ERMA, first as a project assistant through the Global Campus of Human Rights Internship Programme and later as an academic tutor. He now holds the position of ERMA Alumni Relations Manager.
Marjan holds a BA in Law and an LL.M in Civil Law and Civil Procedure from the Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Law in Skopje. His expertise lies in social and green economy, youth education, international project management, and European integration оf the Western Balkans region.
Divna Prusac
Board Member - Class 2021/22
Divna Prusac is a communications professional specializing in digital communications, with a strong interest in peacebuilding and regional cooperation. She currently works as a Marketing and Communication Specialist at the Regional Challenge Fund, developing strategies to promote vocational education. Her academic research focused on reparations as a legal remedy for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Passionate about using digital tools for advocacy, she believes effective communication drives positive change and sustainable peace.
Marko Matovic
Board Member
Marko is a strategic communication, project management, and public relations professional with over 12 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Istočno Sarajevo and is an alumnus of the European Regional Master’s Programme in Democracy and Human Rights (ERMA), class of 2016/2017.
Marko has held key leadership positions at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), serving as Communication Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Regional Communication Manager for the Balkans. Currently he works as communication and marketing coordinator for Entrepreneurs for Global Change, focusing on promoting entrepreneurial initiatives, fostering global collaboration, and supporting innovative solutions for sustainable development. Throughout his career, he successfully led communication initiatives for various organizations, demonstrating expertise in stakeholder engagement, media relations, and strategic messaging.
Benedetta Merlinon
Board Member
Benedetta Merlino is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, where she explores the interconnections between memory, state capture, and civil society in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is currently working in the Western Balkans Division at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Her main interests lie in democratization, post-conflict reconstruction, civil society, and youth engagement. Benedetta has collaborated with various civil society organizations, including the Post-Conflict Research Center (PCRC), and is currently leading the project Global Voices: Youth for Democracy, supported by the Global Campus Alumni
Maida Salkanović
Board Member
Maida Salkanovic is a communications professional with over 12 years of experience in the NGO sector, primarily in the fields of media and education. She has worked as a journalist, researcher, and trainer—among many other roles throughout her career. Outside of work, she enjoys writing fiction—and the occasional piece of bad poetry.