Mario Bajkuša

Executive Director | Humphrey/Fulbright Alumnus

Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

About

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." -- Derek Bok "I don't want to express alienation. It isn't what I feel. I'm interested in various kinds of passionate engagement. All my work says be serious, be passionate, wake up." -- Susan Sontag | "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings." -- Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Experience

  • Forum za slobodu odgoja (21 yrs 10 mos)
    • Executive Director
      Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    • Development and Programs Director
      Mar 2010 - Aug 2025 · 15 yrs 6 mos

    • Program Coordinator
      Mar 2008 - Mar 2010 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      Program and project development. Project management. Head of the scholarship administration programs. Trainer in several civic education programs.

  • Associate at the Wond'ry
    Jan 2023 - Apr 2023 · 4 mos

    As part of my professional affiliation, I contributed to the implementation of two flagship programs within the Social Innovation department: - Map the System: A global competition focused on systems thinking, encouraging students to explore and address complex social and environmental challenges. Supervisor: Jackie Hansom. - Climate Innovation Accelerator: This initiative fosters a synergistic network of local universities, small businesses, and nonprofits, all collaborating to support Nashville’s goals for a climate-positive future. Supervisor: Sarah Saeed.

  • Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC) (8 yrs 5 mos)
    • President of the Board
      Jan 2015 - Apr 2021 · 6 yrs 4 mos

      The Network of Education Policy Centers (NEPC) is an international consortium of organizations focused on improving educational policies and practices across diverse contexts. It is committed to promoting evidence-based policymaking, fostering inclusive and equitable education systems, and strengthening the capacity of educational stakeholders through collaborative research, advocacy, and policy development. During my tenure, I played a key role in enhancing the organization's governance by developing a new organizational structure and drafting updated Bylaws, which were subsequently approved by the General Assembly, ensuring more efficient operations and clearer strategic direction.

    • Member of the Board
      Dec 2012 - Apr 2021 · 8 yrs 5 mos

  • APR - Akademija za politički razvoj (Academy for Political Development) (3 yrs 4 mos)
    • President
      Apr 2018 - Jul 2019 · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Member of the Board
      Apr 2016 - Apr 2018 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Administator at Croatian Social Sciences Data Archive
    Nov 2008 - Oct 2009 · 1 yr

    Program development. Administrative work