The Balkan Civil Society Development Network was established following the initiative for the Capacity Building Hub Programme, which was part of a larger initiative called the WCC South-East Europe Ecumenical Partnership. By bringing together churches, ecumenical and civil society organizations, this initiative aimed at promoting their co-ordination and co-operation. The Capacity-Building Hub Programme, implemented by the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC), focused on strengthening individuals/staff and organizational capacities and skills of involved agencies.
The initial pilot programme ran from 2001 to 2003, within which were organised 5 country visits and accompanying reports, 3 partnership meetings, 5 trainings, 7 exchange and consultancy visits and a web training-directory and addressbook were published. In December 2003, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network was launched as an informal network. On 6 July 2009 in Skopje, Macedonia, the network held its Founding assembly and since 30 September 2009 is a legaly registered.