The European
Confederation of
Directors’ Associations

Representing board members at European level to help shape better policy and stronger governance.

— Who we are

Complementing
Director Education
Across Europe

Enhancing national board education through the European Board Diploma (EBD) - a unique programme that equips directors with a European approach to board governance, strengthens board leadership and connects them to a growing alumni community.

— European Board Diploma

learn more

— Welcome to ecoDa

Chair’s message

As President of ecoDa, I am proud to represent the collective voice of over 50000 board members across Europe and 21 organizations supporting their professional commitment. Second, we are the voice of directors in Europe, bringing the real-world experience of boardrooms into the European debate. When Europe shapes corporate law and board duties, ecoDa ensures that the perspective of those who bear ultimate responsibility is heard. We advocate for regulation that is effective, proportionate and enables strong governance rather than box-ticking.

We believe that when directors are better prepared companies are stronger. And strong companies build a stronger and more competitive Europe. This is our commitment.

ecoDa Board Chair

Maria Pierdicchi

— This is who we are

About ecoDa

ecoDa is the European Confederation of National Directors' Institutes. We represent thousands of directors across member states, shaping corporate governance policy, advancing director education, and connecting boardrooms across Europe.

— This is what we do

Three pillars of ecoDa

We are the European Voice of Board Members. ecoDa is an independent actor and a unique umbrella organization representing the main national institutes of directors in Europe

— 01

Advocacy

Speaking on behalf of European directors in Brussels with the Commission, Parliament, and standard-setters.

— 02

Education

Setting the European standard for board directors through our own diploma and a network of national programs.

— 03

Cooperation

Connecting national institutes so that experience flows both ways, from mature markets to new ones, and back.

ecoDa in numbers 

26

institutes

26

countries

21

years shaping EU governance

55.000

individual members

— Proud of our work

Our initiatives

ecoDa actively drives European governance forward through targeted initiatives, policy advocacy, board-level education, and strategic research partnerships.

— Welcome to ecoDa

General Director’s message

I am proud to lead ecoDa, with the strong support and commitment of our Chair, Board members and team, at a time when effective governance has never mattered more.
We bridge countries, sectors and governance traditions to create common understanding in an increasingly complex world, where expectations continue to rise. ecoDa is the connective intelligence of European board governance — the place where Europe's governance community learns together, speaks with one voice and shapes the future together.

ecoDa Director General

Béatrice Richez-Baum

Our members

— Meet our members

Voice of our members

“

Being part of ecoDa means being part of a community of organisations that share our commitment to strong, independent, and responsible boards. We particularly value the opportunity to learn from peers across Europe, exchange ideas and best practices, and contribute to important discussions on the future of corporate governance. Through ecoDa, we have built lasting professional relationships and gained valuable insights that help us better support independent non-executive directors in Poland. We are proud to be part of a network that fosters collaboration, mutual learning, and the continuous improvement of governance standards across Europe.

Ewa Radkowska-ŚwiętońPolish SNCRN
“

We are proud to play an active role in ecoDa. It provides the UK Institute and our members with insights from the EU to plan for the regulation and legislation which could impact UK businesses going forward. Through the collaboration with ecoDa we benefit enormously from best practice and innovation others have undertaken.

Jonathan GeldartUK IoD
“

ecoDa membership connects BICG with other European institutes of directors as well as governance experts and works as a network for sharing the latest governance thinking, standards and best practices. Our members benefit from access to wide international experience, quality education and stronger professional connections, while also contributing their own perspective towards strengthening the European governance community and the global competitiveness of European businesses and economies.

Rytis AmbrazeviÄŤiusBICG
“

Through ecoDa, we have the opportunity to connect our members with their peers across Europe, empowering them to think and act beyond boundaries.

Michael HilbSwiss IoD
“

We highly value ecoDa’s role as the leading voice for corporate governance in Europe. Being an ecoDa member enables the Croatian Corporate Governance and Management Society to exchange knowledge and best practices with peer organisations, contribute to shaping governance standards at the European level, and bring the latest developments and insights to the Croatian business community. The membership strengthens our ability to promote high standards of corporate governance and support boards in addressing emerging challenges.

Darko TipurićCCGM
“

For DIF, ecoDa’s advocacy work in the field of corporate governance is of great importance. Also, we benefit from the opportunity to learn from other national institutes’ experiences and best practices.

Leena LinnainmaaDirectors' Institute Finland
“

What ILA values about being a member of ecoDa is the opportunity to bring Luxembourg’s governance voice into a wider European conversation while learning from the experience of leading corporate governance and directors’ institutes across Europe. Through ecoDa, ILA can better anticipate emerging governance developments, contribute to European policy dialogue, and give our members access to broader insights, good practices and training that strengthen their role in the boardroom.

Philipp von RestorffILA
“

The challenges facing supervisory boards are increasingly European – and so must be the dialogue among Non-Executive Directors. As fea, we are a member of ecoDa because we want to actively promote cross-border exchange, the sharing of best practices and a common understanding of good corporate governance across Europe.

Daniela MattheusFEA
“

Being part of ecoDa gives the Slovenian Directors' Association access to a wealth of shared knowledge and policy insight that we simply couldn't develop on our own. It keeps us closely connected to governance developments across Europe and gives our members a direct voice in shaping the European corporate governance agenda. For a national institute our size, that combination of learning and representation is what makes the membership so valuable.

Irena PrijovićSlovenian Directors' Association

Publications & Position Papers

ecoDa calls for Corporate Governance to remain central to EU Inc

ecoDa calls for Corporate Governance to remain central to EU Inc

ecoDa response to the open feedback on the final revised ESRS

ecoDa response to the open feedback on the final revised ESRS

Staggered Board Publication

Staggered Board Publication

2025 Annual report

2025 Annual report

European Corporate Governance Barometer with Ethics & Boards

European Corporate Governance Barometer with Ethics & Boards

Revision of the EU Shareholder Rights Directive

Revision of the EU Shareholder Rights Directive

European Corporate Governance Barometer

European Corporate Governance Barometer

EFRAG calls for expression of interest on VSME digital tools and platforms

EFRAG calls for expression of interest on VSME digital tools and platforms

ecoDa response to the EC Consultation on Better Regulation

ecoDa response to the EC Consultation on Better Regulation

Call to action: Make the EU Sustainability Omnibus a Strategic Imperative for the Board

Call to action: Make the EU Sustainability Omnibus a Strategic Imperative for the Board

— Education

European Board Diploma

A unique programme designed for European board members by senior European board members. The ecoDa programme is designed as an add-on to the national education programmes.

— Education

National Programs

Our members offer specialized certification tracks, board simulations, and continuous development frameworks for governance excellence.

— Guidance

Unlisted Companies Guidance

With the growing public scrutiny of corporate behaviour and public demand for improved corporate accountability and transparency, ecoDa wanted to share principles of good governance that are adapted to the specific challenges faced by unlisted companies.

We are the European voice of Directors. 

— All that you need

Member resources

As a member you have access to our comprehensive repository of governance resources, including research reports, policy briefings, and practical guidance tools. Through your account, you can also access partner insights, academic publications, and specialized training materials designed to support board performance and international collaboration.

— Join our events

Upcoming events

Our Ecosystem

Academic Partners

Media Partners

Corporate Associates

Digital Partners

Data Partners

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