Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools

What Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools does

Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools (CCAAIBWS) is a Baku-headquartered regional educational association founded in 2021 to serve International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools across Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The organization connects 46 member schools serving approximately 23,500 international students and 2,400 international educators, providing IB-specific professional development, regional advocacy, peer networking, and academic competitions. Its core offerings include the annual Experiential Learning Conference (ExLC) series rotating across member cities, the Silk Road Olympiad international academic competition, the CCAAIBWS Math Olympiad, the IBridge: Experiential Learning Talks podcast, and a portfolio of professional development workshops covering IB educator development, leadership trainings, university counseling, and onsite school workshops. The association also operates a University Counseling Service and offers consultation services for schools.

The business model is membership-based: schools pay recurring dues to join and gain access to events, workshops, and representation. CCAAIBWS supplements dues revenue with sponsorship (e.g., Bakcell for the 2026 AI Strategy Summit) and co-hosted events such as the COBIS Regional Teaching & Learning Conference 2026. Distribution relies on direct website enrollment and event-based engagement at member school locations, with marketing amplified through Instagram, the IBridge podcast on Spotify, and a website featuring event magazines and news. The leadership team comprises Chairman Francesco Banchini (also CEO & Director of the European Azerbaijan School and CIS Trustee), Regional Representative & Board Member Gulnara Salmen (IBEN Member, CIS Evaluator), and Director of the European School Tbilisi Sophio Bazadze.

Operationally, CCAAIBWS runs with a six-person staff and no disclosed venture or private equity backing, consistent with a non-profit/membership-association structure typical of regional IB networks. Its technology footprint is minimal — there are no proprietary AI/ML systems, APIs, or software products; the organization is a services-and-events platform rather than a technology company.

Name

Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools

Legal name

Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools

Website

https://ccaaibws.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CCAAIBWS is a Baku-based regional educational association founded in 2021 that serves 46 IB World Schools across six Caucasus and Central Asia countries, delivering professional development, regional conferences, and academic competitions to international educators and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Association Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAHAM

Program Quality Assurance, Accreditation & Compliance (Secondary Overseas Programs)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Overseas Secondary School Programs (Boarding, Exchange, Summer)

Keywords

• International education association
• IB school membership
• Professional development training
• Academic olympiad programs
• School consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baku

HQ country

Azerbaijan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Schools pay membership dues to join the association and gain access to professional development resources, networking events, and representation with organizations and authorities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CCAAIBWS is a regional membership association that supports International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools across the Caucasus and Central Asia through annual conferences, educator professional development workshops, academic competitions, university counseling, and consultation services. It also produces the IBridge podcast and represents member schools with international organizations and regional authorities.

Product overview

CCAAIBWS is an association serving IB World Schools in the Caucasus and Central Asia region (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan). The organization operates as a platform-plus-services model, providing: the Silk Road Olympiad as its flagship international academic competition; the Experiential Learning Conference (ExLC) series as its premier annual professional development event; the IBridge podcast for ongoing educational leadership content; comprehensive Professional Development Workshops spanning IB educator training, leadership development, and university counseling; and consultation services for member schools. The association connects 46 member schools serving approximately 23,500 international students and 2,400 international educators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Silk Road Olympiad: International academic initiative bringing together talented students from across the world to engage in rigorous inquiry, interdisciplinary exploration, and global collaboration, organized under the leadership of CCAAIBWS.
• Experiential Learning Conference (ExLC)
• IBridge: Experiential Learning Talks

Products and services

• Silk Road Olympiad International academic competition organized by CCAAIBWS that brings together talented students from around the world for rigorous inquiry, interdisciplinary exploration, and global collaboration, inspired by the historic Silk Road exchange of knowledge.
• Experiential Learning Conference (ExLC) Annual regional conference series organized by CCAAIBWS for educators, school leaders, and decision-makers from across the Caucasus and Central Asia, rotating between cities in member countries (Baku, Astana, Tbilisi).
• IBridge: Experiential Learning Talks Podcast Podcast by CCAAIBWS featuring conversations with experienced international educators on topics related to educational leadership, available on Spotify.
• Professional Development Workshops Workshop program for member schools covering IB Educator Development, Leadership Trainings, University Workshops, PD Workshops (annual series from 2022–2026), Onsite Workshops, and IB Workshop Days.
• University Counseling Service Support service for students and families in navigating university admissions and higher education options, offered by CCAAIBWS.
• Consultation Services for Schools Advisory and consultation services provided to international and local schools in the Caucasus and Central Asia region.
• CCAAIBWS Math Olympiad Annual international mathematics olympiad hosted at member schools, bringing together young mathematicians from different schools and countries.
• Festival of HOPE Regional education festival bringing together students and educators for collaborative learning experiences, hosted at rotating member schools through an annual call for host schools.
• Membership (School & Individual) Recurring membership offering for IB World Schools (and an Individual Membership option for educators) providing access to professional development resources, networking events, conferences, workshops, and representation with international organizations and authorities.

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BakcellminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Bakcell served as a valued sponsor for the CCAAIBWS AI Strategy Summit 2026, which was hosted at the European Azerbaijan School. This sponsorship enabled the association to bring together educators, industry leaders, and innovators for discussions on AI in education.
• COBIS (Council of British International Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CCAAIBWS works in association with COBIS to host the COBIS Regional Teaching & Learning Conference 2026. This partnership brings together educators, school leaders, and decision-makers from across the region for meaningful dialogue on teaching and learning.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO): IBO is the global body that owns the IB curriculum and authorizes IB World Schools. Not a membership peer in the same sense, but the umbrella organization whose authorization decisions directly drive CCAAIBWS's addressable member base.
• Council of International Schools (CIS): CIS is a global membership organization offering accreditation, PD, and university counseling support to international schools. CIS is a direct functional peer at the global level; CCAAIBWS Chairman Francesco Banchini is a CIS Trustee and Regional Representative Gulnara Salmen is a CIS Evaluator.
• Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE): AAIE is a global membership organization serving international school leaders through conventions, advisory services, and leadership programming. Comparable in target audience (school heads/leaders) and conference-driven delivery model.

Direct peers

• Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS): ECIS is a membership association serving international schools across Europe and beyond, providing PD conferences and accreditation support. Highly comparable in mission and member-services model to CCAAIBWS, though it operates at broader European scope.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS): COBIS is a membership association supporting British international schools globally and is CCAAIBWS's most direct functional peer — both organizations provide PD, conferences, and accreditation support to international schools. CCAAIBWS is in formal co-production partnership with COBIS for the 2026 Regional Teaching & Learning Conference.
• East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS): EARCOS is a regional membership association serving international schools in East Asia with conferences, PD workshops, and leadership programs. Closely analogous organizational structure to CCAAIBWS but operating in a different geography.
• Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA): NESA is a regional association serving international schools in the Near East and South Asia, providing PD, conferences, and institutional support. Functionally parallel to CCAAIBWS in serving overseas/international schools in an emerging-market region.
• Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA): CEESA is a membership association serving international schools across Central and Eastern Europe with PD events, tournaments, and accreditation support. Directly comparable peer in mission and operational model to CCAAIBWS.

Regional players

• Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA): AASSA is a regional association of American/international schools across South America offering PD, conferences, and member services. Comparable to CCAAIBWS in structure and mission though operating in Latin America.
• Tri-Association (ACAM, ACM, CAS): Tri-Association is a regional membership body serving international schools in Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Functionally analogous to CCAAIBWS as a regional international-schools membership association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ccaaibws

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caucasus and Central Asia Association of IB World Schools