The Centre for the Study and Cooperation of Yugoslavia with Developing Countries was founded in Ljubljana, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, during a time when the Non- Aligned Movement and Yugoslavia’s role within it were well established but faced a period of stagnation. A part of the response to this impasse was the creation of this Centre, which aimed to strengthen Yugoslavia’s engagement with the Non-Aligned Movement by institutionalising the generation of knowledge about developing countries and their cooperation with Yugoslavia. Its mission was interdisciplinary, combining research, education, and policy support. This article explores the Centre’s formative years from 1966 to 1973, situating it within the socialist political environment and academic system, and tracing its evolution into an institution of federal significance. Despite the scarcity of archival sources, the article demonstrates how the Centre operated as a link between academic output, foreign policy, and international cooperation, providing new insights into the institutional aspects of “non-alignment from below.” By emphasising an institution rather than state-level diplomacy, the article adds to recent historiography that reexamines the infrastructures of socialist globalisation and activities related to non-alignment.