The NATO Veterans Initiative endeavored to initiate discussions and lay the foundations for a non-profit, nonpartisan, and non-governmental trans-Atlantic veteran organization, aiming to conduct research and advocacy for shared values and bring together veterans from NATO countries. The concept had been circulating among a select group of veterans from various NATO nations for some time. In 2021, a LinkedIn page was deemed an appropriate platform to expand ongoing discussions about the formation of a "NATO Veterans" organization and was activated.​
The response to the idea was met with great enthusiasm and interest from veterans. The belief was that such an organization could create valuable networking, empowerment, and solidarity opportunities, serving as a valuable asset in upholding NATO's founding principles: democracy, the rule of law, and freedom.​
In its early stages, this idea sought powerful minds to collaboratively work on creating an acceptable framework to move forward. All veterans of NATO countries were invited to participate and become creators and founders of this unique effort by sharing their thoughts.​
The LinkedIn page served as an open platform for all NATO Veterans interested in the idea to voice their opinions. The NATO Veterans Initiative's White Paper was drafted, discussed, and finalized on the LinkedIn page. As a group of enthusiastic NATO veterans began creating content, the decision was made to establish our own website. ​
The next step was the establishment of NAVI. Following its incorporation as of June 13th, 2023, in Washington DC, NAVI has been granted, as of July 5th, 2023, an exemption by the IRS from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) and was coined as a public charity.​
The NAVI Research Institute, which is the research institute of NATO Veterans Initiative - NAVI that provides a unique perspective to transatlantic leaders and societies on peace and security through the lens of NATO's founding principles of rule of law, democracy, human rights, and individual liberties was officially established by the NAVI Board on July 16th, 2023.