Iva Cukic was born in Belgrade. In 2008 she graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade where she earned her doctoral degree in urban planning. The areas of her research include public space, self-organisation, DIY philosophy and urban-cultural discourse. In 2010 she co-launched one of the first initiatives aimed at fostering citizens' participation in urban development, initiating dialogue between citizens, social activist, urban developers, architects and city officials about development of the city, called Ministry of Space.
From 2012 she is programe and art director of the Street Gallery in Belgrade, first open exhibitional space for comunity and for sharing and co-creation. She worked as guest lecturer and associate on the Interdisciplinary studies at the Department for urban planning at Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade. In the partnership with NGOs from Belgrade, in 2016. she co-launched the study program "Studies of the Commons", which seeks to explore, apply and experiment with the concept of commons in the local/regional context. She is an author of the book "Map of action" about the urban activism in Serbia, for which she got a special mention within the Ranko Radovic prize. Since 2006 she is engaged in professional practice, participating in numerous research projects, studies, workshops and seminars, local and international exhibitions. She is a member of INURA (International Network for Urban Research and Action), European Commons Assembly, European Network CitizensLab and Independent Cultural Scene of Serbia.