Partners & Donors

Partners

BCSDN cooperates on a regular basis with European and international networks and organisations working on civic space, EU enlargement policy and civil society issues in the Balkans.

CIVICUS

BCSDN has a long-standing partnership with CIVICUS, contributing to global efforts to protect civic freedoms and bring developments from the Balkans to international attention. As a research partner of the CIVICUS Monitor, BCSDN monitors freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression across eight countries, providing regular updates and supporting international attention and advocacy when civic space deteriorates. BCSDN also engages with CIVICUS through AGNA and the Vuka! Coalition, connecting regional perspectives with wider global advocacy and solidarity.

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

BCSDN has maintained long-standing engagement with the EESC, using its forums, consultations and policy processes to bring Western Balkan and Türkiye civil society perspectives into EU-level discussions on enlargement, civic space and democratic participation. BCSDN and representatives of its member organisations are also part of the Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM) initiative, which gives civil society representatives from candidate countries a more structured role in the EESC's work and strengthens their participation in the EU enlargement process.

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

BCSDN cooperates with FRA on civic space monitoring and protection, bringing its Monitoring Matrix experience and regional perspective to European discussions. It has participated in FRA expert exchanges and contributed to the FRA Civic Space Updates with analysis on North Macedonia. In 2026, BCSDN also joined the FRA-led Civic Space Monitoring Network, in the context of implementation of the EU Civil Society Strategy.

European Civic Forum (ECF)

BCSDN became a member of the European Civic Forum in 2024, strengthening the connection between civic space developments in the Western Balkans and wider European advocacy. Through ECF, BCSDN contributes regional evidence and perspectives to European civic space debates and joint advocacy, including through its contribution of the Western Balkans chapter to ECF's annual Civic Space Report.

ECNL

BCSDN has a long-standing cooperation with ECNL on civic space, the enabling environment for civil society and related legal and policy developments, through the methodological work on the Monitoring Matrix and related joint initiatives, research, expert exchanges and advocacy. In recent years, the collaboration has focused particularly on the impact of AML/CFT frameworks on civil society.

Global Standard for CSO Accountability

BCSDN is a founding member partner of the Global Standard for CSO Accountability, contributing to international efforts to strengthen CSO accountability, transparency and organisational resilience. Through the partnership, BCSDN engages in mutual learning and global exchange, including work to strengthen CSO accountability and self-assessment in Albania and North Macedonia.

Accountable Now

BCSDN joined Accountable Now's Friends tier in 2024, strengthening its engagement with global efforts to promote accountable, transparent and resilient civil society organisations. Through the network, BCSDN exchanges knowledge and practices on dynamic accountability and organisational development.

CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE)

BCSDN is a member of the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) and has contributed to global advocacy for development cooperation that reflects civil society perspectives and the principles of development effectiveness.