News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The EU approves membership negotiations with BiH, eight years post-application, following the European Commission’s recognition of BiH’s progress in aligning with EU standards. The president of the European Council, Charles Michel welcomed the decision, affirming BiH’s place in the European family. President of the EC von der Leyen hails historic advancements, including foreign policy alignment
Read more →RECLAIM, an initiative aiming to counter the EU’s democracy crisis and the increasing global disregard for human rights, launches an EU Law Helpdesk to aid European CSOs combating government efforts to restrict civil society. Autocratic-leaning governments enact laws limiting CSO operations, violating democratic principles. RECLAIM offers legal counseling, assisting in constructing arguments, suggesting procedural avenues,
Read more →Western Balkans leaders, under the Berlin process, launched the Common Regional Market initiative, centered on the four freedoms and including digital, investment, innovation, and industry policies. The Western Balkan countries undergo different progress and challenges of the Common Regional Market initiative, focusing on the ratification status of mobility agreements. While Montenegro ratified all four agreements,
Read more →The European Parliament held a public hearing on 20 March, discussing on the Future of Europe, featuring topics such as the Conference on the Future of Europe and the European Parliament’s Treaty Change Resolution. The members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) assessed progress and future steps, aiming to enhance EU competences, while discussions
Read more →The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI), which analyzes transformation processes toward democracy and a market economy in international comparison and identifies successful strategies for peaceful change, presents its 2024 results for Eastern European countries. Despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causing anxiety, the report presents fostered cooperation and a shift towards Western alignment. Progress in democratization,
Read more →The Liberties Rule of Law Report 2024, fifth annual edition, examines the state of the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights in 19 EU countries. Produced by Liberties in collaboration with 37 organizations, it is the most comprehensive analysis of the EU Rule of Law by an NGO network. Serving as both input for
Read more →Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama faced backlash for allegedly intimidating journalist Ambrozia Meta during a press conference in Tirana. Rama refused to answer Meta’s questions about an investment project involving Jared Kushner on the environmentally protected island of Sazan and was condemned as intimidating behavior. Despite demands for an apology, Rama defended his actions, claiming
Read more →The European Policy Center (EPC) discussion paper emphasizes the rise of deliberative democracy in Europe as a response to public demand for meaningful engagement. It identifies three key obstacles: fears of shifting power dynamics, a lack of innovative thinking, and diverging views on citizen participation. The paper also makes the case that the Union’s existing
Read more →A recent BIRN analysis reveals a concerning trend of violence and abuse targeting LGBT individuals in BiH and Serbia, particularly through popular dating apps like Grindr. Incidents such as a series of attacks in Sarajevo, where perpetrators lured victims via Grindr, highlight the risks faced by the community. Despite the prevalence of such crimes, hate
Read more →In a world marked by widening disparities between nations, initiatives like Adeso’s Pledge for Change offer hope for systemic transformation. The recent Supporter’s Sprint event, part of this initiative, is a shift in how INGOs engage in humanitarian aid and development. By envisioning a future where communities are empowered to drive their own development, the
Read more →The updated Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) responds to the evolving humanitarian landscape by renewing commitments to crisis-affected communities. Developed with input from over 4,000 voices across 90 countries, the revised CHS prioritizes fundamental rights and aims for greater accessibility. While maintaining its core principles, the CHS now emphasizes a more people-centered approach, empowering communities to
Read more →Sida’s announcement to terminate all multi-year agreements with Swedish NGO partners by the end of 2024 has sent shockwaves through the community. This decision heralds a significant shift in funding dynamics, opening opportunities for global organizations to compete for support starting January 2025. The move, prompted by government directives, aims to implement a new funding
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