News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The 2024 CIVICUS State of Civil Society Report highlights global trends in civil society action, addressing conflicts, democracy, inclusion, and climate justice. Drawing from CIVICUS Lens and over 250 interviews/articles covering 100+ countries, the report emphasizes civil society’s response to crises, despite obstacles and repression. Civil society remains a vital source of hope, holding the
Read more →In an open letter to the EU institutions, 41 organizations specializing in democratic innovation urge the prioritization, promotion, and stimulation of democratic innovation and citizen engagement. Recognizing the increasing challenges to democracy, including disillusionment and disengagement, the letter emphasizes the need for bold measures. The organizations propose integrating citizen deliberation processes with clear objectives, quality
Read more →The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted the annual Civil Society Week, gathering over 800 representatives from CSOs and youth groups to discuss the future of the EU and the upcoming elections. The key messages included a call for more resilient democracies and youth involvement, combatting misinformation, prioritizing an economy that works for people
Read more →A coalition of human rights organizations, including ARTICLE 19 and Human Rights Watch, has called on social media platforms to protect users’ free expression rights and resist state censorship ahead of Turkey’s municipal elections on 31 March. The organizations emphasize the importance of transparency in disclosing government requests and pressure to restrict content. They criticize
Read more →The “Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Criminal Code” adopted on 20 July 2023, by the National Assembly in Republika Srpska, introduces criminal penalties for defamation, disclosure of personal information, and based on race, religion, or nationality. While previous analyses focused on media impacts, the ECNL examines how these amendments affect civil society, activists,
Read more →In 2023, press freedom in Europe faced diverse threats, despite a decrease in journalist killings. Wars in Ukraine, and Karabakh, and conflicts like the Israel-Hamas confrontation had repercussions on media freedom. Russia used war as a pretext to tighten control of media, detain journalists, and engage in transnational repression. The Council of Europe (CoE) report
Read more →The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) launched its manifesto for the 2024 EU Elections, advocating for journalism as a public good, and calling for support for independent journalism through funding, regulation, and safety measures. Key points include investing in journalism, ensuring safety for journalists, and regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly. The manifesto emphasizes the need
Read more →The National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania conducted an assessment to identify capacity-building needs for CSOs in the country. The assessment, based on an online survey completed by 113 organizations from all regions of the country, focused on areas such as organizational management, financial sustainability, policy-making participation, European integration, transparency, media collaboration, and
Read more →CIVICUS is actively involved in the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), aiming to strengthen civil society and democracy in the digital era through two main streams: empowering local civil society in the Global South to utilize digital tools for inclusive democracy and defending civil society by advocating for rights-focused policies and improved security measures. CIVICUS and
Read more →While the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans offers substantial financial aid and aims to incentivize reforms, it faces criticism on several fronts. Observers have dismissed it as offering easy money with loose accession conditionality, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Furthermore, the plan lacks a direct connection to the formal accession process, potentially
Read more →The philanthropic narrative increasingly emphasizes unrestricted funding, but data reveals a stark reality: only 20% of funding is truly flexible. Restricted funding poses challenges for both grant makers and grantees, hindering their ability to drive real social change. Grassroots movements suffer as competition rises, collaboration wanes, and administrative burdens soar. Donors must relinquish rigid control
Read more →Target group: Citizens interested in philanthropy and CSOs in North Macedonia. Aim: To support grassroots CSOs in North Macedonia by providing them with funding opportunities through the Donor Circle initiative. Amount: Approximately 100,000 MKD (approximately 1,600 EUR) for each organization Duration: N/A Deadline: 26 March Link to more information (Konekt)
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