What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: Interethnic Reconciliation Small Grants Program in BiH (Deadline: 29 March)

Target group: Youth aged 14-24 from ethnically diverse communities in BiH, CSOs, educators, athletes, artists, government representatives, marginalized groups, media organizations, and the public. Aim: Foster multicultural cooperation and dialogue, promote intercommunity exchange, collaboration, and joint projects, create positive change contributing to a multicultural, peaceful, and stable BiH, and increase tolerance and cooperation between ethnically

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CfP: IJ4EU Calls for Watchdog Reporters in Europe (Deadline: 31 March)

Target group: Investigative journalists and newsrooms/freelancers eligible for funding and support from all 27 EU member states and the following non-EU countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine. Aim: To support cross-border investigative journalism projects by providing grants to journalistic teams, including newsrooms and freelance journalists, enabling

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CfP: The Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund (Deadline: 11 April)

Target group: Young cultural practitioners and youth oriented CSOs in the field of culture Aim: To support youth cultural activism and foster creative solutions for social and political issues in the Western Balkans. It seeks to provide opportunities for young individuals in the cultural and creative sectors, promote cultural cooperation within the region, and recognize

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CfP: North Macedonia: Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy 2023-2024 (Deadline: 22 April)

Target group: CSOs, journalists, researchers, and vulnerable/marginalized groups in North Macedonia. Aim: To promote and protect human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law in North Macedonia. Specific objectives include advancing rule of law and democratic institutions, protecting and empowering individuals, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Amount: between 90,000 and 150,000 EUR, covering 60%

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CfA: WISEs4Youth Project Conference (Deadline: N/A)

Target group: Potential young social entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The WISEs4Youth conference explores EU support policies for youth social entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans, featuring outcomes, tools, and policy recommendations, along with young participants’ experiences. Open to the public, it blends in-person and Zoom attendance, highlighting regional initiatives and

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CfA: BIRN Voices Fellowship 2024 for Journalists in Eastern Europe (Deadline: 25 March)

Target group: Journalists from Central and South-Eastern Europe as well as the central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). Countries: Central and South-Eastern Europe Short Description: BIRN is inviting applications for its annual Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence under the theme “Voices.” Successful applicants will receive a 3,000 EUR bursary, collaborate with world-class editors,

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CfA: re:constitution Fellowships 2024/2025 (Deadline: 3 April)

Target group: Early-career scholars and practitioners in the fields of law, political sciences, social sciences, philosophy, and related disciplines, focusing on issues related to democracy and/or the rule of law in Europe. Countries: Residents of the European Union, non-EU EEA countries, EU candidate countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom Short Description: The re:constitution programme aims

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CfA: Competition for Investigative Stories on Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law in North Macedonia (Deadline: 15 March/15 April)

Target group: CSOs engaged in investigative journalism, journalists, researchers Countries: North Macedonia Short Description: Transparency International – Macedonia invites CSOs, journalists, and researchers to develop investigative stories on anti-corruption and rule of law topics. The competition, funded by the EU and Switzerland, seeks proposals related to the National Integrity System analysis. Duration: Competition open until

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CfA: Arts and Culture Funders Forum (Deadline: N/A)

Target group: European foundations actively supporting the social, green, and digital transitions, as well as art and cultural funders seeking collaboration and innovation. Countries: European countries Short Description: The “European Philanthropy for a Just Triple Transition” event gathers European foundations and funders to discuss support for social, green, and digital transitions. It fosters collaboration and

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BCSDN Membership in EESC

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has welcomed representatives from nine EU candidate countries to participate in the Enlargement Candidate Members’ (ECM) Initiative, marking their first involvement in EESC Plenary debates. BCSDN is delighted to announce that among those joining are four BCSDN representatives, including Ms. Biljana Spasovska, BCSDN’s Executive Director, Ms. Juliana Hoxha,

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EESC Civil Society Week 2024: Rise Up for Democracy (4 – 7 March, Brussels)

The Civil Society Week 2024, organized by EESC, will convene diverse voices from various sectors, including youth, journalists, and EU institutions, to discuss pressing topics on Europe’s future and democracy. Held in Brussels, #CivSocWeek will feature workshops, debates, and networking opportunities, aiming to empower citizens and influence European leaders’ agendas. As part of this event,

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Democracy Perception Index 2023 Published

The Democracy Perception Index (DPI) surveys people across 53 countries, representing over 75% of the world’s population, to gauge global perspectives on democracy. Although 84% express the importance of democracy, only 57% are satisfied with the state in their country. Economic inequality (69%), corruption (68%), and corporate influence (60%) are perceived as major threats. Concerns

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