What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: BIRN Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence (Deadline: 22 June)

Short Description: The Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is a six-month programme supporting aspiring and mid-career journalists in producing in-depth investigative stories on issues of public interest, while benefiting from professional editorial mentorship and publication opportunities through leading media platforms. Target Group: Aspiring and mid-career journalists aged 18–35 with at least three years of professional

Read more →

CfA: Balkan SAYS 2026: Youth Security Conference (Deadline: 10 July)

Short Description: Balkan SAYS 2026 is an international youth security conference bringing together students, young professionals, policymakers, and experts to discuss contemporary security, foreign policy, and Euro-Atlantic challenges through panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Target Group: Students and young professionals aged 20–35 with a background or strong interest in international relations, security and defence,

Read more →

CfA: Matra Rule of Law Training Programme 2026–2027 (Deadline: Multiple)

Short Description: The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is a fully funded professional development programme offering hybrid training courses on democratic institutions, human rights, public integrity, public procurement, administration of justice, border management, and public service delivery. Participants will gain practical knowledge, exchange experiences with peers from the region, and become part of an

Read more →
BCSDN News

BCSDN Welcomes New Board Member Güneş Engin Karamancı

The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board. Güneş, who has recently assumed the position of Secretary General at TÜSEV, brings extensive experience in civil society monitoring, legal frameworks, and regional advocacy. She has a long-standing collaboration with BCSDN, having actively contributed to

Read more →

Serbia’s Students Are Not Giving Up: When Accountability Meets Resistance

What began as a reaction to the Novi Sad railway station tragedy has evolved into one of Serbia’s largest civic mobilisations in recent history. Led by students and supported by citizens, workers, academics, farmers, and trade unions, the movement has grown into a broader call for accountability, institutional responsibility, transparent governance, and democratic renewal. At

Read more →

Trust and Partnership at the Heart of EU Enlargement: BCSDN Brings Civil Society Priorities to High-Level EESC Conference

BCSDN participated in the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference organised by the EESC in Vienna under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Held ahead of the upcoming EU–Western Balkans Summit, the conference brought together representatives of EU institutions, governments, CSOs, and policy experts to discuss enlargement, democratic resilience,

Read more →

Hajde4EU Launches 2025 Assessment of EU Support to Civil Society

CSOs across the Western Balkans and Türkiye are invited to contribute to the 2025 assessment of the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society 2021–2027, conducted by Hajde4EU on behalf of the European Commission (DG ENEST). The survey explores key issues affecting civil society, including civic space, legal frameworks, public funding, and CSO

Read more →

Kos: Albania Enters the Final Stage of EU Accession Negotiations

Albania has officially entered the concluding phase of its EU accession negotiations after fulfilling the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements under Cluster 1 “Fundamentals”, becoming only the second candidate country after Montenegro to reach this stage. Speaking at the latest Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos described the development

Read more →

Five EU Members Propose Gradual Accession of the Western Balkans to Single Market

Five EU Member States- Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia have proposed a gradual, merit-based integration of Western Balkan countries into the EU Single Market, aiming to maintain enlargement momentum and strengthen the region’s alignment with the European Union. According to the proposal, candidate countries could progressively access additional EU programmes and policy areas

Read more →

North Macedonia: CSOs Warn Proposed Amendments to the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games Could Cut Funding for Vulnerable Groups

CSOs in North Macedonia are calling on Members of Parliament not to support proposed amendments to the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games, warning that the changes could seriously undermine the financial sustainability of organisations providing essential support to vulnerable communities. Organisations including the Network for Protection against Discrimination, the Gender Equality Platform,

Read more →