News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: CSOs/ CSO networks in the Western Balkans Countries: Western Balkans Short description: The survey investigates institutional forms of giving in six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) and includes regional work across them. The survey is part of research focused on strategies and practices for supporting
Read more →On 14 August, thousands of Bosnians took to the streets to demand authorities act to curb violence against women after a man last week shot and killed his ex-wife while streaming the slaying live on Instagram. Bosnia’s citizens were angered in particular because of reports that the woman who was killed on Friday in the
Read more →Despite ongoing efforts by civil society, activists, and academia, the anti-defamation law was passed in Republika Srpska on July 20, sparking international criticism. This is not the sole threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina democratic freedoms. Republika Srpska’s proposed “foreign agents” law, utilized to stifle critical voices is another risk. Criminalizing defamation and introducing the “foreign
Read more →We, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), express our deepest sympathy to those affected by this devasting floods in Slovenia and who have experienced the loss of loved ones and homes. As a response, individuals, activists, and CSOs have come together to help those in need. Rescue teams have been mobilized, and donations of
Read more →CASE Coalition of which BCSDN member Civic Initiatives is a part, was involved in a public consultations on CoE Draft Recommendation to counter SLAPPs. They endorse the approval of the text by the Committee of Ministers and will continue to support CoE’s efforts in combating SLAPPs and ensuring the implementation of the draft by member states.
Read more →CPDE engaged in OECD DAC Civil Society Days, discussing local-led development, partnership changes, and CSO empowerment. Prioritizing community roles, attendees emphasized diverse perspectives for effective development. CPDE presented their equitable partnership report, addressing power imbalances. Challenges in funding relations were tackled, advocating for genuine partnerships. UNDP highlighted flexible modalities for local-led development. Communication strategies focused
Read more →FATF is welcoming proposals from various practitioners, experts, and stakeholders from the NPO sector and the financial institutions for the update of the FATF Best Practice Paper to Combat the Abuse of NPOs. This project is being undertaken in parallel to the proposed amendments to Recommendation 8 and its Interpretive Note (under public consultation) to
Read more →BIRN’s recent monthly digital violations review highlights Turkey and Croatia grappling with digital censorship and growing government control. Throughout the Balkans, journalists confront escalating online challenges. In Turkey, online censorship, surveillance, and arrests negatively impact independent journalism. Croatia’s proposed Media Law sparks concerns of government control, jeopardizing investigative reporting and source protection. In July, Turkey
Read more →According to the European Commission, defending democracy is high on its agenda. But its current approach to tackling the issue via its proposed Defence of Democracy package, which focuses heavily on threats coming from outside the EU, has significant shortcomings. By focusing on some symptoms of weakening democracies, such as covert foreign interference, the Commission
Read more →Major amendments to Bulgaria’s Law against Domestic Violence look set to enter into force in the face of fierce opposition from pro-Russian parties who say the changes promote LGBTI rights at the expense of ‘traditional’ family values. Responding to anti-violence protests following a brutal knife attack on an 18-year-old girl in Stara Zagora in late
Read more →The toolkit was developed to support different types of organizations (including for-profits), in their journey towards gender transformation. It contains a participatory gender self-assessment in 3 stages designed to assess organizations’ commitments and practices. It supports the process of self-reflection about how gender-transformative approaches are realized and practiced within organizations’ structures and networks. Last, it
Read more →Civil society often faces complex challenges with their access to financial services across the world. These challenges affect the three basic stages of the relationship between banks and CSOs: onboarding CSOs as clients (difficulty opening a bank account, extensive and burdensome due diligence); transaction monitoring and suspending/freezing accounts and transactions; as well as termination (ending
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