News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: NGOs, NGO networks, platform Countries: Europe/ Worldwide Short description: As a CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) Secretariat for Europe region, BCSDN is inviting NGOs and NGO platforms with experience in development cooperation and familiarity with Effective Development Cooperation principles and Istanbul Principles for CSO development effectiveness to join CPDE Europe. Link to
Read more →EU organizations have expressed their support, and concerns for the European Commission’s decision to conduct an impact assessment of the Democracy package. This decision comes after a written request from 230 CSOs. The organizations appreciate that the Commission recognizes the importance of considering the fundamental rights implications of the proposed package. They trust that the
Read more →Target group: Organizations and individuals in the Western Balkans Aim: The Western Balkans Fund (WBF) is inviting proposals for projects that promote regional cooperation and integration in the Western Balkans. The aim of the call is to support initiatives that contribute to strengthening cooperation, fostering dialogue, and enhancing mutual understanding among the countries of the region. Amount: Any
Read more →The Launch Event for the 2023 Tirana Civil Society Forum acknowledged the vital role of CSOs in bringing the region closer to the EU. The Forum is being held as part of the Annual Summit of the Berlin Process, hosted by the Government of Albania, the current holder of the Berlin Process Presidency. Seven working
Read more →The PAR Monitor report for North Macedonia 2021/2022 has been published by the European Policy Institute (EPI). The report is a compilation of findings from the Western Balkans in the six areas of PAR, which were defined by the Principles of Public Administration, known as SIGMA Principles. The PAR Monitor offers a comprehensive package of
Read more →The analysis explores the best practices from parliaments in the areas of transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption, and reflects how these approaches are applicable for the European Parliament (EP). Findings confirm the need for the establishment of an independent EU ethics body, granted investigative and enforcement powers with full transparency of enquiries, decisions and/or proposals
Read more →One year after the closing event of the Conference on the Future of Europe, there was little follow-up on citizens’ recommendations. While EPC recognizes the European Commission’s new generation’ of EU Citizens’ Panels, uncertainty remains how these deliberative exercises can connect citizens to the wider EU policymaking. Despite being a novel step in upholding the
Read more →The Global Gender Gap Index presents the 17th edition of the annual benchmarking of the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). The analysis yields key findings on the index results in 2023, trend analysis towards parity, and contextual
Read more →The article analyzes the recent protests in Serbia in response to violence and citizens’ demands. Despite only two of the nine demands being met, the minister of education has resigned, and the National Assembly held a session on mass shootings and security. However, the concessions made by the non-ruling party minister did not incur significant
Read more →On 6 June 2023, Philea and Civil Society Europe held a webinar discussing the impact of EU AML/CFT policy on civil society, featuring high-level policymakers and sector representatives. The timely discussion occurred amidst ongoing negotiations on the new EU AML/CFT Package, which is expected to be adopted soon and enforced in 2027.The conversation explored unintended
Read more →The European Parliament plenary voted in favor of strong fundamental rights protections in their official position on the Artificial Intelligence Act, including maintaining positive steps on fundamental rights impact assessments and transparency requirements. While EU wants to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure better conditions for the development and use of this innovative technology, in
Read more →EC presented its recommendations to Member States to ease barriers to cross-border philanthropy and to work towards a more enabling environment for civil society and the wider social economy. This is a result of the long-awaited European Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation on developing the social economy framework conditions and the guidance for Member
Read more →