News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The EU is preparing to accelerate Montenegro’s accession negotiations, with plans to close all remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026 and prepare a first draft of the Accession Treaty by the end of September, Pobjeda reports. The move follows consultations among ambassadors of key EU Member States amid concerns over increased regional hybrid
Read more →The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) delivers a civil society blueprint for shaping the Stakeholder Platform of the new European Centre for Democratic Resilience, a key part of the European Democracy Shield. Recognising civil society as an integral part of democratic infrastructure and resilience, the blueprint calls for the Platform to be an advisory body
Read more →With civil society increasingly reliant on EU support as other funding sources contract, a European Policy Centre analysis examines whether the next Multiannual Financial Framework can deliver on the ambitions of the Democracy Shield and the EU Civil Society Strategy. Despite these new political commitments, the proposed MFF provides only a marginal increase in democracy
Read more →The European Commission is preparing proposals to redesign rules for new EU member states, which are expected to be discussed at the European Council summit beginning on 15 October 2026. The planned changes respond to concerns among some current Member States about the potential impact of future enlargement on EU decision-making. France, Germany and the
Read more →An analysis by the European Democracy Hub examines lessons from Hungary’s recent political change for international democracy aid, highlighting the role sustained support to independent civil society played during years of democratic regression. Hungarian NGOs faced legal restrictions, harassment, intimidation and hostile public narratives, while continuing to provide independent information, investigate government misconduct, defend rights,
Read more →The Citizens’ Alliance for Reform and Growth (CARGrow) published its second ex-post monitoring report on North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda 2024–2027, assessing 39 reform steps across governance and public administration, green and digital transition, human capital, the business environment, and fundamental rights and rule of law. The findings point to progress in establishing legislative, strategic and
Read more →The Arts and Culture Funders Forum will bring foundations and practitioners together in Paris on 21–23 October 2026 to explore how impact in arts and culture can be understood beyond quantitative indicators. As foundations face growing pressure to demonstrate results, conventional measurement approaches can narrow artistic practice into predefined outputs and fail to capture learning,
Read more →Target Group: Civil society and not-for-profit organisations, including NGOs, charities and grassroots organisations working on cultural heritage. Aim: To support heritage-led civil society projects that build CSO capacity, contribute to green, digital and social transformation, strengthen democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights, and promote peace, stability, intercultural dialogue and reconciliation. Countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Read more →Target Group: Nongovernmental organisations, including civic organisations, associations, independent media and other similar organisations working to advance democratic goals. Aim: To support nonpartisan initiatives that advance democracy, including human rights and rule of law, independent media, accountability and transparency, stronger civil society, democratic institutions and processes, civic education, freedom of association and democratic conflict resolution.
Read more →Target Group: Legally registered not-for-profit organisations, CSOs, research institutions, international organisations and consortia. Applications involving local Albanian organisations and institutions are strongly encouraged. Aim: To support the sustainable reintegration of Albanian nationals returning from the United Kingdom by strengthening reintegration pathways, improving access to opportunities and support, and building the capacity of Albanian institutions to
Read more →Target Group: Cross-border teams of at least two professional journalists and/or independent local or national news outlets from at least two different European countries. At least 80% of the requested budget must go to journalists or media from EU countries. Aim: To support independent, in-depth cross-border investigative journalism on topics relevant to European audiences, including
Read more →Target Group: Legally established for-profit startups and scaleups in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) developing tech-enabled, market-driven and IP-leveraged solutions. Aim: To accelerate the growth, investment readiness and international expansion of high-potential creative ventures through the Shape Acceleration and Scale Post-Acceleration programmes. The 2027 cohort focuses on fashion, architecture and audiovisual media.
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