News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Young European Ambassadors (YEA) platform is a creative network of future young game changers from across the Western Balkans and the European Union. Although YEAs come from different backgrounds, all of them share an interest in learning about the EU’s values, and to promote the opportunities that the EU offers. Most importantly, YEAs are
Read more →The Civil Society Scholar Awards support doctoral students and university faculty to undertake academic projects that will enrich socially-engaged research and critical scholarship in their home country or region. The candidates are selected based on their outstanding academic record, as well as their active engagement with local communities, their potential to champion open society values
Read more →CIVICUS published the ninth edition of its annual report, tracking civil society action on the significant trends that impact civil society. The report presents findings from the CIVICUS Monitor, that follow the conditions for civil society in 196 countries. It reviews and analyses leading events of 2019, exploring activism on the climate crisis; civic action
Read more →Each year at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF), several countries report to other Member States, UN Agencies, and the Major Groups, as well as other stakeholders on the status of implementation and achievement of the SDGs at the national level. This reporting is based on Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), where countries are expected
Read more →The Western Balkans are facing significant economic and social consequences due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The fragile economies, underdeveloped healthcare systems, and strained state-society relations struggle to cope with the effects of extended lockdowns. The article indicates that the region’s response to the Covid-19 crisis embodied two specific things. Firstly, the EU enlargement process has
Read more →After Freedom House “Nations in Transit” report placed Serbia in the category of a hybrid regime, 7 CSOs called on the Government to launch a severe societal dialogue on the state and the future of democracy in the country, as well as work hard towards ensuring the conditions for the improvement of democracy and media
Read more →The compendium brings together all the opinions and reports which, over the last thirty years, have enabled the EESC and CSOs to strengthen participatory democracy and become a necessary part of the European decision-making process. EESC has played a crucial role in creating a European public forum, growing stronger during the years. Significantly, it has
Read more →The space available for civil society, activists, and citizens have been under attack over the past decade. The report confirms a recent acceleration of the trend of ‘closing’ or ‘shrinking’ civic space. Triggered by both state and non-state actors through legal means like repressive laws, as well as through para-legal tactics, the backlash affect progressive
Read more →The publication is the second in a series of reports which analyzes the effects of the Corona crisis management on institutions, political and civil rights, parties, civil society, as well as external factors. While the governments have managed to prevent the healthcare systems from collapse, there is relaxation of the measures affecting civil and political
Read more →Governments are taking exceptional steps in response to COVID-19, such as enforcing social distancing and quarantine measures. Prohibitions against people gatherings have had a dramatic impact on civic space across the globe. A healthy civic space is vital in times of crisis, from nurturing innovative pandemic responses to ensuring vulnerable communities receive the proper support.
Read more →The Black Sea NGO Forum announced the start of the Leadership and Organizational Resilience in Times of Uncertainty Program, which aims to provide a unique space for learning, reflections, and thoughtful adaptation for CSO leaders and their organizations. Combining mentoring, coaching and training on adaptive leadership, organizational resilience and people’s skills, the Leadership Program guides
Read more →The COVID-19 pandemic has been a shock to the systems across the world. During this period, the society preparedness is essential. For non-profits and funders, investing in strong listening practices is a pivotal way to ensure that they are ready for the next crisis. The article presents four key listening competencies that non-profits and funders
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