News and updates from BCSDN and the region
In the field of international development, there is a particular form of collaboration whereby international NGOs partner with local civil society organisations to give them funding and technical support. The idea behind it is that local organisations should be getting international donor support, but are unable to manage these funds themselves. International partners are therefore drafted in
Read more →“School as a community center” is an important instrument in strengthening local communities. This model aims to transform the school into the place where partnerships between local government-school-family-community are built, as an environment that is in service and in interaction with the community; which contributes to youth development and civic engagement; supports families and community development with respect to local safety and their commitment to decision-making and the strengthening of local democracy. In this context, IDM has been piloting the project “Advancing school boundaries towards resilient communities” in the municipalities of Cërrik and Peqin, Albania. Read more here Source: IDM Albania
Read more →The GlobalFocus Center project has carried out an analysis of risks and vulnerabilities in the six Western Balkans countries, to assess permeability to malign influence (i.e. ethnic divisions, group fears, economic disparities, administrations’ disfunctionality and corruption etc.). Through identifying context-specific interests of state and nonstate propaganda/ pressure and pinpointing the auspicious conditions and dissemination channels, concrete case studies deconstruct the modus operandi
Read more →The report, based on a database complied by OpenDemocracy, found that “countries across Europe have criminalised acts that facilitate illegal immigration”. While some laws are said to be intended to deter human smugglers they are also being used to target “humanitarian actors, including search and rescue boat crews and volunteer lifeguards”. As many as 250 people across
Read more →How do you have to plan and prepare to monitor an assembly? What do you need to observe when you are there? What do you do with the information you gather through first-hand observation? How do you deal with the media? This Briefer on Monitoring Public Assemblies gives a quick rundown of principles and practices human rights
Read more →As previously covered in the CIVICUS Monitor, concerns have been rising over a perceived increase in state affiliated civil society in Serbia. Most worryingly, these groups have been shown to play a role in smearing and harassing independent civil society groups that are critical of the government. On the other hand, other civil society groups close to the security
Read more →The European Commission published the reports and analysis of the progress made in April 2019 by Facebook, Google and Twitter to fight disinformation. The three online platforms are signatories to the Code of Practice against disinformation and have committed to report monthly on measures taken ahead of the European Parliament elections in May 2019. Vice-President for the Digital Single Market
Read more →The Open Government Partnership (OGP) published a thoughtprovoking collection of essays to breathe new life into the debate on the future of Europe. The essays are written by a diversity of European voices from all Member States, including leading decisionmakers, civil society activists, journalists, academics, and youth leaders, among others. The publication focuses on three main ideas: Better quality dialogue and participation on issues people care about, Smarter use of technology, combined with ‘European-style’ regulation and More collaboration and leadership inside the EU and across the globe. Read more here Source: OGP
Read more →Continuing the efforts of the Balkan Civic Practices edition on Promoting Civic Space, BCSDN invites contributions from its members and partners in the form of op-eds, articles, case studies and creative reflections for the second edition, themed “Resilience through Togetherness”, to be published in June 2019, with the support of the Balkan Trust for Democracy. Contributors should submit abstracts
Read more →Transparency Macedonia published a call for applications for actions related to the fight against corruption. The aim of this call is to provide support CSOs in Macedonia that, in cooperation with the media/journalists, will carry out activities related to advocacy for transparent and anti-corruption practices of local and national authorities. Five small grants of up
Read more →Visegrad+ Grants support projects which contribute to the democratization and transformation processes in selected countries and regions, especially non-EU member states in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries. Maximum duration of project implementation is 18 months. Grants cover up to 100% of project budget with maximum 15% of the requested sum for overheads.
Read more →Institutional grants are intended to support institutional development and organizational strengthening of individual CSOs. The institutional grants need to contribute to at least one of the results of Civica Mobilitas, namely: enabling environment for civil society, citizens’ engagement, cooperation and civic participation. 15 institutional grants will be awarded amounting between MKD 3.000.000 and 4.500.000. Find
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