News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The global outlook foresees a moderate slowdown in economic activity, with lingering downside risks. Global trade growth has weakened, while investment prospects have softened; both of these remain important engines of growth, productivity, innovation, job creation and sustainable development. Debt vulnerabilities persist, and policy uncertainty is weighing on confidence. For developing countries, it is important
Read more →If national and international financial systems don’t change, the Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved, according to a new report out from the United Nations on Thursday. The 2019 “Financing for Sustainable Development Report,” a project of more than 60 agencies in the U.N. system along with partner organizations, sounds the alarm and outlines
Read more →Many practitioners have been implementing, advocating and exploring different ways of practicing Dynamic Accountability. However, they have not had the opportunity to share and exchange their practices and knowledge. A sharing and learning space, which could become a community of practice would allow practitioners, academics and donors to gather diverse perspectives and explore different solutions
Read more →Most NGOs define themselves through the specific issues upon which they work—climate change, human rights, international poverty—while remaining indifferent about the values to which they appeal for public support. If they were to more explicitly articulate the role of values in their communications and overall strategies, diverse interest groups would find a lot more in
Read more →The Global Civil Society Summit held on 8 April in Belgrade, Serbia, as part of the ICSW 2019, around 150 leaders and CSO representatives gathered to unite in the fight for democratic participation and civic freedoms. The Summit launched a Call to Action, calling for international and national civil society civil society to stand together
Read more →From 8-12 April in Belgrade, some 900 human rights campaigners, civil society leaders and engaged citizens met for the International Civil Society Week (ICSW) 2019 – a global civil society gathering co-hosted by CIVICUS, Civic Initiatives (Serbia) and BCSDN. Throughout the ICSW, it was evident that individuals and organisations are increasingly under attack in many countries. Activists,
Read more →On 18-20 September 2019, the partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth will organise a symposium bringing together up to 120 participants to explore questions, tensions, challenges and opportunities regarding the political participation of young people in today’s changing world and to create a space for learning
Read more →The “Envelope Affair” in Montenegro has triggered weeks of anti-Djukanovic protests, demanding the resignation of one of Europe’s longest-lasting leaders after his almost 30 years in power. The anti-government demonstrations came as similar protests were taking place in neighbouring Serbia and Albania where demonstrators are also seeking the ouster of leaders they accuse of autocratic
Read more →Active participation by CSOs is key to offering a comprehensive response to disinformation, says the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in its opinion Action Plan against Disinformation, adopted at its latest plenary session. Propping up the action plan to counter disinformation, presented by the Commission and the EU High Representative, EESC highlighted the fact
Read more →NGOs in Serbia have adopted a joint document aimed at preserving the civil society and its freedoms in the EU candidate country, after seeing a growing number of physical assaults on their activists and verbal abuse in pro-government media. The NGO sector also warned that Serbia’s EU accession process was not being used for essential reforms. The representatives
Read more →The U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Grants Program awards grants to non-profit and non-governmental organizations and independent media in North Macedonia for projects that support the development of democratic institutions. The Democracy Commission Grants Program will hold two rounds of competition in fiscal year 2019. Projects in the First Round will be focused on Citizen Participation
Read more →The Delegation of European Union to Albania is organizing three information sessions about the call for proposals Supporting Human Rights through Country-Based Support Schemes – EIDHR. The specific objective of this Call is to support organizations active in the field of human rights in Albania, targeting actions under the following thematic priorities: 1) Promoting of LGBT rights in
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