News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Developing leaders who can understand and navigate complex, dynamic systems is one of the best ways of addressing the future’s many challenges. Systems leadership is about cultivating a shared vision for change – working together with all stakeholders of global society. It’s about empowering widespread innovation and action based on mutual accountability and collaboration. The
Read more →More than five months after it approved a highly restrictive law, the Kosovo Parliament on 15 April voted on the amendments proposed by the Office of the President of Kosovo on the NGO Law, in line with best international standards and practices, and civil society demands. Since November 2018, around 300 Kosovar CSOs came together to prevent
Read more →According to the 8th annual State of Civil Society Report by CIVICUS, 2018 was another year of immense contestation for fundamental rights. On the one side stood rising right-wing populists, authoritarian presidents, large corporations with few scruples and anti-rights groups. Yet, on the other side, progressive, rights-oriented civil society and citizens bravely stepped forward to
Read more →Representatives of youth organisations or young human rights defenders from the seven target countries, with an interest in European and international affairs. Following participation in the programme, youth organisations and young human rights defenders from the region will possess the skills and knowledge necessary to engage in dialogue and be involved in advancing and promoting
Read more →In a time when the prevailing trend puts development cooperation at the service of foreign policy, securitisation and privatisation, today’s vote in the Foreign Affairs and Development Committees shows that the European Parliament is doing its part in shaping the upcoming MFF to be a true budget for solidarity and sustainability. In a joint session
Read more →The EU will continue to provide assistance to help prepare partners for future membership of the European Union and support their accession process. The Council today agreed its position (partial general approach) on the draft Regulation establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) for the period 2021–2027. The agreed text does not cover financial
Read more →After producing a five-month, multimedia series on the power of client and community feedback, Stanford Social Innovation Review conducted two audience surveys to understand the campaign’s influence. The results reveal that organizations increasingly plan to collect feedback and are devoting more resources to those efforts. Respondents also expressed ongoing challenges to making feedback a norm in program
Read more →Civil society organisations around the world are often faced with threats to their work. While some threats develop gradually, others are swift and require an immediate advocacy response. The CIVICUS Crisis Response Fund, established in 2007, helps to defend civic freedoms and democratic values. It presents a way to mobilise quick, principled and effective advocacy
Read more →Internews is implementing regional project “Strengthening Independent Media in Europe and Eurasia” which supports cross-border content production, including regional multimedia packages titled “Neighbors.” “Neighbors” provides audiences new opportunities to see how their neighbors are dealing with similar challenges. We are looking to partner with authors from Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Caucasus to create stories for
Read more →Governments in the Balkans are chipping away at transparency laws to make it harder for journalists and activists to hold power to account. According to an anti-corruption activist, access-to-information is often an extremely exhaustive and time-consuming process, especially when authorities are silent and avoid responding to requests. Read more here. Source: BIRN
Read more →Persons with disabilities are among the most excluded communities worldwide. The right to participate equally in political processes – to be voters, candidates, campaign staff, observers, political candidates and elected leaders – is especially important for persons with disabilities. Based on standards established in international commitments, these Guidelines to Promote the Political Participation of Persons
Read more →On March 11, World Movement for Democracy submitted a general comment on Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), outlining the rights of peaceful assembly and association established by international law and regional norms. The World Movement’s response focuses on the right of individuals and associations, including civil society activists
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