News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 2025 report, Better Legislation – Human Rights Impact Assessments in Lawmaking, reveals that the use of Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) remains uneven and often superficial across the EU and its Member States. The report criticizes that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is frequently overlooked in national
Read more →Two UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Groups have launched new guidance to help Member States ensure full respect for human rights while implementing measures to counter the financing of terrorism (CFT). The document provides practical recommendations for defining financing offences, gathering financial intelligence, conducting investigations, and applying targeted financial sanctions. It specifically examines the
Read more →SMART Balkans Research report: CSOs in the Western Balkans are at a decisive moment, confronting shrinking donor support alongside rising expectations tied to EU integration. Although these organizations have significantly contributed to democratization and citizen participation, their financial and organizational models remain fragile. Analysis reveals weaknesses in governance and internal management: while CSOs generally define
Read more →The potential new US National Security Strategy (NSS) signals a major threat to civic space and the international donor environment due to its “America First” approach. The NSS prioritizes transactional deals and “authoritarian accommodation,” while explicitly aiming to “cultivate resistance” in Europe by backing ethno-nationalist parties and framing progressive civil society as “suppression of political
Read more →The European Commission has adopted the new Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) work programme (2026–2027) and published the indicative timetable for the 2026 calls for proposals. This gives civil society a clearer overview of upcoming EU funding opportunities—the Union’s main instrument to protect and promote rights and values and support CSOs at all levels.
Read more →Short Description: The British Council launches the Culture Connects Grants scheme in the Western Balkans to support innovative artistic collaborations between arts and culture organisations in North Macedonia and UK creatives and institutions. Target Group: Legally registered arts and culture organisations in North Macedonia, including collectives, consortia, communities, charities, and private or public entities, working
Read more →Target Group: Local, regional, and global not-for-profit organisations working on journalists’ safety, legal protection, media freedom, investigative journalism, or strategic litigation. Aim: To support projects that strengthen journalists’ legal safety, advance media freedom, and help break the cycle of impunity for crimes against journalists. Countries: Global Amount: USD 15,000–50,000 per grant Duration: N/A Deadline: 2
Read more →Target Group: Women’s rights organisations, women-led CSOs, and rights-based civil society organisations legally registered and operating in Türkiye. Aim: To strengthen the civic and political participation of young women while addressing the rising risks of technology-facilitated violence against women (TF VAWG). Country: Türkiye Amount: N/A Duration: Project-specific (as outlined in the proposal and programme guidelines).
Read more →Target Group: Consortia of at least 3 media and news organisations from at least 3 different Creative Europe Programme countries, including non-profit, public, and private media outlets, media associations, NGOs, journalistic funds, and training organisations. Natural persons are generally not eligible. Aim: To support cross-border media collaborations that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and quality of
Read more →Short Description: The project Technical Support for Improving the Enabling Environment for Civil Society Organisations in the Republic of North Macedonia organises a thematic consultation bringing together key national stakeholders to discuss current practices, challenges, and legal solutions related to state funding for CSOs. Target Group: CSOs, relevant public institutions, representatives of the Working Group
Read more →Short Description: The Council of Europe invites civil society actors, government representatives, and international organisations to a two-day international conference dedicated to strengthening civic space and advancing democratic renewal across Europe. Target Group: CSOs, representatives of Council of Europe member states, international organisations, experts, and other stakeholders working on civic space, democracy, and rights-based advocacy.
Read more →Short Description: The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosts the third edition of Civil Society Week, a four-day forum bringing together civil society actors, youth representatives, policymakers, journalists, and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss People, Democracy, and Resilience as foundations for Europe’s future. Target Group: CSOs and networks, grassroots activists, youth representatives, EU
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