What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: Young Civil Society Leadership Programme 2025 – Inclusive Growth and Job Creation (Deadline: 31 August 2025)

Short Description: The Young Civil Society Leadership Programme (YCSLP), funded by the EU and implemented by the Anna Lindh Foundation, seeks 27 young leaders from Southern Mediterranean countries to participate in a 9-month youth empowerment programme. The programme builds skills in policy dialogue and advocacy while supporting participants to design and implement community-based actions promoting

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CfA: Art for Reconciliation – Open Call for Socially Engaged Projects (Deadline: 2 September 2025)

Short Description: The “Art for Reconciliation” call invites civil society organizations working in the fields of arts and culture in the Western Balkans to propose socially engaged projects that promote peacebuilding and reconciliation. The call is part of the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) programme under the “District of Reconciliation” project. Target Group: Civil

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CfA: 23rd International Youth Conference – “European Values for the Future for SEE Region” (Deadline: 8 September 2025)

Short Description: The 23rd edition of the International Youth Conference will take place from 25–29 September 2025, bringing together 58 young changemakers from 16 countries across the SEE region and the EU. The conference will focus on youth empowerment, democracy-building, human rights, sustainable development, regional cooperation, digital transformation, and addressing youth unemployment and political disillusionment.

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CfA: Online Course on Understanding and Responding to Hate Speech (Deadline: 8 September 2025)

Short Description: Facing Facts is offering a three-week online course designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to understand and respond to hate speech. The course provides a deep dive into legal frameworks, practical strategies, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), with a focus on building collaborative and effective responses. Target Group:

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CfA: Politik-Her Final Conference & Toolkit Launch – From Vision to Impact (Deadline: Ongoing Registration)

Short Description: The Politik-Her Final Conference “From Vision to Impact” will take place on 10 September 2025 in Brussels, marking the conclusion of a project dedicated to empowering young women in local democratic processes. The one-day hybrid event will feature keynote speeches, roundtables, and participatory workshops on inclusive policy-making, gender equity, and intercultural dialogue. Target

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BCSDN’s 2024 Civic Space Report is Out: Legal Gaps Deepen, Civil Society Under Increased Pressure in WBT

BCSDN has released its latest Monitoring Matrix report offering the most comprehensive regional assessment of civic space in the Western Balkans and Türkiye during 2024. Backed by a decade of on-the-ground monitoring, this year’s report sounds the alarm: while legal guarantees for civil society remain on paper, their enforcement is collapsing under political pressure, hostile

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EESC Opinion: The Importance of Institutionalising Civil and Social Dialogue in EU Candidate and Partner Countries

In the opinion published following the Plenary Session 598, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is strongly advocating for institutionalized civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries. This call was made during its plenary session in mid-July 2025, where an Enlargement Forum also highlighted the role of social dialogue, civil society,

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CIVICUS Watchlist Flags Serbia and Türkiye Amid Escalating Crackdowns on Civic Freedoms

CIVICUS Monitor has published its July 2025 Watchlist, identifying six countries where civic freedoms are under serious and escalating threat, including two countries from the region – Serbia and Türkiye. This marks the second consecutive Watchlist in which Serbia has been included, reflecting deepening concerns over government-led smear campaigns, legal harassment of civil society actors,

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Analysis of Fake News and Disinformation Narratives: “Protesters follow Picula’s anti-Serbia orders”

The Western Balkans Disinformation Center released an analysis on fake news in Serbia, highlighting a pro-government media campaign targeting student protests and university blockades over six months. These outlets aim to discredit activists by spreading falsehoods about their motives and funding, especially after a peaceful student event with European Parliament rapporteur Tonino Picula was portrayed

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EC New Briefing Highlights Rule of Law Conditionality as Key Safeguard of EU Budget

The European Commission has published a detailed briefing on the rule‑of‑law conditionality mechanism included in the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), highlighting its role as a key element in protecting the EU budget from violations of fundamental principles. The mechanism, fully in effect since January 2021, gives the Commission the authority to take measures—such as

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FATF: New Guidance on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Measures

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its Guidance on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering measures to help countries and the private sector expand access to formal financial services while maintaining risk-based controls. The guidance links financial inclusion to effective detection of illicit activities, emphasizing that increased access improves transparency and law enforcement’s ability

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New EPC Analysis: The Spitzenkandidat – Time to Rethink a Failing Democratic Experiment

Since 2014, the Spitzenkandidat system was introduced to boost democratic legitimacy by linking voters to the European Commission president’s selection through party lead candidates. Used for Juncker and von der Leyen, it has fallen short: rather than fostering debate or accountability, it created institutional confusion, strengthened the Commission politically, and weakened Parliament’s oversight—resulting in a

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