News and updates from BCSDN and the region
An urgent call for a systematic and institutional approach to combat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) in North Macedonia was issued today at an expert meeting in the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. Organized by the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security and the Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), the session highlighted
Read more →BIRN has released “Serbia on the Streets,” a new, free e-book compiling Balkan Insight’s extensive coverage of the student-led protest movement that swept Serbia from November 2024 to May 2025. Available now for free download in PDF and EPUB formats, the collection begins with the tragic Novi Sad railway station disaster on November 1, 2024,
Read more →The Civic Resource Center (CRC), in collaboration with Kobo Inc., recently hosted a vital training session on digital data collection and management, significantly boosting the capacities of civil society organizations across North Macedonia. Representatives from 26 CSOs participated, gaining hands-on experience with KoboToolbox, a powerful open-source tool designed for efficient field data collection, even in
Read more →The Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea), through its Journalism Funders Forum, has launched a survey to assess philanthropic engagement with media and journalism across Europe. The initiative aims to collect data on current funding levels, thematic and geographic priorities, and perceived challenges and gaps in supporting independent journalism. The findings will inform a more strategic and
Read more →Target group: Journalists based in Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, including individual reporters, freelance journalists, teams (reporters, editors, producers, videographers, photographers), and media outlets interested in cross-border or international reporting. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro Aim: To support original journalism projects that provide in-depth reporting from the Balkans,
Read more →Target group: Domestic, non-profit NGOs legally registered in North Macedonia for at least three years, especially grassroots groups representing youth, women, LGBTI+ communities, and ethnic minorities. Countries: North Macedonia Aim: To fight political corruption and strengthen integrity in political financing, legislative decision-making, and public resource allocation by leveraging publicly-available data and recent research. Activities include
Read more →Target group: Registered non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities, NGOs, and local/regional self-government units operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina Aim: To support small-scale development projects addressing local needs in line with the Slovak Republic’s Medium-term Development Cooperation Strategy 2025–2030. Priority sectors include sustainable infrastructure and natural resource use, food security and agriculture, good
Read more →Target group: Informal youth groups composed of at least 5 individuals aged 16–30 from at least three of the following Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Priority is given to individuals who previously participated in RYDE activities. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia Aim: To financially
Read more →Target group: Students, academics, professionals, and advocates interested in human rights, migration, and security studies. Countries: Open to international participants. Location: Mardin, Türkiye Short Description: The Human Rights Academy’s summer school explores the intersection of security and human rights through migration policies, offering global dialogue and critical reflection in a rapidly changing context. Duration: August
Read more →Target group: Youth (18–30), public servants, NGO members, and professionals from the energy and environmental sectors. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia Location: Čardaci, Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina Short Description: A 10-day interdisciplinary program organized by REIC with CEI support, focusing on energy policy, circular economy, and
Read more →Target group: Students and young professionals (20–35) with interest in security, IR, diplomacy, or geopolitics. Countries: Western Balkans and broader Euro-Atlantic region Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Short Description: A three-day regional seminar for youth to engage with experts on security challenges, co-create solutions, and foster cross-border collaboration. Duration: September 11–13, 2025 Link to more information: EACS
Read more →Target group: Journalists from 21 countries in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Countries: Albania, BiH, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Location: Pristina, Kosovo Short Description: A 6-day program to build investigative journalism skills through expert-led sessions on OSINT,
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