What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: Small Grants Program in North Macedonia (Deadline: 30 June 2025)

Target Group: Registered non-commercial legal entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local/regional self-government units in North Macedonia. Aim: To support small-scale, locally driven development projects aligned with the Slovak Republic’s development cooperation priorities, with an emphasis on flexibility and rapid response to local development needs. Grant Amount: Up to €10,000 per project (total call budget: €20,000)

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Financial Impact of USAID’s Funding Termination on Macedonian Civil Society

North Macedonia’s civil society is bracing for a significant blow following the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) decision to reduce its funding substantially. For over thirty years, USAID has been a key player in supporting democratic reforms, fostering the growth of civil society, and promoting private sector development in the region. From 2025

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Networking CSOs for Successful Civic Initiatives

The Civic Resource Center (CRC) in Skopje recently hosted a networking meeting focused on action grants for local initiatives, bringing together grantees and partners from the civil sector in North Macedonia. This gathering confronted the persistent challenges facing organizations in inner Macedonia, where limited logistical access and scarce resources pose significant obstacles to effective operation.

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BCSDN at POINT 13 – Civil Society in the Western Balkans Navigating a Shrinking Space Amid Funding Freezes and Shifting EU Priorities

The civil society landscape in the Western Balkans is facing unprecedented challenges, a critical issue highlighted at the 13th POINT Conference held in Sarajevo on May 29-30. Toshe Zafirov, BCSDN’s Communications and Advocacy Officer, represented the network at the conference, discussing a pressing topic: “Civil Society Between a Rock and a Hard Place—How to Navigate

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BIRN Report: Media in Kosovo and Serbia Prioritize Crises Over Daily Realities

A recent report released by BIRN Serbia and Internews Kosova reveals that Kosovo and Serbian media tend to concentrate primarily on crises and incidents when covering the complex relationship between the two nations. The report, titled “Journalistic Perspectives on Serbia-Kosovo Relations,” argues that this limited scope contributes to growing mistrust and the spread of misinformation,

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Civic Space Report 2025: Unprecedented and Intensified Attack on Civil Society in Europe

Europe is experiencing a dangerous rollback of civic freedoms, in a context where the promise of universal rights and democratic values, enshrined in the EU treaties, is being steadily eroded by interconnected economic, social, cultural, and political factors. The European Civic Forum, in its latest Civic Space Report, documents an “unprecedented and intensified attack” on

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North Macedonia: Government and Opposition Jointly Amended the Electoral Code to Prevent Citizen Initiatives from Participating in Elections

In a vigorous response to proposed amendments to the Electoral Code in North Macedonia, various civic initiatives presented their demands to Parliament on May 30, calling for markedly easier conditions for independent candidacies. These groups are advocating for a maximum requirement of just 50 signatures for independent lists, permission to gather signatures outside State Election

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EDI Convention in Skopje: Empowering Citizens Engagement

Skopje was the backdrop for the third convention of the Engaged Democracy Initiative (EDI), where nearly 100 activists, journalists, and changemakers converged from across the Western Balkans. Hosted by the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) from 21-23 May, the event carried the theme “Engage, Inspire, Empower!” and tackled pressing regional issues, including environmental degradation,

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