News and updates from BCSDN and the region
BCSDN has opened applications for its first Civic Space Hackathon, set to take place in Skopje on 17–18 June 2025. Under the slogan “Innovate for Impact,” the event invites interdisciplinary teams from NGOs and academic institutions across the Western Balkans to develop bold, practical solutions to pressing civic space challenges, including disinformation, smear campaigns, and
Read more →Target group: Registered NGOs and academic institutions from the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). Applicants must form interdisciplinary teams of 4–6 people, combining skills in activism, technology, design, legal affairs, communications, or research. Individual applications are not accepted. Countries: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro
Read more →On 29 April, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued an interim measure instructing the Serbian Government to prevent any future use of sonic devices for crowd control purposes. The ruling follows allegations of acoustic weapons being used during the March 15 protest in Belgrade, where participants reported panic, injuries, and severe physical and
Read more →Target Group: Passionate media professionals, journalism students, journalists, content creators, and media initiatives from civil society organizations Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: Fully funded workshop for journalists and content creators from the Western Balkans. It will take place June 7-8, 2025, in Subotica, Serbia. It will focus on developing impactful storytelling and digital solutions for
Read more →A common civil society position paper on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) has been published by Civil Society Europe (CSE), in collaboration with a broad coalition of CSOs. In the document, an open and rights-based approach to the next EU budget is advocated, with emphasis placed on safeguarding democracy, fundamental rights, social inclusion, and
Read more →Target Group: Young people aged 16 to 22, focusing on intercultural learning and cooperation through sport and play to promote teamwork, respect, diversity, and youth participation. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia Short Description: The Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, RYCO, and GIZ are opening a call for
Read more →Target Group: Young people aged 18–24 and passionate about peacebuilding, dialogue, and social inclusion. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia Short Description: The Shared Horizons project, funded by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organizes four youth summer boot camps in the Western Balkans to foster social cohesion and reconciliation. Duration:
Read more →Target Group: Students and young professionals (aged 18-35) from Europe in archaeology, history, art history, museology, cultural heritage marketing and management, design, animation, creative writing, and computer technologies. Countries: Europe Short Description: The program is a six-day immersive experience focused on fostering collaboration and practical education in cultural heritage and creative industries. It emphasizes new
Read more →Target Group: For individuals interested in careers with NATO, the EU, and other international or domestic security-related institutions. Countries: North Macedonia Short Description: The program covers national and international security systems, security strategy development, and crisis management (natural disasters, terrorism, cyberattacks, propaganda, and refugee crises). Key benefits include a broad thematic scope, high-level lecturers, and
Read more →On 8 April the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) held its annual in-person strategy meeting in Brussels, bringing together legal experts and civil society organisations from across Europe. The meeting focused on assessing progress in tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) over the past year, setting priorities for 2025, and discussing the implementation
Read more →A coordinated statement by over 570 civil society organisations from all EU Member States and beyond, including BCSDN, responds to recent attacks from certain MEPs—primarily from the European People’s Party and far-right groups—aimed at delegitimising CSO advocacy in EU institutions. The narrative, amplified in some media, misrepresents how CSOs are funded and operate, while ignoring
Read more →Following the March 15 protest in Belgrade, CSOs have filed a criminal complaint for terrorism after an unidentified sonic device disrupted the peaceful gathering during a 15-minute silence. The incident that triggered panic, a stampede, and numerous injuries among the hundreds of thousands present. Witnesses described a deafening sound similar to a low-flying aircraft, often
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