What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution” Raises Concerns over Civic Space and Online Manipulation

Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution,” which began in opposition to controversial tourism developments affecting protected natural areas, has evolved into a broader anti-government movement demanding political accountability. The latest protests escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police outside Parliament, while journalist Vjolanda Peca of Citizens.al was reportedly arrested while covering the demonstrations, prompting renewed concerns over media

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Civic Mobilisation Across the Western Balkans Signals Growing Demands for Accountability

Recent civic mobilisations across the Western Balkans point to a broader shift from issue-specific protests towards demands for accountable governance, institutional transparency and democratic responsiveness. From the Novi Sad railway station tragedy and environmental protests against the Rio Tinto project in Serbia, to demonstrations over the Zvërnec–Narta development in Albania, anti-corruption protests in North Macedonia,

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Research Shows Citizens’ Assemblies Strengthen Democratic Participation

A new research brief by People Powered synthesises findings from 66 studies across 24 countries, highlighting the positive impact of citizens’ assemblies on democratic participation and governance. The review finds that citizens’ assemblies strengthen participants’ political knowledge, deliberation skills and sense of political efficacy, while fostering dialogue across different viewpoints and reducing polarisation. Beyond individual

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EU Growth Plan: Performance-Based Reforms Drive Enlargement Forward

The EU’s Growth Plan is reshaping the enlargement process by making financial support increasingly conditional on the delivery of measurable reforms rather than commitments alone. Through performance-based funding and Reform Agendas, the initiative strengthens the link between democratic reforms, gradual integration into the EU Single Market and eventual accession. At the halfway point of implementation,

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CfP: BIRN Travel & Reporting Grants 2026 (Deadline: 7 August)

Target Group: Journalists and media outlets based in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including freelancers, newsroom journalists, multimedia teams and media organisations interested in cross-border reporting. Aim: To support original cross-border journalistic reporting from the Balkans through travel grants, editorial guidance and regional expertise, strengthening cooperation between the Visegrad region and the Balkans. Countries:  Eligible

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CfP: EFB Regional Investigative Journalism Grants 2026 (Deadline: 15 August)

Target Group: Individual investigative journalists or teams (up to three members) from the Western Balkans with proven investigative experience and a confirmed media outlet committed to publishing the story. Aim: To support in-depth, cross-border investigative journalism on issues of regional significance, focusing on environment, public space, civic rights and activists, decent work, and media. The call aims

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CfP: CERV Call to Support the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Deadline: 15 September)

Target Group: Non-profit legal entities established in EU Member States (lead applicants). Co-applicants may be non-profit or for-profit legal entities (public or private), with for-profit entities eligible only in partnership with private non-profit organisations. Projects may be national or transnational. Aim: To protect, promote and raise awareness of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by supporting

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CfP: EU-Funded Call for Civil Society Grants on Gender Equality in North Macedonia (Deadline: 18 September)

Target Group: Legally registered non-governmental organisations, informal groups led by a registered NGO, and informal consortia of NGOs, educational institutions, local authorities and other legally registered entities led by a registered NGO. Applicants must have completed the AGREE training programme, be registered for at least two years, and be based in North Macedonia. Aim: To strengthen the

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CfP: EFB Opportunity & Innovation Grants – Common Ground Program (Deadline: rolling basis, until 2 November)

Target Group: CSOs working on peace, dialogue and social cohesion in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Informal groups may apply in partnership with a registered organisation or fiscal host. Aim: To support innovative, small-scale initiatives that bridge societal divides, strengthen dialogue and social cohesion, respond to emerging local challenges, or develop

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CfP: EU National Resource Centre for Civil Society Organizations in Serbia (Deadline: 5 October)

Target Group: Legally established CSOs in Serbia applying as a consortium, with at least three co-applicant CSOs from different regions of the country. The selected consortium will establish and operate the EU National Resource Centre, while also providing financial support to grassroots organisations and informal groups across Serbia. Aim: To strengthen Serbia’s EU integration process by

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CfP: CERV DAPHNE 2026 Call on Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Children (Deadline: 3 November)

Target Group: CSOs, public authorities, intermediary organisations, victim support organisations, child protection organisations, equality bodies and other relevant stakeholders. Aim: To support projects preventing and combating gender-based violence and violence against children through prevention, protection, victim support, implementation of the VAW Directive and the Istanbul Convention, integrated child protection systems, and regranting to grassroots CSOs. Countries: EU Member

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CfA: Vote for the Youth Participation Award Nominees – North Macedonia (Deadline: 5 August)

Short Description:  The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM), and the OSCE Mission to Skopje invite the public to vote for the 2026 Youth Participation Award. The award recognises outstanding contributions to addressing social issues through youth engagement in three categories: individual young people (aged 15–29), informal

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