News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has urged all development stakeholders to take a stand against the US government’s suspension of foreign aid, calling it a serious escalation in the crisis of multilateralism. The platform condemns similar past US actions, including withdrawals from international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, WHO, and UN Tax
Read more →Philea has published the “2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders: What’s Happening to European Democracy and What Funders Can Do About It,” an in-depth explainer commissioned by the Democracy Network. This publication examines the phenomenon of democratic backsliding in Europe. The briefer identifies key factors contributing to democratic erosion, such as unmet socio-economic needs, increasing polarization,
Read more →Target group: CSO in North Macedonia Aim: Strengthen CSOs’ participation and engagement in inclusive, transparent, and accountable local elections, with a focus on women’s participation, youth, and marginalized groups. Amount 9 000 – 10 000 EUR Duration: 9 to 12 months Deadline: 10 April Link to more information (Civil Society Resource Centre in North Macedonia)
Read more →Target group: CSOs, local and regional authorities, research institutions, and public universities from EU Member States and eligible non-EU countries. Aim: To support projects fostering civic engagement and democratic participation, including exchanges on EU policy priorities, countering disinformation, and promoting citizen involvement in decision-making. Amount: 33 million EUR total budget; minimum grant amount 75 000
Read more →Target group: Mid-career professionals in cyber security or cyber policy Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia Short Description: A ten-week fellowship hosted by Cranfield University, focused on cyber security, cyber policy, and national security, with a focus on the Western Balkans. It covers cyber threats, cyber-crime, law enforcement concerns, and the
Read more →Target group: Undergraduate students, recent graduates, and young professionals. Countries: United States, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Short Description: The Humanity in Action Fellowship is an educational program focused on social justice, human rights, and democratic values. Participants engage in a three-week immersive experience in one of the program cities, followed by the implementation
Read more →Target group: Journalists from Central and South Eastern Europe. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Short Description: The Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, organized by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), is awarding ten fellowships to journalists with compelling story ideas that require on-the-ground reporting. The program emphasizes
Read more →The U.S. administration’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid, including USAID funding, has severely impacted civil society in the Western Balkans. The decision has disrupted critical programs supporting independent media, marginalized groups, economic competitiveness, and citizen participation. Beyond the immediate financial fallout, the freeze has emboldened nationalist and right-wing actors to escalate attacks on civil society.
Read more →BCSDN and Think for Europe Network (TEN) are organizing the Western Balkans Civil Society Policy Dialogues in Brussels. This high-level event, hosted and moderated by the European Policy Center (EPC), will bring together leading CSOs, policy experts, EU officials, and representatives from Member States to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in the EU enlargement
Read more →EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos addressed concerns about Serbia’s political situation in both an open letter and a speech at the European Parliament plenary debate. In the letter, she responded to Serbian academia, political representatives, and CSOs, stressing the need to respect freedom of assembly. She condemned violence against demonstrators, urged a full investigation
Read more →After years of advocacy by EU CSOs, including European Civic Forum (ECF), the European Commission has added a Civil Society Strategy to its 2025 work plan. This milestone comes amid growing threats to civic space—restrictive laws, funding limits, harassment, and smear campaigns, including recent attacks by EPP MEPs on European NGOs. The strategy aims to
Read more →As of 1 February, the European Commission has launched the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) to oversee enlargement policy, accession talks, and regional cooperation. It will manage communication on enlargement benefits, as well as financial and technical assistance for candidate countries and Eastern Neighbourhood states, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. DG ENEST
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