News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: Local media outlets from the Western Balkans. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. Short Description: To strengthen democratic governance, media freedom, and the rule of law in the Western Balkans. It offers grants to local media outlets to adopt audience-engagement journalism practices, using the Engaged Citizen Reporting (ECR) tool
Read more →Target group: Mid-career professionals with leadership potential in cyber security or cyber policy in the Western Balkans. Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship is a ten-week program hosted by Cranfield University at the UK Defence Academy, focusing on key cyber security issues such as cyber threats, online business economics,
Read more →Together with our member, Civic Initiatives, we present the 2023 Report on the Civil Society Environment in Serbia. As per report’s findings, fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression, continue to be violated, particularly during the pre- and post-election period. CSOs face targeted campaigns, intimidation and SLAPP lawsuits. Legal frameworks are insufficient to support volunteering,
Read more →Over 100 CSOs have joined the BCSDN member Center for Civil Society Promotion’s (CPCD) call to support demands for revising the Federation of BiH’s 2025 minimum wage reforms. While supporting the wage increase to 1,000 KM, the call warns that excluding CSOs from subsidy programs threatens the sustainability of a sector employing over 6,300 people. Current
Read more →In 2025, the EU has a unique opportunity to push forward Balkan integration. The removal of land borders between Bulgaria, Romania, and the Schengen area marks a significant step towards full integration, with economic benefits for businesses and citizens. Additionally, Bulgaria’s long-awaited entry into the eurozone is set for 2026, offering economic stability and growth.
Read more →The European Commission has launched a targeted stakeholder consultation for the Rule of Law report, running until 24 January, with an additional consultation on the single market dimension. The consultation invites contributions from organizations addressing justice systems, corruption, media pluralism, and checks and balances, including European networks, NGOs, national associations (e.g., judges’ and journalists’ groups),
Read more →The Directorate for European Integration/Office of the National IPA Coordinator (DIPAK) in Bosnia and Herzegovina invites civil society, along with the academic community, experts, and social partners, to participate in consultations on the draft proposals for actions under the Multi-Country IPA Program 2025-2027. The Commission has provided nine draft proposals across four thematic areas: Window
Read more →The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) expressed disappointment over Meta’s decision to end its Third-Party Fact-Checking Program in the U.S., condemning CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s claims linking fact-checking to censorship. EFCSN argues that fact-checking adds valuable context to public discourse and counters misinformation, emphasizing that it is not censorship. The network criticizes Zuckerberg’s statement about political
Read more →The protests following the November 2024 Novi Sad tragedy after the fall of the rail station canopy, which took 15 lives continues with greater intensity. On January 10, students in Belgrade blocked a major interchange and part of the Belgrade-Zagreb highway demanding accountability for the tragedy, and authorities’ corruption activities. The students, supported by professors,
Read more →The BH Journalists Steering Committee has called on the Una-Sana Canton (USC) Government and Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports to include the media community in drafting the new Law on Information. This law aims to update the 1998 legislation by addressing hate speech, fake news, and harmful online content. Proposed measures include requiring
Read more →Turkish opposition leaders condemned the detention of Riza Akpolat, the opposition mayor of Istanbul’s Besiktas district, along with 46 others on corruption charges. The allegations include bribery, bid-rigging, and involvement in a criminal organization. The detentions have sparked criticism, labeling them as incompatible with democratic principles. The opposition accuses the government of manipulating public opinion
Read more →The International Press Institute (IPI) and the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) report assesses media capture in Romania. The analysis highlights the political influence over Romania’s media regulators, including the National Audiovisual Council (CNA), and the challenges facing public service broadcasters like the Romanian Television Company (TVR) and the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company (SRR).
Read more →