What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Turkey: Cracks Down on Media Over Criticism of Government Policy on Syria

Turkey has intensified its crackdown on journalists, media outlets, and civil society groups critical of its Syria policy following the recent overthrow of the Assad regime by Turkey-backed opposition forces. Authorities are targeting dissenting voices through arrests, house detentions, and investigations, often accusing them of spreading misinformation or supporting terrorism. Protests against the treatment of

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RINGO Gathering 2025: Learn, Connect, Act

On February 11–12, 2025, RINGO Gathering will explore transformative strategies and innovations shaping the future of civil society. The gathering will showcase insights from RINGO innovations, action pods, and research, alongside practical ideas for Resource Flows, Accountability and Risk, Leadership and Governance, and Solidarity and Partnerships. Sessions include key themes such as equitable leadership, reimagined

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Donors’ Role in Defending Civic Space from ‘Foreign Agent’ Laws

“Foreign agent” laws are increasingly used by governments worldwide to restrict civil society and dissent, leveraging security justifications. Funders play a crucial role in supporting civil society to counter these laws, but efforts need to be proactive and long-term. Philanthropic foundations can act swiftly, while official donors can provide large-scale, strategic funding. Collaboration among funders

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CfP: Partners Albania Resilient Balkans Fund (Deadline: 13 January 2025)

Target group: Individual activists and informal social movements from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Aim: Strengthen and enhance existing national and regional initiatives to increase their impact and sustainability; and support the development of new initiatives addressing emerging or underrepresented issues. Amount: Individual actions: up to 5 000 USD; Social movement actions:

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CfP: EU CERV Specific Operating Grant (Deadline: 5 February)

Target group: European networks, CSOs active at the EU level, and European think tanks focused on promoting and protecting Union values and fostering citizens’ engagement and European remembrance. Aim: To protect, promote, and raise awareness of fundamental rights as enshrined in EU Treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and international conventions. The call aims to strengthen

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CfA: Creative Leaders Exchange Grants (Deadline: 10 January 2025)

Target group: Cultural leaders shaping trends, inspiring innovation, and driving cultural conversations within the Western Balkans. Countries: Western Balkans 6 Short Description: Creative Leaders Exchange Grants aim to foster peer-to-peer exchange, collaboration, and networking between cultural leaders from the Western Balkans and European host organizations. The applicants may apply for a grant of up to

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CfA: Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development (Deadline: 16 January 2025)

Target group: Mid-career practitioners from developing and transitioning countries working in democracy, legal, economic, or governance reform. Countries: Regions of Eurasia, which includes the former Soviet Union and Central Asia, along with Africa. Short Description: This Stanford University program, hosted by the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, offers training for approximately 28-30 fellows in

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CfA: Western Balkans Fellowship Programme at the Austrian Parliament 2025 (Deadline: 7 February 2025)

Target group: Civil servants working in the administrations of National Parliaments in Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Countries: Western Balkans 6 Short Description: The European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), in partnership with the Austrian Parliament, offers a fellowship programme for six applicants from WB6 National Parliaments. The programme enables participants to

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BCSDN 2023 Regional Report on Civil Society Environment: A Complex Reality for CSOs in the Western Balkans and Türkiye!

We gladly present our 10th Monitoring Matrix Regional Report, synthesizing insights from the BCSDN members country reports on the civil society environment in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye in 2023. Under revised methodology, the report evaluates 22 standards across three core areas: Basic Freedoms, Financial Viability, and State-CSO Relations.

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