What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: SafeJournalists Support Program for Civil Society and Media Organizations (Deadline: 20 December)

Target group: CSOs focused on human rights and media freedoms. Media publishers in BiH, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. Aim: Strengthen local organizations to detect and report violations of journalists’ rights, inform and educate local journalists about their rights, and improve their capacity for internal governance and monitoring. Amount: 8.000- 10.000 EUR (the total amount

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CfP: BOOST Program in the Western Balkans (Deadline: 27 December- Regional Grants)

Target group: CSOs in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), working in youth engagement, entrepreneurship, rural development, environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and community development. Aim: To support the Western Balkans integration into the EU by fostering democratic, economic, social, and cultural growth, and to empower CSOs through sub-grants aimed

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CfP: EEA Civil Society Fund Management in Europe (Deadline: 8 April 2025)

Target group: CSOs and private institutions in Europe with expertise in supporting democracy, human rights, and civic engagement. Aim: To support CSOs in strengthening democracy, human rights, and civic engagement across Europe. By providing crucial resources, the fund seeks to empower organizations to contribute positively to their communities, particularly in the face of increasing threats

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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

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BCSDN Analysis of the 2024 EC Enlargement Package: The Need for Clear Benchmarks to Strengthen Civil Society in Enlargement Countries

We are pleased to present BCSDN’s 15th analysis of the European Commission’s reports on civil society development and its dialogue with public institutions. Although the European Commission provides an analysis of the civil society environment, some critical aspects are overlooked and are addressed in our findings. Based on the BCSDN Monitoring Matrix, this year’s analysis

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Regional Conference and Anti-SLAPP Contest: Voices Without Fear in the Western Balkans

The Regional Conference on SLAPPs, held in Belgrade on 28 November, brought together activists, journalists, legal experts, and civil society to address the misuse of SLAPPs in the Western Balkans. During the panel “Protection Mechanisms: Can We Rely on Our Legal Systems for Protection?” BCSDN ED Biljana Spasovska spoke about aligning regional efforts with international

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OECD Practical Guide for Policymakers on Protecting and Promoting Civic Space

The Practical Guide for Policymakers builds on the OECD’s 2022 global report on civic space, offering actionable steps to protect and promote it as a cornerstone of democracy. Drawing from insights across 52 countries, it outlines 10 key recommendations, addressing freedoms of association, expression, and assembly, alongside online and media protections. The guide emphasizes the

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Global Expression Report 2024: Half the World Faces a Freedom of Expression Crisis

The latest global analysis reveals a growing freedom of expression crisis, with over half the world’s population—4.2 billion people in 39 countries—now living under severe restrictions. In 2023, India’s downgrade to “Crisis” significantly contributed to this increase. Despite some positive shifts in countries like Brazil and Fiji, declines outnumber improvements. Key trends highlight worsening conditions

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Partners Albania and MCIC Published the 2023 Reports on the Civil Society Environment in Albania and North Macedonia

BCSDN members Partners Albania and MCIC published their 2023 reports on the civil society environment, highlighting key civil society challenges in Albania and North Macedonia. In terms of basic freedoms, CSOs in both countries operate in an environment where freedom of association is legally guaranteed and practiced. However, Albania faces setbacks with delays in operationalizing

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