News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: Youth organizations and organizations working with youth in BiH. Aim: Support local youth initiatives focused on improving youth cooperation, participation, and policy development. Amount: Up to 1 955 KM-approximately 999 EUR (LOT I), and up to 2 151 KM – approximately 1 099 EUR (LOT II). Duration: Initiatives must be implemented by 15 April
Read more →Target group: CSOs and private institutions 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 these organizations to contribute positively to their communities, particularly in the face of increasing threats to democratic
Read more →Target group: Young, diverse leaders in elected office, civil society, and business Countries: United States, EU, candidate countries, and WB6 Short Description: TILN is a transatlantic fellowship network of young leaders collaborating to promote inclusive policies and social cohesion across the US and Europe. Fellows receive mentorship, coaching, and training to prepare for leadership roles
Read more →Target group: Experts on legal frameworks, CSOs engaging volunteers, and current volunteers Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: A regional online discussion organized by the SMART Balkans project, focusing on volunteering trends and legal frameworks in the Western Balkans, aligned with EU standards. Duration: One and a half hours, happening on 5 December, Zoom. Link to
Read more →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
Read more →The BCSDN virtual event “Weaponizing Accountability: Countering Foreign Agents’ Laws and Narratives” convened experts from Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Western Balkans on November 6-8 to address restrictive foreign agents’ laws stigmatizing CSOs. Day 1 highlighted strategies to counter government-imposed narratives labeling CSOs as foreign threats, while Day 2 focused on building civil society
Read more →Our member organization from Serbia, Civic Initiatives, is launching the first SLAPP competition for the Western Balkans, starting with a social media campaign and concluding with an award ceremony in Belgrade on November 28. BCSDN contributes through participation in the Jury and as a panel speaker. The competition aims to highlight the chilling effects of
Read more →During her European Parliament hearing, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement Marta Kos outlined her plans for EU enlargement. She emphasized that despite new geopolitical pressures, the process will remain merit-based. Kos stressed the importance of political commitment, especially in areas like justice reform and anti-corruption, while warning against stagnation or backsliding. She also highlighted the EU’s role
Read more →At the Berlin Process Summit in October, the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum (CSF) presented policy recommendations to leaders from the Western Balkans, EU, and UK. Developed by over 115 civil society organizations across seven thematic groups, these recommendations focused on pressing issues: EU integration, reconciliation, gender diversity, energy, climate change, environmental protection, and
Read more →Thousands of protesters marched in Belgrade on November 11, demanding accountability for the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad train station’s roof, which killed 14 people on November 1. Throughout the series of protests, there have been massive arrests of demonstrators, with an ever-growing number of detained as they continue to demand justice and accountability
Read more →During a recent mission to Belgrade, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted that press freedom in Serbia remains under attack. Following the massive protests in Belgrade and Novi Sad, triggered by the tragedy that occurred on 1 November at the entrance of the Novi Sad Railway station in which 14 people lost their lifes, the RSF
Read more →At the 10th Media Development Forum that took place on 23 October, in Tirana, the EU Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, announced support for a structured dialogue on media freedom and journalist safety in Albania. This initiative, facilitated by the University of Tirana’s Journalism Department, aims to foster collaboration among state authorities and media stakeholders.
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