What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

SCiDEV’s Working Paper: Initial Assessment of Albania’s Legal Framework for Harmonizing the Anti-SLAPP Directive

In 2023, Albania saw an increase in Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), a trend that poses significant risks to media freedom and the safety of journalists. SLAPPs are used by powerful entities to silence independent voices by intimidating critics with costly and burdensome lawsuits, often aimed at discouraging public participation in matters of public

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Silenced Through the Courts: Serbian Journalist Faces Seven Lawsuits for Exposing Local Misconduct

Verica Marinčić, a journalist from Inđija, Serbia, faces severe harassment, including seven lawsuits targeting the survival of her independent media outlet, IN Media. Her reporting, especially on the municipality’s distribution of “potency honey” to schoolchildren, has led to ongoing intimidation and a court ruling against her, demanding substantial damages for alleged harm to minors. This

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Unfunded Accountability in Localization: Part 1

During the first part of a two-part series of blogs about accountability in the non-profit sector and its localization with a focus of helping funders gain a better understanding, Jean Scrimgeour explores the critical role of accountability in the nonprofit sector and its connection to the localization agenda. As funders advocate for more official development

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CfP: CIVICUS Digital Action Lab (DAL) (Deadline: 17 November)

Target group: CSOs from the Global South countries, particularly those with restricted civic space. Organizations advancing inclusive democracy and representing historically excluded groups, such as rural communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and the LGBT+ community. Aim: To strengthen the organizing, advocacy, and campaign capacities of CSOs through digital solutions. To support pilot projects that increase

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CfP: RYCOnnecting You(th) – Call for Proposals 2024 (Deadline: 20 November)

Target group: CSOs in the Western Balkans Six (WB6): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Aim: To support peacebuilding, reconciliation, youth empowerment, and societal engagement in the Western Balkans. Also, to promote regional cooperation, intercultural learning, dialogue, and mutual understanding among youth in the region. Amount: Total funding of 300 000 EUR.

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CfP: Call for CSOs in Romania – Mini-Grants for Strategic Planning (Deadline: 25 November)

Target group: CSOs in Romania (associations, foundations, federations). Aim: Strengthening the capacity of NGOs through well-structured strategic planning processes. Amount: Maximum financing of 20 000 lei – approximately 4 000 EUR per project, no co-financing required. Duration: 3 months (January 1 – March 31, 2025) Deadline: 25 November Link to more information (InstareDeBine)

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CfP: BIRN Audience-Engaged Journalism Grants for Media in the Balkans and Visegrad (Deadline: 27 November)

Target group: Media outlets from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, and Slovakia. Aim: Engage audiences in reporting, fostering trust and addressing underreported issues, with a focus on marginalized communities, youth, and women. Amount: Up to 4 000 EUR for individual stories, and up to 8 000 EUR

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CfA: Scholarship for Research on Media Freedom & Journalists’ Safety in Albania (Deadline: 20 November)

Target group: Journalists and researchers in Albania Countries: Albania Short Description: BIRN Albania, in partnership with SCiDEV and Qendra Faktoje, is offering grants to local journalists and researchers for the production of research papers or analyses on media freedom and journalists’ safety in Albania. The project is funded by the European Union. Grants of 1 500

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CfA: Democratic Innovations Accelerator (Deadline: 24 November)

Target group: Civil society and government organizations focused on enhancing public participation and democratic innovation in policymaking. Countries: EU countries and Horizon Europe countries (including Albania, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom). Short Description: The Democratic

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