News and updates from BCSDN and the region
In an interview with Objavi.ba, BCSDN Head of Policy and Advocacy Anja Bosilkova-Antovska discussed the rising issue of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), as highlighted in BCSDN’s first regional research on the topic. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia rank among the top ten European countries for the frequency of SLAPP cases. Anja
Read more →BCSDN member Partners Albania for Change and Development has released a report addressing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Albania. The report reveals how SLAPPs undermine democratic values by targeting activists, civil society, and the media. It provides a clear analysis of SLAPPs, including their definition, the current legal framework, and their effects on
Read more →BCSDN member from Türkiye, TUSEV, together with STGM explored the impact of Turkish tax regulations on NGOs, offering examples from various countries, and suggesting reforms for NGO financial sustainability. The reports on “Tax Regulations Concerning Associations and Foundations,” “Taxation of Economic Enterprises”, and “Public Benefit and Tax Exemption Statuses” reveal that tax advantages for CSOs
Read more →The article highlights the shifting dynamics in the European Union’s enlargement strategy, with a focus on the Western Balkans. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has revitalized the EU’s commitment to enlargement, demonstrating a strategic imperative to integrate Eastern Europe trio and Western Balkan countries. While Ukraine’s accession has been expedited, the Western Balkans continue to
Read more →The report provided by our member FDSC, offers insights into the current state of NGO sector in Romania, detailing its role in social development, employment, and volunteer involvement. It examines the sector’s dynamics, capacity for public good, and historical context, including its evolution from communist restrictions to its current challenges amid populist and illiberal trends.
Read more →The protests, organized by the Association of Environmental Organizations of Serbia, and other initiatives, opposing the Rio Tinto lithium project in Jadar, continued nationwide, with activists’ warnings about significant environmental risks. On 10 August, a major protest in Belgrade resulted in the arrest of three activists who were charged with “disturbing public order” after blocking
Read more →A year after the live-streamed femicide of Nizama Hecimovic, BiH has made no significant legislative changes to address domestic violence or femicide. Despite some improvements in court protection for victims, activists criticize the state’s inaction, highlighting a lack of official data on femicides and ongoing violence. In response to Hecimovic’s killing, protests were held in
Read more →On 7 August, the Bulgarian Parliament passed a controversial amendment to ban LGBT “propaganda” in schools, proposed by the pro-Russian Revival (Vazrazhdane) party. The law prohibits any promotion or discussion of nontraditional sexual orientations and gender identities in the educational system. The amendment passed with a majority vote, while a separate text defining “nontraditional sexual
Read more →A recent surge in online censorship in Türkiye has seen over 200,000 items blocked by courts in 2023, marking a six-fold increase from the previous year. The Free Web Türkiye platform accuses President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration of using censorship to obscure governmental misconduct and corruption, with nearly 198,000 domains, 14,680 news articles, and thousands
Read more →In June 2024, online hate speech surged around LGBT Pride events and Euro 2024 football matches. The Istanbul Pride march, held amid a police blockade, saw widespread abuse online, including calls for violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Similar online hostility was noted across Southeast and Central Europe, with Pride events in Zagreb, Tirana, and Sarajevo receiving
Read more →An international fact-finding mission will assess press freedom and journalist safety in Croatia from 9-20 September. Organized by Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners, including ARTICLE 19 Europe and the European Federation of Journalists, the mission will examine recent attacks on journalists, challenges with media ownership transparency, and legal threats, including SLAPPs. This follows after
Read more →Since November 2023, nearly 200 organizations in North Macedonia have utilized the Civil Resource Center’s self-assessment tool to evaluate their organizational capacities. The results show that organizations generally excel in areas like organizational values, commitment, and culture, which include aspects such as trust, leadership commitment, and conflict of interest policies. However, there are notable challenges
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