A new analysis by the EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) highlights the growing global use of “foreign agents” legislation to restrict civic space, limit access to funding and undermine the legitimacy of CSOs. Drawing on evidence from 86 countries through the EU SEE Early Warning Mechanism, it shows how governments increasingly use transparency and national sovereignty narratives to justify burdensome reporting obligations, administrative controls and restrictions on foreign funding. The trend spans countries from Russia to El Salvador, India, Paraguay, Peru and Republika Srpska, contributing to the stigmatisation of civil society and weakening organisations’…
Author: anja
Seventeen years after introducing rules on public participation in lawmaking, Slovenia continues to fall short on ensuring transparent and inclusive legislative processes. According to newly published data, the current government adopted 1,945 laws, regulations, and rulebooks, but only 659 proposals (33%) were open for the required 30-day public consultation period. Compliance was particularly low in some ministries, with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities each meeting the requirement for only 18% of proposed legislation. The findings indicate little improvement compared to the previous government, which complied with the consultation requirement in…
A new report, Putting Out Fires till They Burn Out, examines how feminist and LGBTQI+ organisations in the South Caucasus and Western Balkans sustain their work amid war legacies, authoritarianism, economic insecurity, and shrinking civic space. Drawing on 87 interviews conducted between 2022 and 2024, alongside ethnographic research and grants analysis, the report argues that collective care is not a secondary activity but a prerequisite for movement resilience and long-term sustainability. In the Western Balkans, collective care has evolved from the region’s anti-war feminist movements and remains deeply connected to justice, solidarity, and community support. However, organisations continue to operate…
As part of its 2026 State of Civil Society Report, CIVICUS has launched a series of country interviews through its CIVICUS Lens initiative exploring the drivers and impact of emerging civic movements worldwide. The series accompanies the report’s focus on the global rise of Gen Z-led protests, identifying youth mobilisation as one of the defining civic space trends of 2025, driven by demands for accountability, transparency and responsive governance. An interview with a co-founder of North Macedonia’s “Who’s Next” movement examines the emergence of a new generation of civic activists following protests sparked by preventable tragedies and institutional failures. It…
Ahead of the European Council discussions on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a broad coalition of European CSOs has called for an ambitious EU budget that reflects the Union’s geopolitical, social and environmental challenges. The statement urges increased investment in social cohesion, research, education, climate action, culture and civil society, alongside a strong external action budget supporting sustainable development, human rights, gender equality and democratic governance. It also backs the European Parliament’s proposal to treat repayment of the NextGenerationEU instrument separately from the MFF ceilings and calls for new EU own resources to finance shared priorities. The signatories emphasise…
Target Group: CSOs, sectoral CSO networks, and platforms in North Macedonia registered under the Law on Associations and Foundations for at least three years. The call supports both individual CSOs and existing civil society networks. Aim: To strengthen structured, systematic, and evidence-based civil society participation in North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations and the implementation, monitoring, advocacy, and public communication of the Growth Plan Reform Agenda. Countries: North Macedonia. Amount: Total call budget: EUR600,000. Grant size: EUR50,000–60,000 per project (100% EU funding; no co-financing required). Duration: 12–14 months. Deadline: 6 July, 17:00 (North Macedonia time). Link to more information (RCGO North…
Target Group: CSOs and civil society actors in North Macedonia eligible for project partnership funding from the French Embassy. Aim: To support civil society projects aligned with French-Macedonian cooperation priorities, including democracy, cultural dialogue, and community development. Countries: North Macedonia Amount: Should not exceed EUR 5,000 and may represent no more than 75% of the total project budget. Duration: Max 12 months. Deadline: 15 July Link to more information (French Embassy in North Macedonia)
Target Group: Coalitions of at least 3 legally registered non-profit organisations (CSOs, social enterprises, national/regional funds), with a focus on small and medium-sized grassroots organisations working on gender equality and supporting marginalised women, transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Networks and intermediaries are eligible if applying in coalition with grassroots organisations. Aim: To strengthen collaboration and solidarity within European intersectional grassroots gender equality movements by supporting coalition-building, joint advocacy, movement strengthening, narrative change, cross-sector alliances and policy influence to advance gender equality across Europe. Countries: EU Member States, United Kingdom, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.…
Target Group: CSOs, civic movements, independent media, journalists, bloggers, youth groups, informal platforms, artists, and individual activists working to advance democracy. Official registration is not required. Aim: To support pro-democracy actors promoting pluralistic democratic systems, with a particular focus on organisations, initiatives, and individuals that cannot be supported through existing EU instruments or other donor programmes. Countries: Eligible countries where the European Endowment for Democracy operates. Amount: EUR 10,000–50,000. Duration: Flexible (determined according to the proposed action). Deadline: 31 December (ongoing, demand-driven call). Funding decisions are taken on a rolling basis by the EED Executive Committee following an assessment by…
Target Group: Early-stage nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organisations (up to 10 years old) operating in Africa, Europe, India, the United States, and, in selected cases, Latin America. Aim: To support innovative, scalable solutions addressing major social and environmental challenges affecting underserved communities. DRK prioritises organisations with demonstrated impact, sustainable business models, and strong potential for growth. Countries: Africa, Europe, India, the United States (and occasionally Latin America). Amount: Up to USD 300,000 in unrestricted grants or investment capital over a three-year period, complemented by extensive in-kind capacity-building support. Duration: Up to 3 years. Deadline: Ongoing (applications accepted year-round; no submission…