Target Group: Legally registered CSOs and community-based organizations in North Macedonia. Aim: To support locally led, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation, while improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive local governance. Countries: North Macedonia Amount: Up to USD 30,000 per project (with minimum 50% co-financing required) Duration: 12 to 18 months Deadline: 10 August Link to more information (UNDP North Macedonia)
Author: anja
Target Group: CSOs, human rights defenders, vulnerable and marginalised groups (including persons with disabilities, Roma, LGBTIQ+ persons, children at risk, former prisoners), local communities, public institutions, and other stakeholders working on human rights, democracy, and fundamental freedoms. Aim: To increase the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law in North Macedonia, with a focus on vulnerable groups, participatory democracy, local governance, and the responsible use of digital technologies and AI. Country: North Macedonia Amount: EUR 120,000 – 200,000 per grant (total call budget: EUR 910,000) Duration: 18–30 months Deadline: 31 August, 12:00 (Brussels…
Target Group: CSOs and networks registered in Montenegro for at least 24 months. Aim: To strengthen participatory democracy and Montenegro’s EU integration process through enhanced civil society engagement in public policymaking, local development, transparency, accountability, rule of law reforms, and cooperation with public institutions. Country: Montenegro Amount: EUR 700,000–750,000 per grant (total call budget: EUR 2,250,000) Duration: 36–42 months Deadline: 28 July, 14:00 (Brussels time) Link to more information (Aktivna zona)
Short Description: Transparency School 2026 is an international training and networking programme focused on transparency, anti-corruption, accountability, and good governance. The programme brings together participants from around the world for expert-led discussions, practical learning, and peer exchange. Target Group: Senior students, graduates, and young professionals from the public, private, civil society, and academic sectors interested in transparency, anti-corruption, accountability, and good governance. Countries: Open internationally. Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (with an online participation option). Duration: 13–17 July 2026. Deadline for Applications: 15 June. Link to more information (Transparency School on Integrity)
Short Description: The Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is a six-month programme supporting aspiring and mid-career journalists in producing in-depth investigative stories on issues of public interest, while benefiting from professional editorial mentorship and publication opportunities through leading media platforms. Target Group: Aspiring and mid-career journalists aged 18–35 with at least three years of professional experience, working in broadcast, online, public, or private media. Journalists working in Albanian, Serbian, and minority languages are encouraged to apply. Countries: Kosovo. Location: Kosovo Duration: 6 months. Deadline for Applications: 22 June (midnight). Link to more information (BIRN)
Short Description: Balkan SAYS 2026 is an international youth security conference bringing together students, young professionals, policymakers, and experts to discuss contemporary security, foreign policy, and Euro-Atlantic challenges through panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Target Group: Students and young professionals aged 20–35 with a background or strong interest in international relations, security and defence, diplomacy, geopolitics, political science, or related fields. Countries: Western Balkans and wider Euro-Atlantic region. Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia. Duration: 10–12 September. Deadline for Applications: 10 July Link to more information (Balkan SAYS)
Short Description: The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is a fully funded professional development programme offering hybrid training courses on democratic institutions, human rights, public integrity, public procurement, administration of justice, border management, and public service delivery. Participants will gain practical knowledge, exchange experiences with peers from the region, and become part of an international alumni network. Target Group: Policy advisors, members of the judiciary, civil servants, and government officials working in justice, governance, public administration, human rights, border management, public procurement, and related rule of law fields. Countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia,…
The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board. Güneş, who has recently assumed the position of Secretary General at TÜSEV, brings extensive experience in civil society monitoring, legal frameworks, and regional advocacy. She has a long-standing collaboration with BCSDN, having actively contributed to the development and methodological updates of The Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development. Beyond her role at TÜSEV, Güneş serves as an Enlargement Candidate Member at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and participates in several European philanthropic and civil society…
Why do citizens continue to mobilise in Serbia, despite mounting pressureand months of uncertainty? In this op-ed, Alma Mustajbašić from BCSDN member organisation Civic Initiatives explores the evolution of the protest movement, the challenges surrounding civic participation, and the wider lessons for democracy and civic space in the region. More Than Numbers: Why Citizens Continue to Mobilise in Serbia The 23 May protest in Belgrade confirmed that Serbia’s civic mobilisation is not losing momentum. Independent estimates suggested between 180,000 and 190,000 citizens gathered in Slavija Square, while official figures communicated significantly lower numbers. Yet debates over crowd size risk overshadowing…
On 29 May 2026, BCSDN participated in the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Vienna under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Bringing together more than 100 representatives of EU institutions, governments, CSOs, social partners, regional organisations, and policy experts, the conference focused on the role of civil society in advancing EU enlargement, strengthening democratic resilience, and supporting socio-economic convergence across the Western Balkans. Speakers from the Cyprus Presidency, the European Commission, the EESC, and Austrian authorities highlighted enlargement as a strategic priority for…