Published on 9th November, the 2016 EC Progress Report brought the reassurance of the importance of EU Enlargement process to Western Balkan countries in Turkey, but has made it clear that more vigorous (new methodology introduced in several new areas) and long-term approach (changing of the cycle from autumn to spring with next Report being published in spring 2018) will be the key element of the EU Enlargement policy at least till 2020. Assessing the conditions of civil society sector and cooperation with public institutions have become structural and in-depth since 2014 when the Civil Society section was introduced as…
Author: anja
WB6 Advocacy Group is an initiative of Western Balkan think tanks coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, aimed at accelerating and facilitating the European Union enlargement towards the Western Balkans. In order to contribute to overcoming the impediments to EU integration of the Western Balkans, the Group aims to instigate the support of policy- and decision-makers in Brussels institutions, EU Member States, and in the Western Balkans, and of wider publics. You can visit their web-platform and find more about this initiative here, and subscribe to their newsletter here. Source: WB6
As a coordinator of the cross-sector sub-group for freedom of expression and media of the National Convention for the European Union, on 4 November, Civic Initiatives published an analysis: “Monitoring the Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in the Process of EU integration”. This document will be the basis for further monitoring of the progress in media freedom. Read the full publication here. Source: Civic Initiatives
Since 2012, when the initial report was last updated, regional CSO networks in the Western Balkans and Turkey have gained on visibility and influence, and are active in wide range of thematic fields. The main reasons CSOs join regional networks are an exchange of information, coordination of activities and creation of new social value. This new social value is mostly seen in the increased ability of networks (as compared to individual CSOs) to influence public policies in the region. Additional benefits that networks provide to their members are greater visibility and increased leverage at the local level. The WBT regional…
This study is initiated by the EU Delegation to BiH with the purpose to examine the environment in which CSOs function and operate and to evaluate the capacities and needs of CSOs with regard to influencing policy formulation and monitoring implementation of policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The undertaken research has one again proven the fact that the civil society in BiH has all characteristics of the civil society in a transitional country dominated by sport recreational associations and associations that represent interests of specific social groups. This feature of the civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina is typical of…
The European Movement International in collaboration with the Regional Cooperation Council is organizing the official Brussels Launch of the Advocacy Strategy for the EU Integration of the Western Balkans. The idea for a comprehensive advocacy strategy for the potential EU candidate countries originated from the European Movement in Serbia, who joined forces with eight think tanks from the Western Balkan and Visegrad Group countries. All the partners strongly believe that as the enlargement has been put on hold, a strong lobby for Western Balkans is needed more than ever before. The event will take place on 29 November 2016, in…
Equitas offers a one of a kind three-week international human rights training program in Montreal, Canada, that builds human rights knowledge and skills, attitudes and behaviors. Around 90 participants a year from about 50 countries are equipped with innovative tools that enable them to enhance their action to defend and promote human rights and democratic values in their home contexts. The training takes place in a safe Canadian environment ensuring participants can openly express themselves in a non-threatening environment. The Program provides a unique opportunity for participants to enhance their knowledge about human rights and better address the challenges they…
Proposals for this year’s last deadline of Visegrad Grants are accepted online. Project partners are an essential part of the proposal. As a rule, the participation of at least three V4 countries (“3xV4 rule”) is required in the proposal, and where possible, they encourage applicants to seek a full V4 participation (all four countries are “on board”) regardless of potential non-V4 countries involved. Priority is given to projects that strive to create common added value rather to projects that involve partners from the said countries. Applicants can only apply for a single Visegrad Grant project at a time. In general, Visegrad Fund seeks projects that display active cooperation with…
Applications for funding can be submitted for projects agreed with the European Commission, the relevant implementing agency, or other contracting authority (hereinafter referred to as the contracting authority) under the following competitions and programs that support the development of civil society on the Croatian territory. During the calendar year 2016, the same organization as an applicant may be subsidized up to 3 projects, and in exceptional cases, depending on the available financial resources, more than 3 projects. Applications for co-financing shall be assessed by the Commission for examining applications for co-financing projects and programs of organizations appointed by the Director of…
Each year the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) makes direct grants to hundreds of nongovernmental organizations worldwide working to advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions. NED funds only nongovernmental organizations, which may include civic organizations, associations, independent media, and other similar organizations. NED is interested in proposals from local, independent organizations for nonpartisan programs that seek to: Promote and defend human rights and the rule of law; Support freedom of information and independent media; Strengthen democratic ideas and values; Promote accountability and transparency, etc. The NED Board of Directors makes decisions on a quarterly basis, and the next deadline…