The migration crisis and wrenching economic problems are threatening both the survival of the European Union and the stability of Eurasia’s entrenched dictatorships, according to Nations in Transit 2016, the 21st edition of Freedom House’s annual report on democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Eurasia. According to the Project Director Nate Schenkkan, renewed nationalism and the erosion of freedom of movement and other fundamental principles are threatening the consolidation of democracy in Eastern Europe, and with it the entire European project. The average Democracy Score for the Balkans has been declining since 2010. Strongmen in Serbia and…
Author: anja
On 11th April, 2016 in Ljubljana, CNVOS and the Ministry of Public Administration held a national conference for CSOs entitled Final Steps towards the Strategy for development of CSOs and Volunteering. At the conference, the Ministry representatives presented the draft strategy announced in the beginning of April. In addition to around 100 representatives of civil society, the conference was attended by the Prime Minister Dr. Miro Cerar and the Minister of Public Administration Boris Koprivnikar. Goran Forbici, the Director of CNVOS, applauded the initiative of the Ministry, stressing that it is the first time that such an initiative comes from the…
The 2016 edition of the World Press Freedom Index shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels. Ever since the 2013 index, Reporters Without Borders has been calculating indicators of the overall level of media freedom violations in each of the world’s regions and worldwide. The decline since 2013 is 13.6%. The many reasons for this decline in freedom of information include the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of governments in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, tighter government control of state-owned media, even in some European countries…
The “Communicate at your best” website is a place that offers a broad range of training materials that will help CSOs professionalise their activity in terms of internal and external communication. Organizatia Tinerilor cu Initiativa – Arad, Pro Atlantico Association and Audele Association, have created a comprehensive training resource that will help organisations across the world become more professional, communicate better and increase their stakeholders’ engagement. The website and all free-of-charge materials are available here. Source: OTI
Recognizing the critical importance of Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda on peaceful, just and inclusive societies and accountable institutions, this toolkit provides civil society and other nongovernmental stakeholders with guidance on how to engage with their governments and other local, regional or international stakeholders to support the planning, implementation, follow-up and accountability of Goal 16. Meaningful civil society participation in encouraging inclusive and open Goal 16 implementation and accountability will be critical to ensuring that governments are responsive to the demonstrated needs of the diverse segments of each society. The Tool-kit is available for download here. Source: Tap Network
The Global Day of Citizen Action on May 14th, 2016 is part of a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of ‘civic space’ – the freedom to speak out, organise and take action. Last year 106 events in over 52 countries were organized, which is more than a two-fold increase from the first GDCA, held in 2014. By participating, CSOs can create awareness locally about the importance of having the right to speak out, organise and take action. Globally, they can show the world what’s happening in their countries. More information is available here. Source: CIVICUS
The World Youth Movement for Democracy is seeking applications for its Hurford Youth Fellows Program 2016-2017 with an aim to build the leadership skills, enhance the organizational talents, and harness the potential of emerging democracy leaders from around the world. The Hurford Youth Fellows will engage in strategic meetings, conduct research, organize and lead presentations, online discussions and information-sharing sessions on key democracy issues identified. The fellows – not older than 30 years of age and demonstrating strong interest in democratic activism and in the advancement of democracy in their respective communities, as well as worldwide – will receive a…
The PeaceNexus Foundation has announced a call for applications for its 2016 Organizational Development Grant. NGOs in the Western Balkans, with a peacebuilding relevant mandate and operational peace-building activities in a context affected by violent conflict are eligible to apply. With its Organisational Development (OD) support, PeaceNexus Foundation helps peacebuilding actors to become the organisations they want to be: better connected, more effective, able to adapt and innovate, and aware of their own capacities. Applications will only be accepted through the webform, and until April 25th, 2016. More information is available here. Source: PeaceNexus Foundation
The UN Trust Fund’s annual call for proposals accepts multi-year grant applications for up to USD 1 million. With its 20th funding cycle in 2016, the UN Trust Fund will fund organizations that qualify for funding: under the three programmatic areas of the UN Trust Fund Strategic Plan 2015–2020, under the “special window” addressing violence against women and girls in the context of the current refugee crisis, and under the “by invitation only” category. The grant amount and duration for large CSOs and governments is USD 125.001 – USD 1 million for 2 or 3 years, while for small CSOs…
Public and private institutions registered in a CEI Member State as well as international and regional organisations are invited to apply to the CEI Cooperation Fund for innovative actions favouring mobility and networking. Proposals need to focus on capacity building by transferring and sharing know-how, in particular from EU CEI Member States to non-EU CEI Member States. The activities can take the form of conferences, seminars, workshops, and training activities. The potential CEI contribution is up to EUR 15.000, and the mandatory implementation period for the proposed activities is January 1st to December 31st, 2017. The deadline for applications is…