We are excited to launch the 10th Monitoring Matrix Regional Report, a synergized analysis of country reports from BCSDN members across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye. Evaluating 22 standards across three core areas: Basic Freedoms, Financial Viability, and State-CSO Relations using the updated methodology, the report captures key developments, challenges, and trends shaping civic space in 2023.
While civil society continues to be vital for promoting democratic governance and protecting fundamental freedoms, the findings reveal a complex reality. Legal frameworks often meet international standards, but their implementation lags behind. Financial viability remains fragile, and state-CSO relationships are increasingly strained.
BEST of 2023: Highlights of Progress
- Albania: The National Risk Assessment (NRA) classified the NPO sector as low-risk for terrorist financing, ultimately leading to the declassification of CSOs as ‘high-risk’ in the realm of money laundering & terrorist financing.
- BiH: initiation of FBiH’s first Strategy for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development.
- Serbia: Establishment of Council for Creating an Enabling Environment for the Development of Civil Society.
- Montenegro: New Youth Strategy (2023–2027) prioritizing volunteer programs and a public volunteer registry.
- Kosovo: Amendments to the Criminal Code address hate crimes, cybercrimes, and data protection, targeting issues like pro-genocide content, identity theft, and unauthorized computer access to strengthen civic space protections.
- North Macedonia: Amendments to the Criminal Code to enhance the safety of journalists and media workers by treating threats and attacks against them as offenses against public officials.
- Türkiye: efforts to address AML/CFT challenges through meetings with CSOs and financial authorities highlight progress, but a systematic approach is needed to resolve persistent issues in auditing and supervision.
These achievements reflect the resilience and determination of civil society organizations across the region.
WORST of 2023: Setbacks to Civic Space
- Albania: Delayed operationalization of the electronic CSO registry
- BiH: Proposals for a foreign agent’s law in Republika Srpska and the recriminalization of defamation.
- Serbia: Continued practice of and impunity for smear campaigns and attacks on civil society by highest state officials.
- Montenegro and North Macedonia: Inactive CSO Councils for over two years and inadequate public funding mechanisms.
- Türkiye: Growing challenges to freedom of expression, with the “Disinformation Law” increasingly used against the press and CSOs, leading to lawsuits over reporting human rights violations.
The report highlights KEY RECOMMENDATIONS to create a more enabling environment for civil society:
- Legal and Policy Reforms: Complete revisions of NGO laws in North Macedonia and Montenegro, and the AML/CFT Concept Document in Kosovo and sectoral risk-assessment, with active CSO involvement. Abandon foreign agents’ laws and narratives in BiH and Serbia, and across the region.
- Freedom of Association, Assembly, and Expression: Improve registration systems (Albania, Türkiye) with functional online registers. Repeal Türkiye’s Law on Meetings and Demonstrations, replacing it with legislation safeguarding freedom of assembly; adopt the Anti-SLAPP regulation (FBiH), and introduce similar ones in the region.
- Financial Viability: Governments must implement transparent public funding mechanisms, alleviate VAT burdens, and finalize supportive financial laws to ensure CSOs’ sustainability, reduce reliance on short-term funding, and foster a resilient civil society.
- Government-CSO Cooperation: Ensure inclusive development of the new strategic documents for cooperation and CS development (Albania and BiH) and effective implementation of the measures envisaged in the existing strategies; Reactivate the Councils in Montenegro and North Macedonia and provide political and financial support for Councils across the region; mandatory CSO participation in EU integration processes.
This report has been produced with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The full report is available HERE.