At the OGP Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, BCSDN urged stronger action against tactics undermining democracy in the Western Balkans. Executive Director Biljana Spasovska warned that civil society faces restrictive laws and covert attacks, including smear campaigns and arbitrary inspections, draining resources and chilling civic space. She stressed that “performative participation” turns civil society involvement into a formality, weakening reforms and public trust. BCSDN called on the OGP to recognize these tactics as civic space violations and support targeted organizations, highlighting that rebuilding social trust is vital for regional democratic resilience. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN
