What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Accountable Now – Sparking Change with Dynamic Accountability Dialogues

Accountable Now will be hosting an electrifying global event, uniting passionate change-makers dedicated to locally led development. The conference will ignite collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing, with vibrant panel discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging networking sessions. Inspiring success stories will be showcasing grassroots organizations driving transformative projects, highlighting the power of local leadership. Attendees will have

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Global Standard Partners Discuss Dynamic Accountability Measures in Nairobi

At the Global Standard for CSO Accountability Partnership meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, from 17-21 April, partners gathered to discuss how to promote and position a more enabling environment worldwide for CSOs. The meeting brought together experts from various countries, including Ms. Marija Vishinova Shemova, the Network and Partnership Coordinator of BCSDN. She analysed challenges faced

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Citizen-Generated Data: A Tool to Achieve Inclusive Development

Citizen-generated data (CGD) is a powerful tool for achieving inclusive development and leaving no one behind. It involves collecting data directly from communities and citizens to inform policy-making, service delivery, and advocacy efforts. CGD can provide valuable insights into the needs and priorities of marginalized communities, often excluded from traditional data collection methods. Through CGD,

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New Study Highlights Importance of Istanbul Principles and DAC Recommendations for Civil Society Enabling

A new study by the CPDE and ICSO reveals the importance of the Istanbul Principles and Development Assistance Committee (DAC) recommendations for enabling civil society. The study aims to promote an understanding of the principles and recommendations that guide the work of CSOs and donors in the development sector. It also provides an analysis of

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Five Ways to Build a Better NGO in The New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the nonprofit sector, with NGOs forced to adapt to new ways of working in a rapidly changing environment. In this article, Bond, the UK membership body for organizations working in international development, outlines five key ways that NGOs can build back better in the “new normal”. These include prioritizing

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RACoP Stories: SCiDEV Success and Challenges when Practicing Dynamic Accountability

A blog post published by the BCSDN discusses the experiences of SCIDEV, a think tank committed to driving sustainable social and economic development in the Western Balkans. SCIDEV faced challenges such as a lack of understanding of accountability and resistance to change but overcame them by building trust and providing support. Dynamic accountability, constantly adapting

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Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society

The article describes the work of SANCUS, a global network of CSOs focused on promoting transparency and accountability. The article outlines the challenges faced by CSOs in holding governments and other powerful actors accountable, including limited access to information, lack of resources and capacity, and risks of reprisal. SANCUS addresses these challenges by providing a

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Report Highlights the Importance of Implementing Common Standards for CSOs

A report published by the International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon) highlights the importance of implementing common standards for CSOs. The report notes that adopting common standards can help enhance the accountability, effectiveness, and credibility of CSOs. It also emphasizes that implementing common standards can serve as a means to counter negative narratives and

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Mapping and Rapid Assessment of National NGO Coordination Mechanisms in Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova

The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) has released a report on the mapping and rapid assessment of national NGO coordination mechanisms in four Eastern European countries – Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova. The report aims to identify existing coordination mechanisms for CSOs in these countries, their strengths and weaknesses, and ways

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Five Lessons for Civil Society Collaboration

In a recent article, five key lessons for civil society collaboration were highlighted based on the experiences of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) community. The first lesson is the importance of building trust among civil society actors. By creating an environment of mutual trust, respect, and accountability, civil society actors can work more effectively together

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CIVICUS’s Approach to an Accessible Mission Statement and Theory of Change

CIVICUS, an international alliance dedicated to strengthening civil society, has developed a comprehensive approach to creating an accessible mission statement and theory of change. The organization recognizes the importance of clear and concise language in communicating its goals and strategies. It aims to ensure that all stakeholders, including those with disabilities and those for whom

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