News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A new national report published by BCSDN member Partners Albania provides the first in-depth look at community foundations in Albania, highlighting both challenges and growth opportunities. While the country has over 13,000 NPOs, community foundations remain limited, with “Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët” (KNK) the only formally registered foundation as of 2025. The report, using the 4Cs
Read more →A growing consensus is emerging across the democracy, governance, and civic-space field: sustaining democratic practice depends less on technocratic solutions and more on the relational and connective work that holds societies together. Practitioners, funders, and researchers increasingly point to the importance of translation, trust-building, and the “soft infrastructure” that enables collective action under pressure. This
Read more →Public procurement represents around one third of global government spending, totaling an estimated 10 trillion dollars annually, yet most procurement data remains inaccessible or difficult to analyze. Only a small share is published as open, machine-readable data, limiting the ability of journalists, civil society, and oversight bodies to identify corruption risks. This lack of transparency
Read more →SMART Balkans Research report: CSOs in the Western Balkans are at a decisive moment, confronting shrinking donor support alongside rising expectations tied to EU integration. Although these organizations have significantly contributed to democratization and citizen participation, their financial and organizational models remain fragile. Analysis reveals weaknesses in governance and internal management: while CSOs generally define
Read more →Civil society organizations from across the Western Balkans formally endorsed a joint declaration, calling for stronger social safeguards within the European Union’s Pact for Growth (part of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans). The declaration, signed by six organizations, emphasizes that the true success of the plan should not be measured solely by economic outcomes, but also
Read more →The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) has published a new foresight paper by James Logan exploring the key trends and drivers that will shape the future of civil society. Developed as part of ECNL’s new strategy process, the paper reflects on two decades of change while looking ahead to the world of 2035. It
Read more →A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders under the Aarhus Convention reveals a rising wave of threats and retaliation against environmental defenders across multiple regions. These threats are often linked to projects financed or operated by state entities or private companies. Defenders face complex risks from multiple actors, making identification of
Read more →The 100 Think Tanks to Watch 2025 initiative recognizes organizations that drive ideas and change worldwide. Nominations from peers highlight institutions for innovative approaches and impactful contributions over the past year. Unlike traditional rankings, it reflects collective appreciation rather than performance metrics. Created by On Think Tanks, it encourages collaboration, celebrates achievements, and fosters shared
Read more →CSOs are urged to adopt Dynamic Accountability practices to rebuild legitimacy and secure survival amid shrinking freedoms and smear campaigns. Speaking at the Global Accountability Month online session, BCSDN Executive Director Biljana Spasovska noted that accountability now defines not just credibility but survival. Dynamic accountability moves beyond compliance, focusing on reconnecting CSOs with citizens and
Read more →CSOs in Germany are increasingly facing allegations and attempts at delegitimisation, with growing claims that they exert political influence under the guise of non-profit status and with public funding. A new publication, The Anti-NGO Narrative provides a fact-based analysis of these accusations and shows how such narratives work. The accompanying factsheet subjects the main allegations
Read more →On 23 September 2025 at 14:00 CEST, the Vuka! Coalition, together with Accountable Now and Accountability Lab, will host a session titled “Accountability as Political Practice: Strengthening Legitimacy from Within”. The discussion will explore what meaningful accountability looks like beyond compliance and donor requirements, how organisations can navigate internal tensions and power dynamics while staying true
Read more →A new project led by ERA LGBTI with support from the EU is demonstrating CSO accountability in action by producing evidence-based policy briefs to promote the protection of LBQ women in the Western Balkans. Based on extensive research, legal analysis, and community focus groups in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia, these briefs serve
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