News and updates from BCSDN and the region
CIVICUS has been examining the challenges and strategies for CSOs in response to funding cuts, particularly the sudden USAID funding freeze in 2025. The impact of these cuts on CSOs’ financial stability and operations is highlighted, based on a survey conducted by CIVICUS among its members, networks, and communities. Various mitigation strategies CSOs employ include
Read more →In a new strategic overview, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) underscores the enduring relevance of democracy support as both a moral obligation and a long-term investment in global stability, prosperity, and resilience. The report positions democracy as a system that delivers tangible benefits, including economic development, civic accountability, and peace, contrasting sharply with authoritarian
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has issued a detailed response to the first draft of the outcome document for the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). While welcoming stronger language on aid quantity and effectiveness, CPDE argues the draft remains insufficient to meet the scale of today’s global challenges. It
Read more →The Trump administration is advancing a sweeping plan to restructure U.S. foreign aid, according to a leaked internal memo obtained by Reuters. The proposal envisions dismantling much of USAID and creating a narrower, rebranded agency—the U.S. Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance—focused solely on disaster relief, global health, and food security. Key programs related to democracy
Read more →A growing number of philanthropic organisations are experimenting with artificial intelligence, yet equity remains largely absent from the dominant AI conversation. Findings from the Technology Association of Grantmakers and the UK’s Association of Charitable Foundations show interest in AI across the sector, but only a small fraction have developed policies or integrated the technology organisation-wide.
Read more →The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has regained access to congressionally appropriated funds after restrictions since late January. The State Department’s decision to lift these limitations is a crucial step in restoring NED’s ability to support democracy worldwide. This follows a lawsuit challenging the unlawful denial of 167 million USD in obligated funds and 72
Read more →Philea warns that EU member states have only a few months left to implement the European Council’s recommendations on developing the social economy, which could eliminate key barriers to cross-border philanthropy. These hurdles include discriminatory tax treatment, restricted access to banking services, and growing restrictions on so-called foreign agents, a concern in countries such as
Read more →INTRAC is deeply concerned about the recent ODA cuts by several OECD countries, including the US, the Netherlands, and the UK, which signal a dangerous shift toward isolationism and a failure to uphold commitments to poverty eradication. As per INTRAC, while aid should not be a long-term necessity, these cuts—driven by rising right-wing nationalism—have been
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has urged all development stakeholders to take a stand against the US government’s suspension of foreign aid, calling it a serious escalation in the crisis of multilateralism. The platform condemns similar past US actions, including withdrawals from international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, WHO, and UN Tax
Read more →Philea has published the “2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders: What’s Happening to European Democracy and What Funders Can Do About It,” an in-depth explainer commissioned by the Democracy Network. This publication examines the phenomenon of democratic backsliding in Europe. The briefer identifies key factors contributing to democratic erosion, such as unmet socio-economic needs, increasing polarization,
Read more →In a statement CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) raises concerns over the decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and its impact on global development. Responding to the FfD4 Zero Draft, CPDE calls on UN Member States to uphold past ODA commitments, enforce the 0.7% GNI target, and recognize the 7.1 trillion USD shortfall as
Read more →The study provides a deep dive into the current state of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) funding across Europe. It examines critical challenges such as the accessibility and sustainability of funding, the impact of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and the evolving role of EU programmes like DEAR. Key insights
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