News and updates from BCSDN and the region
EU TACSO 3 has released an updated VAT Exemption Guide for CSOs in the Western Balkans and Türkiye that receive EU grant funding. The guide explains the procedures for obtaining VAT exemption and refunds on goods and services purchased with EU funds, including registration requirements and eligibility criteria. It clarifies the VAT exemption process for
Read more →“Foreign agent” laws are increasingly used by governments worldwide to restrict civil society and dissent, leveraging security justifications. Funders play a crucial role in supporting civil society to counter these laws, but efforts need to be proactive and long-term. Philanthropic foundations can act swiftly, while official donors can provide large-scale, strategic funding. Collaboration among funders
Read more →The ECNL package on fundraising provides vital insights into the power and significance of resource mobilization for CSOs. It highlights fundraising as a right, emphasizing its role in enabling grassroots activists, social movements, and CSOs to shape open societies, safeguard freedoms, and ensure their sustainability. This resource covers income diversification strategies, including grants, private donations,
Read more →The shrinking civic space in the Western Balkans poses significant challenges for activists and progressive organizations, particularly in the face of security risks, legal threats, and limited funding. To better support them, PeaceNexus commissioned research to identify available emergency resources and to explore how funders approach these challenges. The report maps the most common types
Read more →EU TACSO 3 has released an updated VAT Exemption Guide for CSOs in the Western Balkans and Türkiye that receive EU grant funding. The guide explains the procedures for obtaining VAT exemption and refunds on goods and services purchased with EU funds, including registration requirements and eligibility criteria. It clarifies the VAT exemption process for
Read more →The AidWatch 2024 report delivered by CONCORD highlights the critical condition of European Official Development Assistance (ODA), revealing significant shortfalls in meeting long-standing commitments. In 2023, ODA from EU Member States totaled 82.4 billion EUR, or 0.51% of Gross National Income (GNI), falling far below the 0.7% target established decades ago. Alarmingly, over 18.9 billion
Read more →On the European Day of Foundations and Donors, Philea and Impact Europe presented recommendations for policymakers to enhance impact investments and collaboration. They emphasize the need for diverse actors to address complex societal challenges, advocating for the use of private, public, and philanthropic resources. The recommendations, launched in the European Parliament, call for enabling impact
Read more →In September, the OECD Network of Foundations Working for Development (OECD netFWD) and WINGS issued a statement emphasizing the vital role of private philanthropy in the United Nations’ Summit of the Future. They highlighted that private philanthropic funding for development reached 42 billion USD from 2016 to 2019, crucially supporting efforts to alleviate poverty and
Read more →A 2020 OECD study reveals that less than 10% of bilateral donor funding for CSOs reaches the Global South, with the majority directed to Northern CSOs and or to large International Non-Government Organisations (INGOs). This practice, which has persisted for decades, stems from a historical reliance on Northern organizations for citizen engagement in development. While
Read more →NPOs often struggle to meet the diverse reporting requirements of multiple donors, which diverts time and resources away from their core missions. This challenge is particularly acute for smaller NPOs with limited capacity. The upcoming International Non-Profit Accounting Guidance (INPAG), set to launch in 2025, aims to address this issue by providing a global standard
Read more →Crowdfunding has revolutionized how communities can support important causes, offering a platform for collective action and meaningful change. By combining resources from various donors, crowdfunding has the potential to provide vital funding for nonprofits and social initiatives, turning visions into reality. In Kosovo, crowdfunding has been instrumental in advancing education, healthcare, and other critical areas.
Read more →The 14th edition of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index highlights global generosity, showing that despite ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges, people worldwide remain committed to helping those in need. Based on surveys of over 145,000 people in 140+ countries, the index reveals that volunteering, donations, and assistance to strangers have increased, with
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