News and updates from BCSDN and the region
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
Read more →The Fund Our Futures Campaign was launched in response to rising global anti-LGBTI movements and underfunding of LGBTI rights. In November, nearly 200 donors from public and private sectors gathered in Cape Town, South Africa for the first fundraising summit supporting LGBTI movements. The summit was a key moment for the Global Philanthropy Project (GPP),
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 →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
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