News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The social dialogue entitled “Philanthropy as Giving for the Common Good – Improving the Incentive Framework” was organized with a focus on boosting charitable donations and reviving the Philanthropy Council established in 2018. Key proposals included creating a compensation fund for VAT refunds on donations and enhancing crowdfunding regulations. Catalyst’s suggestions were several improvements to
Read more →Western Balkan countries must submit their Reform Agendas to the European Commission by 24 August to access the new Reform and Growth Facility funds. Approved agendas will see the first funds released by the end of the year. The facility offers 2 billion EUR in grants and 4 billion EUR in loans from 2024-2027, allocated
Read more →The article by Charlotte Timson, Vice-Chair of BOND and former CEO of Transform Trade, states the importance of flexible funding and transformative approaches within development organizations. At the Bogotá #ShiftThePower Global Summit, Timson learned about the inadequacies of current funding systems and the critical role of community-led initiatives in achieving justice. Transform Trade began a
Read more →Konekt’s annual philanthropic circle showcased collective empowerment and generosity, raising one million MKD through individual and corporate donations. The funds will support three selected organizations: Action Zdruzenska, Enheleus Lihnida, and the Women’s Rights Initiative from Shuto Orizari. These initiatives aim to empower women, foster youth creativity, and combat domestic violence. Konekt’s team, expressed gratitude for
Read more →There is a need for unrestricted funding for charitable organizations to enhance their strategic planning, financial stability, and operational efficiency. Drawing from research and experiences at the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), it urges funders to trust organizations’ expertise and grant them greater control over spending. By shifting away from restrictive funding models, funders
Read more →There is a need for trust and vulnerability in the relationship between funders and social movements. Power dynamics shape the allocation of financial resources and emphasizes the importance of open communication. Drawing from experiences in philanthropy, particularly from the ‘What Moves Movements’ inquiry commissioned by the Lankelly Chase Foundation, the article it highlights challenges and
Read more →The #ShiftThePower movement, a global network advocating for equitable aid practices, raises concerns to OECD DAC members about opaque funding practices that disproportionately benefit Global North CSOs. Despite commitments to support Southern leadership and civil society, aid flows remain “tied”, largely favoring Northern CSOs and hindering Southern CSOs. The movement urges DAC members to remove
Read more →The EU’s Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) initiative is transforming civil society by empowering grassroots organizations. FSTP simplifies access to EU funding, aiming to boost the ability of smaller, local CSOs to engage with their communities. The initiative recognizes and nurtures the potential of local actors through smaller grants and easier application processes, benefiting
Read more →The European Parliament and the member states reached a political agreement to provide 6 billion EUR to help Western Balkan countries get ready to join the EU. The highly concessional loans and grants will help make WB economies strong and change things for the better. With this support, the Western Balkans can move faster towards
Read more →Sida’s announcement to terminate all multi-year agreements with Swedish NGO partners by the end of 2024 has sent shockwaves through the community. This decision heralds a significant shift in funding dynamics, opening opportunities for global organizations to compete for support starting January 2025. The move, prompted by government directives, aims to implement a new funding
Read more →The Donor Transformation Challenge aims to revolutionize the support system for grassroots changemakers by addressing institutional barriers prevalent in donor organizations. Recognizing the disconnect between donors and local leaders, the challenge advocates for dismantling colonial and transactional practices ingrained in the current support system. Over 12 months, participants focus on various topics crucial for transformation,
Read more →While the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans offers substantial financial aid and aims to incentivize reforms, it faces criticism on several fronts. Observers have dismissed it as offering easy money with loose accession conditionality, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Furthermore, the plan lacks a direct connection to the formal accession process, potentially
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