What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Guidance on Ensuring Respect for Human Rights while Taking Measures to Counter the Financing of Terrorism

Two UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Groups have launched new guidance to help Member States ensure full respect for human rights while implementing measures to counter the financing of terrorism (CFT). The document provides practical recommendations for defining financing offences, gathering financial intelligence, conducting investigations, and applying targeted financial sanctions. It specifically examines the

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Volunteering as a Critical Defender of Civic Space in the Western Balkans

BCSDN underscores the vital role of volunteering as a powerful act of resilience against shrinking civic space in the Western Balkans. Following the Regional EU Conference, we emphasize that volunteers are crucial for activating local agency, building cross-border solidarity, and championing transparency. With 2026 declared the International Volunteering Year (IVY), BCSDN calls for governments to

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FRA Launches Human Rights Structures Navigator

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has launched the Human Rights Structures Navigator, a comprehensive new tool designed to support the enabling environment for human rights protection across Europe. The Navigator provides a centralised overview of major human rights institutions and structures across EU Member States and candidate countries. Designed for practitioners, EU

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Disinformation Used to Undermine Youth Protests in Serbia

Disinformation surrounding youth protests in Serbia is being deployed to suppress civic engagement and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Following a “historic day of anger” in mid-March 2025—sparked by the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy and student demands for accountability—pro-government media quickly moved to reframe the demonstrations. Instead of addressing the

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North Macedonia Launches Open-Access Media and Communications Review

The Institute of Communication Studies in Skopje, North Macedonia, launched Kairos – Journal of Media and Communications Review in 2022. This open-access platform aims to foster knowledge exchange among academics, researchers, and professionals in media and communications. Kairos focuses on contemporary issues and future developments across interdisciplinary discussions, empirical research, and the interaction of expertise

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Bulgarian MPs to Form Commission to Investigate George Soros’s Influence

Bulgaria’s parliament has set up a commission to investigate alleged influence by NGOs and companies linked to George Soros and his son, a move driven by pro-Russian, nationalist parties and by Delyan Peevski’s New Beginning. GERB lawmakers mostly abstained or voted against. Although presenting himself as pro-Western, Peevski has increasingly used anti-Soros conspiracy rhetoric common

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EU: Uphold Hard-Won Protections for Digital Human Rights

WHAT TO FIX, along with 125 CSOs, has expressed serious concerns over the EU Digital Omnibus proposals, warning they could dismantle key protections for personal data, AI oversight, and digital rights. The coalition argues that under the guise of “technical streamlining,” the proposals risk weakening the ePrivacy framework, the GDPR, and AI regulations, potentially exposing

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Work Programme 2026: Commission Proposes to Withdraw Support for Non-profit Sector

Civil Society Europe has raised concern over the European Commission’s plan to withdraw the European Cross-Border Associations (ECBA) Directive from its 2026 Work Programme. The proposal, developed by the now-dismantled social economy unit in DG GROW, was expected to create a long-awaited European Association Status, enabling non-profit organisations to operate more easily across borders. With

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What Happens after Europe’s NGOs are Dismantled?

Independent civil society organisations across Europe are warning of growing pressure that threatens democratic accountability and public-interest protections. Once key partners in shaping policies on health, the environment and social rights, many groups now face defunding, smear campaigns and shrinking civic space. Recent EU funding cuts have forced health NGOs to scale back, while environmental

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BCSDN Urges OGP to Combat Covert Attacks on Democracy in the Western Balkans

At the OGP Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, BCSDN urged stronger action against tactics undermining democracy in the Western Balkans. Executive Director Biljana Spasovska warned that civil society faces restrictive laws and covert attacks, including smear campaigns and arbitrary inspections, draining resources and chilling civic space. She stressed that “performative participation” turns civil society involvement

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