News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Council of Europe Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) has launched a public consultation seeking input on the draft text of a revised Recommendation concerning the legal status of CSOs. Recognising CSOs as essential to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights through their role in promoting public awareness and participation, the committee is
Read more →A new U.S. executive order is poised to fundamentally reshape federal grant funding by aligning it directly with the President’s policy priorities. The article outlines how this “structural transformation” will introduce political oversight, potentially terminate existing grants, and make peer review optional. For grantees, this creates new administrative and legal challenges, potentially leading to the
Read more →Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe reacts to the new EU-US trade agreement with concern. The deal, which triples U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, directly undermines the stability and sustainability of the civil society sector by locking the continent into a long-term dependency on fossil fuels. This move, which clashes with the goals of the
Read more →The working document on “Enhancing Western Balkans’ Participation in Horizon Europe and Framework Programme 10,” provides an analysis of current participation trends, structural challenges, and opportunities for scaling up engagement in EU-funded research and innovation programmes. This working document finds that WB6 has improved its participation in Horizon Europe, with Serbia and Montenegro emerging as
Read more →The Clingendael Institute’s geopolitical mapping of the Western Balkans highlights a troubling trend: external influences are actively undermining the enabling environment for a stable and democratic civil society. While the region is formally on the path to EU integration, a complex web of international powers is exerting influence that erodes democracy and stability. This poses
Read more →The intensifying crackdown on the “Students in Blockade” movement in Serbia is a critical challenge to the enabling environment for civil society. What began as a demand for accountability following a tragic infrastructure collapse has evolved into a nationwide protest for democracy and transparency. However, UN experts report that the Serbian government is responding with
Read more →Short Description: Facing Facts is offering a three-week online course designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to understand and respond to hate speech. The course provides a deep dive into legal frameworks, practical strategies, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), with a focus on building collaborative and effective responses. Target Group:
Read more →In the opinion published following the Plenary Session 598, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is strongly advocating for institutionalized civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries. This call was made during its plenary session in mid-July 2025, where an Enlargement Forum also highlighted the role of social dialogue, civil society,
Read more →The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its Guidance on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering measures to help countries and the private sector expand access to formal financial services while maintaining risk-based controls. The guidance links financial inclusion to effective detection of illicit activities, emphasizing that increased access improves transparency and law enforcement’s ability
Read more →Since 2014, the Spitzenkandidat system was introduced to boost democratic legitimacy by linking voters to the European Commission president’s selection through party lead candidates. Used for Juncker and von der Leyen, it has fallen short: rather than fostering debate or accountability, it created institutional confusion, strengthened the Commission politically, and weakened Parliament’s oversight—resulting in a
Read more →As digital threats and geopolitical tensions increase, cybersecurity is a key priority for the Western Balkans’ EU integration. The six countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—seek phased access to EU cybersecurity structures, starting with ENISA observer status. Currently, candidate countries have limited access, but the EU Cybersecurity Act revision offers a
Read more →The Report prepared by Metamorphosis outlines key digitalization and cybersecurity goals with a June 2025 deadline, and plans for 2026 and 2027. It highlights North Macedonia’s strategic roadmap toward EU integration, emphasizing reforms that affect EU funding and membership progress. After the 2022 Intergovernmental Conference, the country accelerated efforts, especially in digitalizing public administration to
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