What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

New Report Highlights Collective Care as Key to Sustaining Feminist and LGBTQI+ Movements in the Western Balkans and South Caucasus

A new report, Putting Out Fires till They Burn Out, examines how feminist and LGBTQI+ organisations in the South Caucasus and Western Balkans sustain their work amid war legacies, authoritarianism, economic insecurity, and shrinking civic space. Drawing on 87 interviews conducted between 2022 and 2024, alongside ethnographic research and grants analysis, the report argues that

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Albania: Civil Society and Media Organisations Condemn Targeting of BIRN Albania Director

A broad coalition of civil society, media freedom, and human rights organisations has expressed concern over the public targeting of Kristina Voko, Executive Director of BIRN Albania, by Albanian MP Ardit Bido following her intervention during a parliamentary hearing. The signatories argue that a legitimate contribution concerning the legal obligations of the public broadcaster was

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Civil Society Leader to EU: ‘Stop the Witch Hunt on NGOs Before It’s Too Late for Democracy’

In a major interview published by EUobserver, Natacha Kazatchkine, Secretary General of the European Civic Forum (ECF), warns that a coordinated effort — including through the European Parliament’s EPP-driven Scrutiny Working Group on NGO financing is starving civil society of funding, legitimacy, and space to defend democratic values. Kazatchkine identifies three converging threats: legislation targeting

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Slovenia’s NGO Fund Abolition Debate Offers a Regional Lesson

A recently published analysis by BCSDN member CNVOS offers a detailed, fact-based rebuttal to government proposals to abolish the national Fund for the Development of NGOs, following a minister’s statement that 1% income-tax donations could replace it. The analysis demonstrates that the fund — which has distributed EUR 69 million to 558 organizations and leveraged

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Türkiye: Proposed Judicial Package Raises Concerns over LGBTI+ Rights and Freedoms

CSOs and human rights advocates have raised concerns over proposed provisions reportedly included in Türkiye’s upcoming 12th Judicial Package. According to reporting by Kaos GL, a leading Turkish LGBTI+ rights organisation and media platform, the draft would introduce new restrictions affecting LGBTI+ individuals, including changes to gender affirmation procedures and provisions that rights groups argue

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North Macedonia: CSOs Warn Proposed Amendments to the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games Could Cut Funding for Vulnerable Groups

CSOs in North Macedonia are calling on Members of Parliament not to support proposed amendments to the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games, warning that the changes could seriously undermine the financial sustainability of organisations providing essential support to vulnerable communities. Organisations including the Network for Protection against Discrimination, the Gender Equality Platform,

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Romania: Draft “Foreign Agents” Law Proposed in Parliament

A newly adopted proposal in Romania to amend the Law on Associations and Foundations is raising serious concerns among CSOs over growing restrictions on freedom of association and privacy. The draft law, approved by the Senate on 18 May, would require associations and foundations to publicly disclose donor identities and introduces severe sanctions, including suspension

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Slovenia: Hostile Narratives and Political Pressure Raise Concerns for Civic Space

Recent political developments in Slovenia are raising growing concerns among CSOs over increasing hostility, intimidation, and political pressure targeting independent civic actors. Following the March 2026 parliamentary elections, parties involved in coalition negotiations, particularly the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), have renewed narratives portraying CSOs as politically biased and misusing public funds. Proposed parliamentary inquiries into

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