News and updates from BCSDN and the region
What does civic space mean, and why is it a keystone to any democracy? Although it differs around the world, civic space is central to democracy, and we can all help protect it. A recently published article with multimedia content, by the Liberties, dives deep into these questions, painting picturesque images on the topic of
Read more →The pilot edition of the Civic Health Index Bulgaria is now here – a national survey on the state of democracy and civic participation in Bulgaria, which serves as a warning mechanism for democratic deficits. The Civic Health Index Bulgaria (Index) is a sociological survey by the Sofia Platform Foundation, inspired by the Civic Health
Read more →The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) invites applications from suitably qualified nationals of OSCE participating States with an expertise in the field of freedom of peaceful assembly and/or association, to join the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association. The Panel will be appointed for a four-year
Read more →As the final stage of the trialogue negotiations on the Digital Services Act (DSA) is approaching, the DSA Human Rights Alliance is calling for the Act to truly comply with international human rights standards. In the joint reaction the group of 27civil society organizations that came together around the central tenet that the DAC must
Read more →An article supported with interview statements from anti-corruption experts from the region examines the state of the whistle-blower’s protection practices in the Western Balkans was published by the European Western Balkans. The article notes that despite their contribution to transparency and justice, individuals who report illegalities are very often deprived of adequate treatment. Zorana Marković,
Read more →A policy brief published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime looks at topics of common interest to CSOs in the Western Balkans dealing with issues related to organized crime. The main findings suggest CSOs in small communities can make a big difference but are also more exposed, they need support from other CSOs,
Read more →A guide published by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights underlines the added value to all of being a human rights city. The guide provides practical assistance for local authorities that want to drive respect for human rights. They can use it to design and implement their step-by-step policies and strategies across a wide range
Read more →Although the enhancement of the state financing system is one of the priorities of the civil society, and according to the Work Program of the Government of the North Macedonia for the period 2022-2024, it is also a priority of the executive government, the recent restructurings and budget cuts for civil society organizations reaffirm the
Read more →The European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) has published its second set of proposals on the EU AI Act amendments focus on risk designation and impact assessments – flexibility mechanisms that support innovation and fundamental rights. In the document, ECNL calls on the EU to adopt meaningful fundamental rights impact assessment requirements for AI systems
Read more →As a part of the Citizen Engagement Activity, implemented by our member Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development in Kosovo, the first meeting of the Informal Philanthropy Forum in Kosovo was held in Pristina, last week. Designed to be a platform for dialogue and action between
Read more →Institute for Democracy Societas Civilis – Skopje, our member organization, Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation and Southeast European Leadership for Development Initiative (SELDI) held a regional forum: “Fighting Corruption: The Western Balkans in Focus” in Skopje last week. The event aimed to give impetus to ongoing and necessary anti-corruption reforms and to provide a space
Read more →EU TACSO has published Assessment of the State of the Enabling Environment and Capacities of Civil Society against the2014-2020 Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement region for the year 2020. The study has been carried out by a team of researchers of the Balkan Civil Society Development Network. The main focus
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