News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A briefing paper released by the International Commission of Jurists points out that, “while new digital technology may be helpful for the protection of human rights, it also carries a real and potential negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights”. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the international human rights legal
Read more →Within the framework of the Solidarity Action Network (SANE), a guidance “Navigating cybersecurity: Guidance for (I)CSO professionals” has been developed to help civil society actors better respond to cybersecurity challenges and digital threats. The guidance shares lessons learned and best practices from a series of SANE curated conversations on the topics of data protection and
Read more →Citizens are important allies of public institutions, the non-governmental sector, and the media in the fight against corruption. Advocacy campaigns conducted through public information and education activities are creative and constructive tools to motivate and engage citizens to oppose corruption, it was stated at the kick-off Masterclass “From silence to action” organized in Sarajevo for
Read more →Individual Giving and Philanthropy in Turkey 2021 Report, which presents a comprehensive and up-to-date data on individual giving and philanthropy, has been published on 31 May. The report presents data under sections Perceptions of Civil Society, Individual Giving, and Giving Motivations in Turkey. Referencing the earlier research conducted by TÜSEV, the report also provides a
Read more →The European Commission is taking action to improve the protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive court proceedings. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as ‘SLAPPs’, are a particular form of harassment used primarily against journalists and human rights defenders to prevent or penalize speaking up on issues of public interest. It
Read more →Governments need to step up their efforts and coordination to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by adopting stricter regulation and supervision of the virtual assets sector and the specialised “gatekeeper” professions, such as lawyers, accountants and other services providers who often help launderers, according to the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing
Read more →A new study of the Council of Europe (CoE) tackles the elaboration and oversight of the implementation of certain European and international requirements with respect to activities that might support or act as a cover for money laundering and terrorist financing insofar as this can have an adverse impact on the legitimate activities of NGOs
Read more →The Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) based in Albania is conducting a study, commissioned by BCSDN, which aims to evaluate the partnerships CSOs establish with businesses as a way to increase sustainability and accomplish their mission. The questionnaire aims to collect examples of successful CSOs-private sector partnerships, challenges, drivers, and barriers to such partnerships.
Read more →The first high-level international conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism, jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Spain, concluded today in Málaga. More than 430 participants, among them member states, regional and international organizations, United Nations entities and 44 Civil Society organizations, came together to exchange ideas and experiences
Read more →The OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS), mainly aimed at banks and other financial institutions, has a primary purpose to enable tax authorities to automatically exchange certain types of information on an annual basis to better detect tax evasion and crimes/offenses. However, under its current wording, public-benefit foundations and non-profit organisations can fall under the label
Read more →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
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