What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Whistleblower Protection Guidance

Safe and effective whistleblowing protects everyone involved with aid: the people affected by crises, aid workers and the organisation itself. By identifying problems or harm, organisations can ensure that misconduct or wrongdoing is acted upon. This resource has been created by CHS Alliance to provide practical guidance and a policy framework for CHS Alliance members

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Political Unrest and Propaganda Spark Online Violations

Anti-government protests, political rhetoric, and institutional instability appeared to be the main causes of digital rights violations in Southeast Europe over the past fortnight. An article published by the Balkan insight does a thorough overview of the anti-government protests in Serbia, the political tensions in the digital environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the rise of

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EFC Report on Rule of Law in the EU

The ECF, a pan-European network of CSOs, has published its report on the Rule of Law in the EU. The report notes the importance of vibrant civil society space as the foundation of a strong and well-functioning rule of law. Recommendations from the report note the urgency for the European Commission to develop a civil

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North Macedonia: Open Call for CSOs for OGP Involvement

The OGP CSO Network that advocates for the establishment of a new structure for coordination of the OGP process in Northern Macedonia in accordance with the international experience, has launched an open call for expression of interest for membership of representatives from interested CSOs in the Council for coordination and monitoring of the National Action

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Policy Review: A Study of the Role of Young Politicians in Domestic and Regional Reconciliation and Dealing with the Past

Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst in North Macedonia has published a study on the role of young politicians in domestic and regional processes of reconciliation and dealing with the past. The interactive publication is aiming to explore opportunities to strengthen the role of young politicians in these processes. The review recommendations include stimulation of the participation of

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Preventing Money Laundering and Fight Against Terrorism in Albania

Partners Albania, BCSDN member organization, has started the implementation of an initiative that aims to empower CSOs to proactively engage in an enabling legal environment in the context of preventing money laundering and combating terrorist financing. The intervention focuses on mapping and analyzing the legal and regulatory framework in the country on the prevention of

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CSOs in Serbia are Warning: Pressure on Activists Must Stop – Public officials Must Take Criticism

The Three Freedoms platform, by addressing an open letter co-signed by 18 CSOs from Serbia, draws the public’s attention to the lawsuits in Novi Pazar against activists who criticized the actions of the health authorities in this city during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Basic Court`s verdict against civil activist Aladin Paučinac for the criminal

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Policy Brief: Insufficient Oversight of EU Affairs by Citizens and National Parliaments in Slovenia and Croatia

A policy brief authored by Igor Vidačak, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Zagreb, explores the possibilities for strengthening citizens’ trust in the work of EU institutions by promoting greater accountability of national governments and parliaments in dealing with EU issues. The policy document notes that an effective debate

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New, Free, Online Research Tool: Sharp Power Research Portal

The International Forum for Democratic Studies has released the Sharp Power Research Portal, an interactive digital tool that catalogues research and reporting on authoritarian sharp power in: media and information; commerce; culture and entertainment; knowledge generation; and technology. With over 750 resources in five languages, the Portal features easily accessible examples and analyses of the

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