News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A Turkish court’s decision to jail investigative journalist İsmail Arı has drawn strong criticism from media freedom advocates, who warn of growing pressure on independent journalism in Turkey. Detained on charges of spreading “misinformation,” Arı is seen by rights groups as being targeted for reporting on sensitive issues, including corruption and religious networks. Advocacy organisations
Read more →On 12 March 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a conference in Skopje bringing together CSOs, social partners, EU institutions and national authorities to discuss key priorities for North Macedonia’s EU accession process. The event focused on the role of organised civil society in accession negotiations and the implementation of the Reform
Read more →BCSDN member Partners Albania, together with 30 CSOs, has called on the Albanian Parliament to ensure that proposed amendments to its Rules of Procedure do not undermine transparency, parliamentary scrutiny, and public consultation in legislation related to EU integration. While recognising the need for efficiency during this intensive phase of accession negotiations, civil society stresses
Read more →A wave of coordinated bot attacks has targeted independent journalists and media outlets in Serbia, leading to the suspension or deletion of key Instagram accounts. Photojournalists Irena Radosavljević and Gavrilo Andrić, outlets including Nova.rs and OzonPress, and weekly publication Radar were hit by mass reporting from fake profiles. Some accounts were suspended for months, while
Read more →Civil Society Europe (CSE) has provided input to the European Commission’s call for evidence on improving its Better Regulation guidelines, cautioning that simplification efforts must not undermine fundamental rights, sustainable development, or democratic standards. As these guidelines shape how EU laws are prepared and implemented, CSE highlights the importance of evidence-based policymaking, independent scientific expertise,
Read more →The report argues that the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 was developed for a political context that has since changed significantly. While the strategy contributed to progress on pay transparency, corporate equality measures, funding conditions, and the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention, many advances resulted from external pressure, legal action, and shifting national policies
Read more →A new policy paper by ECNL finds that CSOs and human rights defenders forced into exile face serious barriers to accessing banking services in EU countries. Based on a global survey, many organisations struggle to open accounts, transfer funds, or maintain banking relationships, often due to visa status, lack of long-term residency, or links to
Read more →European CSOs have raised alarm after a US congressional report on alleged EU “censorship” published thousands of emails with the names of EU Commission officials and NGO staff visible, while tech company employees’ identities were redacted. The House Judiciary Committee report, based on subpoenaed communications with platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok, is seen
Read more →Draft annual reports on Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia were presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), stressing that rule-of-law reforms are essential for EU accession. Rapporteurs noted limited progress alongside challenges such as corruption, political polarization, judicial independence, and weak implementation of reforms. Albania was urged to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, Montenegro
Read more →BCSDN member Civic Initiatives has published an analysis of the 2024 public calls issued by Serbia’s Ministry for Family Care and Demography, revealing serious transparency and accountability concerns in the allocation of public funds. Across four calls, around 176.7 million RSD were awarded to 75 organizations, with a notable share going to associations lacking visible
Read more →Protests in Sarajevo erupted after a fatal tram accident on 12 February that killed a 23-year-old student and seriously injured several others. The tragedy has galvanised a new generation of young people, demanding accountability, safer public transport, and broader systemic change in a country widely seen as struggling with dysfunctional governance. Daily demonstrations led by
Read more →The Skopje Court of Appeal has upheld a defamation ruling against journalists from the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL), including editor-in-chief Saška Cvetkovska, in a case widely described as a SLAPP case. The lawsuit was filed by businessman and former Deputy Prime Minister Kočo Angjušev over IRL’s documentary on the alleged use of heavily polluting oil
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