News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A number of European organizations signed an anti- Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) policy paper in Europe, indicating that the EU must end gag lawsuits used to silence individuals and organizations that hold those in positions of power to account. The organizations suggest that SLAPPs are lawsuits brought forward by powerful actors such as
Read more →As part of a coordinated campaign, 9 European members of the Civil Liberties Union for Europe filed a freedom of information requests to national authorities to ensure that governments are abiding by EU data protection legislation. CSOs from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, expressed their opinion that they would like to
Read more →The compendium brings together all the opinions and reports which, over the last thirty years, have enabled the EESC and CSOs to strengthen participatory democracy and become a necessary part of the European decision-making process. EESC has played a crucial role in creating a European public forum, growing stronger during the years. Significantly, it has
Read more →The space available for civil society, activists, and citizens have been under attack over the past decade. The report confirms a recent acceleration of the trend of ‘closing’ or ‘shrinking’ civic space. Triggered by both state and non-state actors through legal means like repressive laws, as well as through para-legal tactics, the backlash affect progressive
Read more →The publication is the second in a series of reports which analyzes the effects of the Corona crisis management on institutions, political and civil rights, parties, civil society, as well as external factors. While the governments have managed to prevent the healthcare systems from collapse, there is relaxation of the measures affecting civil and political
Read more →Governments are taking exceptional steps in response to COVID-19, such as enforcing social distancing and quarantine measures. Prohibitions against people gatherings have had a dramatic impact on civic space across the globe. A healthy civic space is vital in times of crisis, from nurturing innovative pandemic responses to ensuring vulnerable communities receive the proper support.
Read more →The survey measures both the current nonprofit use and the needs of IT tools and software. The results are intended to provide all capacity building providers and grantmakers in the region with knowledge about what are the specific needs of the nonprofit sector in the technology sphere so that we can altogether be more responsive
Read more →The Opinion Poll “Trust in Governance” is an annual exercise implemented by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) to measure citizens’ trust in public institutions. It explores public perceptions regarding transparency and accountability, corruption, citizen engagement in policy and decision-making, satisfaction with public service delivery, and enforcement of non-discriminatory laws and policies. This year’s
Read more →CSOs are essential in raising people’s voices and assisting victims. This handbook provides practical guidance for CSOs to advocate and litigate to protect their rights and fight against closing space in the EU. The document also answers the questions of what happens when CSOs themselves become the actual targets and victims and their fundamental rights
Read more →ECNL and BCSDN organized a joint webinar to provide an overview of current practices and responses in the Western Balkans, Croatia and Romania, with the underlying question – how can civil society effectively monitor and prepare to request lifting of restrictions during Corona pandemic. Speakers discussed the severe measures that have been taken in the
Read more →CSOs and the Council for Cooperation with and Development of the Civil Sector in North Macedonia call on the Government to reconsider and change its decision to drastically reduce financial support for CSOs. They refer that this decision, by which financial support, depending on the institution, is completely abolished or severely reduced, and is taken
Read more →In a press release CPCD’s states that by excluding CSOs from the economic mitigation measures defined in the draft law, the FBiH Government is endangering the development of civil society in the country. It is explained that the proposed Law on Mitigation of Economic Consequences excludes CSOs as the third pillar of democratic society. FBiH
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