News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Against a backdrop of shrinking civic space and growing corporate pressure, Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum, including Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats, the Greens/EFA, the EPP, and The Left — have launched a Manifesto on Civil Society. Through the Interest Group on Civil Society, MEPs pledge to support, protect,
Read more →EU member state ambassadors held an extraordinary debate on Serbia following the adoption of judicial laws that the European Commission considers a step backwards in the rule of law. Several countries — including Scandinavian and Baltic states and the Netherlands — expressed serious concern and called for considering a suspension of payments from the EU
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 →Civil society organisations are currently contributing to the public consultation on North Macedonia’s new Draft Law on Associations and Foundations, which addresses key aspects of the sector’s legal status, governance, and funding. The process remains open on the ENER Platform, allowing organisations to review the draft and submit comments. As part of this effort, the
Read more →Partners Albania, a BCSDN member, has submitted comprehensive recommendations on the draft Law on Donations and Sponsorships, advocating for a legal framework that balances transparency with operational ease. The organization urges lawmakers to avoid excessive administrative burdens that could stifle philanthropic activity, emphasizing that clear, simplified rules are essential for fostering public trust and sustaining
Read more →The OKO Coalition has issued an urgent call to Serbia’s Ministry of Health to publish final decisions on two public funding calls that have remained in limbo for nearly a year. Despite ranking lists being finalized in April 2025, the ministry has yet to disclose the allocation of over 25 million RSD intended for preventive
Read more →A new study on citizen attitudes in Bosnia and Herzegovina challenges the “anti-gender” narratives currently gaining traction in regional political discourse. Despite the country’s strong traditional and religious landscape, the research finds a robust majority in favor of equal opportunities in education, employment, and political participation. Crucially, the findings reveal that most citizens do not
Read more →The 2025 Public Opinion Analysis reveals a significant resurgence in pro-EU sentiment in North Macedonia, with support climbing to 71%—a nearly 10% increase from previous years. This surge is marked by a narrowing gap between ethnic communities, as support among ethnic Macedonians rose by 15% to match the long-standing enthusiasm of ethnic Albanians. Despite this
Read more →A new analysis highlights a critical rift in North Macedonia’s digital landscape: while national laws are increasingly aligned with EU standards, a lack of robust enforcement leaves citizens vulnerable to “surveillance capitalism.” From daily app usage to AI-driven behavior tracking, personal data is frequently monetized and exploited with minimal oversight, turning the rule of law
Read more →As enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) intensifies, the DSA Human Rights Alliance —a coalition including BCSDN partner Liberties—is calling on authorities to ensure that human rights remain at the heart of platform regulation. With the “Brussels Effect” likely to see these rules emulated globally, the Alliance warns that enforcement must be transparent,
Read more →The International Press Institute (IPI) has joined media freedom and journalist organisations in calling for the full decriminalisation of defamation in Albania, stressing that recent amendments to the Criminal Code, while a positive step, fall short of European standards. Approved on 21 January by the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration, the amendments
Read more →A civic education activity organised by the Serbian CSOs- Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) at “Xhevdet Doda” High School in Prishtina has sparked controversy following a public statement by the Municipality of Prishtina’s Directorate of Education. The session focused on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers—an institution established by the Assembly of Kosovo—and was conducted with
Read more →