News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Financial sustainability is crucial for local CSOs if they are to become resilient, effective organizations. An over-reliance on international funding makes local CSOs vulnerable to changing aid priorities and donor withdrawal. Without this security, local organizations cannot plan for the long-term and have less ownership of the development process. Peace Direct, was involved in a
Read more →A Handbook on Transparency and Citizen Participation in Albania was jointly developed by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and Partners Albania for Change and Development. The handbook serves as a practical guidance on transparency and citizen participation, aiming to support local authorities in their efforts to improve the quality of
Read more →The Global Civil Society Summit in Belgrade, which BCSDN co-hosted together with the Civil Society Partnership for Effective Development (CPDE), CIVICUS and Action for Sustainable Development on April 8th, resulted with launching of an urgent Call to Action for Member States of the United Nations to address these issues on closing civic space in the
Read more →According to the latest CIVICUS Monitor update on Serbia, one of the 5 countries currently on the Monitor Watchlist, April 2019 was marked by attacks on journalists working for independent and investigative networks. Often these threats and smears have revolved around journalists being portrayed as foreign mercenaries or anti-Serb traitors. In regards to freedom of assembly and the wave
Read more →NGOs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia have shown resilience under pressure by inventing new ways to generate funds, including hybrid for-profit and non-profit models, and creative partnerships. The pressure on non-governmental organizations and independent media in Eastern Europe and Central Asia has been devastating for many groups. Yet it has also proven the resilience
Read more →When space closes for labour rights defenders, the situation is far worse for those at the margins. Labour rights are human rights and must be protected. Labour Day, otherwise known as International Workers Day, is rooted in the activism of labour rights movements and is a product of organising by labour rights defenders. This activism
Read more →The “Envelope Affair” in Montenegro has triggered weeks of anti-Djukanovic protests, demanding the resignation of one of Europe’s longest-lasting leaders after his almost 30 years in power. The anti-government demonstrations came as similar protests were taking place in neighbouring Serbia and Albania where demonstrators are also seeking the ouster of leaders they accuse of autocratic
Read more →Active participation by CSOs is key to offering a comprehensive response to disinformation, says the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in its opinion Action Plan against Disinformation, adopted at its latest plenary session. Propping up the action plan to counter disinformation, presented by the Commission and the EU High Representative, EESC highlighted the fact
Read more →NGOs in Serbia have adopted a joint document aimed at preserving the civil society and its freedoms in the EU candidate country, after seeing a growing number of physical assaults on their activists and verbal abuse in pro-government media. The NGO sector also warned that Serbia’s EU accession process was not being used for essential reforms. The representatives
Read more →Governments in the Balkans are chipping away at transparency laws to make it harder for journalists and activists to hold power to account. According to an anti-corruption activist, access-to-information is often an extremely exhaustive and time-consuming process, especially when authorities are silent and avoid responding to requests. Read more here. Source: BIRN
Read more →Persons with disabilities are among the most excluded communities worldwide. The right to participate equally in political processes – to be voters, candidates, campaign staff, observers, political candidates and elected leaders – is especially important for persons with disabilities. Based on standards established in international commitments, these Guidelines to Promote the Political Participation of Persons
Read more →On March 11, World Movement for Democracy submitted a general comment on Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), outlining the rights of peaceful assembly and association established by international law and regional norms. The World Movement’s response focuses on the right of individuals and associations, including civil society activists
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