News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The trend of closing civic space crystallised at the beginning of this decade. In response, concerned international actors- including various bilateral aid agencies, foreign ministries, private foundations and international nongovernmental organisations- are working to address this problem. They have carried out many diagnostic efforts and gained greater knowledge of the issue. They have initiated a
Read more →In response to global challenges, heads of state and government of the United Nations’ members adopted in 2015 the declaration on ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. This chapter explores the human and fundamental rights dimensions of two of the 2030 Agenda’s 17 SDGs in Member States’ and the EU’s internal policies.
Read more →The GlobalFocus Center project has carried out an analysis of risks and vulnerabilities in the six Western Balkans countries, to assess permeability to malign influence (i.e. ethnic divisions, group fears, economic disparities, administrations’ disfunctionality and corruption etc.). Through identifying context-specific interests of state and nonstate propaganda/ pressure and pinpointing the auspicious conditions and dissemination channels, concrete case studies deconstruct the modus operandi
Read more →The report, based on a database complied by OpenDemocracy, found that “countries across Europe have criminalised acts that facilitate illegal immigration”. While some laws are said to be intended to deter human smugglers they are also being used to target “humanitarian actors, including search and rescue boat crews and volunteer lifeguards”. As many as 250 people across
Read more →How do you have to plan and prepare to monitor an assembly? What do you need to observe when you are there? What do you do with the information you gather through first-hand observation? How do you deal with the media? This Briefer on Monitoring Public Assemblies gives a quick rundown of principles and practices human rights
Read more →As previously covered in the CIVICUS Monitor, concerns have been rising over a perceived increase in state affiliated civil society in Serbia. Most worryingly, these groups have been shown to play a role in smearing and harassing independent civil society groups that are critical of the government. On the other hand, other civil society groups close to the security
Read more →Updated on 6 May 2019: On July 18, 2018, the Turkish government lifted the nationwide state of emergency that was imposed after a failed coup attempt on July 20, 2016. The state of relations between civil society and the government deteriorated throughout 2016-2018. In the new system of government, which replaced a parliamentary system, the
Read more →In recent years, combined with existing threats, the rise of right-wing and nationalist populism across the world has led to an increasing number of governments implementing repressive measures against the space for civil society (civic space), particularly affecting women human rights defenders (WHRDs). This policy brief responds to this context and highlights how the participation
Read more →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 →