What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Civil Society Speaks Up: CSE’s Input to the Commission’s Call for Evidence on Better Regulation

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,

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Defending Equality in an Age of Democratic Decline: Rethinking the EU Gender Equality Strategy

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

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NGO Concerns Over the Growing Use of AI for Transnational Repression

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

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EP Draft Reports on Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia Highlight Need for Rule of Law Reforms for EU Accession

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

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Serbia: Analysis Raises Transparency Concerns Over Allocation of Public Funds to Civil Society

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

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North Macedonia: Appeals Court Upholds Defamation Ruling Against IRL Journalists in Case Raising SLAPP Concerns

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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Privacy Concerns after US report exposes EU officials and NGO staff

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

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Shaping the Future of Macedonian Civil Society: Public Consultations on New CSO Law Underway

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

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