News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Short Description: BIRN invites applications for the Internet Freedom Meet 2025 (IFM 2025), taking place in Pristina, Kosovo. Now in its third edition, IFM brings together experts, activists, and professionals to explore key issues in digital rights and internet freedoms across the Western Balkans. Target Group: Digital rights activists, tech enthusiasts, academics, journalists, and engaged
Read more →Short Description: Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Serbia, invites emerging youth leaders to the BOLD25 Balkan Regional Youth Leadership Workshop. This programme combines an immersive in-person experience with an online community of practice, equipping participants with skills in leadership, community engagement, project development, and cross-cultural collaboration. Target
Read more →Short Description: In a time when civic action faces growing pressures, this session explores what decolonised wellbeing truly means—moving beyond dominant frameworks to embrace indigenous, spiritual, and collective approaches to healing and resilience. Target Group: Activists, engaged citizens, and civil society participants who are interested in exploring wellbeing, resilience, and decolonised approaches to healing. Countries:
Read more →Short Description: The Regional Youth Leadership Mobility Programme invites young professionals, researchers, and activists from Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia to join a year-long programme combining mentorship, training, regional mobility, and cross-border policy advocacy. Target Group: Young professionals, researchers, and activists aged 21–30 with citizenship and residency in Albania, North Macedonia, or Serbia, including Master’s
Read more →Short Description: Global Perspectives 2025, the Centre’s annual flagship conference, will bring together civil society leaders, experts, and practitioners from around the world to explore how the sector can remain resilient, collaborative, and innovative in times of crisis. Target Group: Civil society leaders, activists, researchers, donors, and practitioners interested in collaboration, innovation, and civic resilience.
Read more →Short Description: A cross-sectoral seminar exploring the role of youth work and the Erasmus+ programme in boosting employability, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation. The event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss generational change, the future of work, and innovative approaches to youth work. Target Group: 40 participants with backgrounds in civil society, public institutions,
Read more →Short Description: The 2025 RECAS Regional Fellowship offers the opportunity to conduct research across Southeast Europe on youth agency and democratic innovation. The program includes fieldwork, student workshops, a Policy Hackathon, and regional collaboration to explore how young people imagine and enact democratic futures amid structural and geopolitical challenges. Target Group: PhD holders or advanced
Read more →Short Description: The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) invites innovators from the Western Balkans to apply for the 4th edition of the Butterfly Innovation Award, celebrating impactful, scalable, market-based solutions from the region. The six most successful ideas – one per category – will receive up to 5,000 EUR each. Target Group: Young individuals or teams
Read more →Short Description: Join this interactive webinar on 14 October to explore how AI impacts democracy. Experts will discuss ways to embed democratic principles into AI governance and assess whether the EU’s new legal frameworks adequately protect democratic institutions and rights. Target Group: Researchers, policymakers, civil society actors, technologists, and democracy advocates interested in AI governance.
Read more →Short Description: Join URBACT at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 in Brussels or online. The sessions will explore how EU-funded programmes foster gender equality, enhance urban resilience, and strengthen security cooperation across Europe. Target Group: City and regional officials, urban practitioners, researchers, and individuals interested in EU-funded urban development and policy initiatives.
Read more →Short Description: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) invite undergraduate and graduate students from the Western Balkans to apply for the youth exchange program Western Balkans meet Japan: A Bridge into the Future. Target Group: Undergraduate and graduate students (aged 20+) from WB6, with good command
Read more →Short Description: Join this 2-hour training designed for staff and activists from NGOs, unions, electoral campaigns, and grassroots movements. Learn practical strategies to counter the Far Right’s online influence, including their top 15 messaging and digital tactics, and discover research-backed approaches to strengthen your movement. Target Group: Staff and activists with non-profits, NGOs, unions, and
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