News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: Civil society organisations, academics, legal experts, policymakers, and EU citizens interested in democracy, fundamental rights, and rule of law Location: Online (EU Commission portal) Short description: The European Commission invites stakeholders to provide feedback on the upcoming European Democracy Shield, a new initiative aimed at addressing the most serious risks to democracy in
Read more →Target group: CSOs working on human rights, trade unions, faith-based actors, academic and social organisations Countries: EU Member States and selected candidate countries Short Description: The EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) is conducting its annual consultation to gather input from civil society organisations working on human rights. Covering experiences throughout 2024, the survey explores conditions
Read more →Target group: CSOs, activists, legal experts, and EU-level stakeholders concerned with civic freedoms Countries: EU Member States Short Description: Civil society across Europe is increasingly under pressure, with shrinking space for protest, association, and expression. In response, nine European organisations have launched the Early Warning and Alerts System as part of the MACS project. This
Read more →Target group: lawyers, in-house counsel, bar associations, representatives of civil society and academia Countries: Global Short Description: A global forum to explore innovative solutions, collaborate, and move the dial on access to justice, discussing how to best use pro bono and public interest lawyering to support nonprofit and civic organizations, and build more just, sustainable
Read more →Target group: Grantmaking organisations and impact funders in Europe Countries: Europe-wide Short Description: The survey explores the concept of catalytic grantmaking—strategic, non-repayable support to organisations tackling social and environmental challenges that are not yet investment-ready. It aims to highlight the role of such grantmakers in de-risking early-stage solutions, attracting follow-on funding, and advancing the impact
Read more →Target group: Representatives of CSOs, associations, and foundations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Countries: BiH Short Description: BCSDN member CPCD is hosting an emergency edition of CIVILKA, “Operation Resistance,” to address urgent challenges facing civil society in BiH. This hybrid event (online & in-person in Sarajevo) will take place on March 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Read more →Target group: CSOs, government representatives, media professionals, and legal experts working on civic space and media freedom. Countries: EU member states and broader European countries affected by SLAPPs. Short Description: A practical webinar exploring how national OGP processes can advance media freedom and civic space through legislative measures to counter SLAPPs. The event will discuss
Read more →Target group: Journalists from Central and South Eastern Europe. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Short Description: The Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, organized by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), is awarding ten fellowships to journalists with compelling story ideas that require on-the-ground reporting. The program emphasizes
Read more →Target group: Applicants must be residents of the Western Balkans, have at least two years of journalism experience (including freelancers), and show strong motivation to join the training. Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The goal of the regional training camp is to equip journalists with specialized knowledge that enables them to protect themselves and their
Read more →Target group: 25-35 years old applicants (with exceptions possible) and have at least three years of experience in human rights advocacy, activism, community organizing, or social entrepreneurship. They should demonstrate engagement in Gender Justice or related fields and must be proficient in English. Countries: worldwide Short Description: Global Fellows in Courage (GFiC) is a 6-month
Read more →Target group: Legally established organizations, including micro-enterprises, SMEs, CSOs, schools, and universities, working on youth-focused research and innovation initiatives in the Western Balkans. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia Short Description: The Western Balkans R&I Youth Awards honor initiatives that engaged youth (15-29) in research and innovation from 2020 to
Read more →Target group: Mid-career professionals in cyber security or cyber policy Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia Short Description: A ten-week fellowship hosted by Cranfield University, focused on cyber security, cyber policy, and national security, with a focus on the Western Balkans. It covers cyber threats, cyber-crime, law enforcement concerns, and the
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