News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A new draft law submitted to the Hungarian Parliament has raised concerns among civil society and media watchdogs. The proposal seeks to require organisations and media outlets receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “foreign-funded,” a move critics fear could stigmatise independent voices and limit public trust. The law would
Read more →In response to the growing political tensions in Serbia, the European Union has issued a strong call for restraint and constructive dialogue. Concerns were raised regarding the initiation of criminal proceedings against the Rector of the University of Belgrade, as well as the recent blockade of the public broadcaster RTS. Emphasis was placed on the
Read more →BCSDN has opened applications for its first Civic Space Hackathon, set to take place in Skopje on 17–18 June 2025. Under the slogan “Innovate for Impact,” the event invites interdisciplinary teams from NGOs and academic institutions across the Western Balkans to develop bold, practical solutions to pressing civic space challenges, including disinformation, smear campaigns, and
Read more →On 29 April, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued an interim measure instructing the Serbian Government to prevent any future use of sonic devices for crowd control purposes. The ruling follows allegations of acoustic weapons being used during the March 15 protest in Belgrade, where participants reported panic, injuries, and severe physical and
Read more →A common civil society position paper on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) has been published by Civil Society Europe (CSE), in collaboration with a broad coalition of CSOs. In the document, an open and rights-based approach to the next EU budget is advocated, with emphasis placed on safeguarding democracy, fundamental rights, social inclusion, and
Read more →On 8 April the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) held its annual in-person strategy meeting in Brussels, bringing together legal experts and civil society organisations from across Europe. The meeting focused on assessing progress in tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) over the past year, setting priorities for 2025, and discussing the implementation
Read more →A coordinated statement by over 570 civil society organisations from all EU Member States and beyond, including BCSDN, responds to recent attacks from certain MEPs—primarily from the European People’s Party and far-right groups—aimed at delegitimising CSO advocacy in EU institutions. The narrative, amplified in some media, misrepresents how CSOs are funded and operate, while ignoring
Read more →Following the March 15 protest in Belgrade, CSOs have filed a criminal complaint for terrorism after an unidentified sonic device disrupted the peaceful gathering during a 15-minute silence. The incident that triggered panic, a stampede, and numerous injuries among the hundreds of thousands present. Witnesses described a deafening sound similar to a low-flying aircraft, often
Read more →In a milestone for Albania’s EU integration process, Juliana Hoxha, Director of Partners Albania for Change and Development, has been elected Co-Chair of the EU–Albania Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) for a three-year mandate. The JCC is a formal body established under the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement and brings together representatives from Albanian
Read more →North Macedonia has become the first country to receive pre-financing under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, securing a total of €52.2 million to kickstart reforms outlined in its approved Reform Agenda. Of this amount, €24.5 million will be channelled directly into the state budget to support priority reforms, while €28 million will
Read more →Following one of the largest civic mobilizations in Serbia’s recent history, marked by a worrying pattern of state violence and intimidation, BCSDN reiterates its condemnation of the systematic pressure of Serbia’s civil society and calls for robust EU action to protect civic space. The 15 March protest in Belgrade, sparked by the fatal infrastructure collapse
Read more →The arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and key opposition figures has sparked one of the largest protest waves in Turkey in recent years, marking a dangerous turn toward authoritarianism. The move, seen as an attempt by President Erdoğan to eliminate his strongest rival ahead of the 2028 elections, involved politicised judicial action and media
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