News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The 2024 Media Landscape Brief, delivered by SCiDEV provides insights into media freedom developments from June and July in Albania. A new Special Parliamentary Committee has been established to combat disinformation and foreign interference, but concerns arose over its initial exclusion of the opposition. The Committee has invited a broad range of stakeholders for engagement,
Read more →On 2 July, BCSDN hosted a virtual event to launch the first regional report on SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) in the Western Balkans. Around 100 participants, including activists, journalists, and legal experts discussed the findings. The report and national SLAPPs examples, presented by BCSDN EO and members’ representatives revealed a rise in SLAPP
Read more →The annual Fundamental Rights Report, published by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) highlights crises in 2023 that undermined fundamental rights across Europe. It addresses climate change, digitalisation, and rising intolerance, including increased racism and hate crimes following recent global conflicts. The report explores three main issues: the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on poverty, the
Read more →Open Gov Week 2024 organized by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) was held from 27 to 31 May. It celebrated open government principles across Europe. This year’s European activities emphasized transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, featuring over 110 events across the continent. Key highlights from Europe included the launch of new digital platforms for public
Read more →In its latest discussion paper, the European Policy Centre (EPC) proposes eight structural innovations to enhance EU governance. The paper suggests empowering the European Commission for more decisive action and improving inter-institutional relations. Emphasizing civil society and citizen participation, the paper recommends novel mechanisms, including “big tent” fora every five years for drafting the EU
Read more →The EU’s strategic agenda for 2024-2029 prioritizes further enlargement, a new emphasis compared to previous plans. Adopted by the European Council, the agenda introduces the concept of “gradual integration” for future EU members, aiming for reforms and progress in parallel. While experts welcome the focus on enlargement, some critics argue that the term “gradual integration”
Read more →Civic space in the Western Balkans is shrinking, with activists and journalists facing SLAPP suits, media restrictions, and public smear campaigns. We recognize SLAPPs as a crucial topic related to one of the key standards for ensuring an enabling environment for civil society in WBT – the legal guarantees and respect of the fundamental freedoms
Read more →On 24-25 June, the Point 12 Conference in Sarajevo brought together global activists, journalists, academics, and civil society leaders. Organized by CA “Why not” with ACTION SEE and SEE Check networks, the event focused on democracy threats worldwide, media integrity, fact-checking, and new technologies to surpass attacks. BCSDN Executive Director Ms. Biljana Spasovska presented the
Read more →On 11-12 June, the International Conference on Freedom of Association took place in Istanbul, organized by BCSDN member TÜSEV and STGM. Experts from Turkey, Europe, the Balkans, and the USA discussed global laws affecting civic space and civil society’s responses to evolving challenges. During the session “Global Civil Society Agenda and the Role of International
Read more →On 11-13 June in Belgrade, EU TACSO 3 organized the EU Civil Society Forum for the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The event emphasized the need for clear mechanisms for civil society involvement in the Growth Plan, addressing challenges in the enabling environment, diversifying funding, fostering partnerships, and direct engagement with constituencies. BCSDN members’ representatives, including
Read more →The new thematic study: “Civil society support to refugees and other migrants in Europe: the need to end the backlash on civil society space” delivered by the Expert Council on NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs examines how European civil society, particularly NGOs and solidarity networks supporting refugees and migrants, face increasing legal and
Read more →This manual aims to foster a culture of civil dialogue among EU public officials by offering trainers exercises to raise awareness and implement principles of engagement and accessibility in EU policymaking. Referencing the Better Regulation Toolbox, particularly Chapter 7 on Stakeholder Consultation, the training operationalizes key concepts and reflects on civil society participation needs. It
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