News and updates from BCSDN and the region
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 →North Macedonia’s recent parliamentary and presidential elections ushered in a return of the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE party, signaling a potential shift away from EU integration efforts. VMRO-DPMNE, known for its nationalist stance and attacks on civil society during past governance, secured victories in the last elections. The party capitalized on public frustration over slow EU negotiations,
Read more →A recent IRI poll reveals that while a majority in Western Balkan countries would vote for EU membership, significant portions doubt the EU’s sincerity in offering it. In North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 68% would vote for EU accession, 79% in Montenegro, 89% in Kosovo, and 92% in Albania. Serbia stands out as more
Read more →On May 28-29, BCSDN organized the SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) Multistakeholder Workshop in Tirana, bringing together CSO representatives, activists, journalists, media workers, and legal experts from the Western Balkans and EU. The event focused on addressing SLAPP threats to freedom of expression and public participation, sharing personal experiences, and discussing regional research, legal
Read more →The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference, held on 24 May in Ljubljana, brought together EESC members, Slovenian officials, and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans, including BCSDN representatives. The event facilitated exchanges on necessary reforms in the Western Balkans and the EU to uphold the enlargement policy as a key EU success. Discussions
Read more →The European Civic Forum’s 2024 Civic Space report highlights concerning trends in civic freedoms across the EU and Western Balkans. Despite EU commitments to democracy, there is a decline in civic space, with restrictions on protests and civil society initiatives. The report notes challenges such as legal harassment, funding limitations, and a lack of dialogue
Read more →The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association is calling for inputs on stigmatizing narratives and their impact on these rights. This input will inform the thematic report to the UN General Assembly’s 79th session. The report aims to analyze the spread of negative narratives against civil society and
Read more →The 2024 EU Elections Manifesto outlines six progressive proposals aimed at facilitating a just transition towards a more equitable and sustainable future in Europe. It emphasizes the critical point at which Europe finds itself, advocating for transformative policies to address ongoing crises in climate, health, socio-economic inequality, and migration. Key proposals include prioritizing a socially
Read more →The European Commission is preparing rule of law reports for EU member and candidate countries, set to be published on 3 July, though this date may change. The reports will use the same methodology for both groups to provide a clear comparison. President Ursula von der Leyen announced this initiative to help candidate countries progress
Read more →The Council of the European Union has approved a Growth Plan for the Western Balkans (2024-2027), offering up to 2 billion EUR in grants and 4 billion EUR in loans. Beneficiaries must meet preconditions like democratic governance, free media, rule of law, and alignment with EU foreign policy, including measures against Russia. They must submit
Read more →The European Commission has moved ahead with the “Directive on Transparency of Interest Representation on Behalf of Third Countries” despite fierce opposition from European civil society since its unveiling in 2023. Despite claims that it aims to increase transparency, critics argue it resembles foreign agent laws seen elsewhere, posing a threat to civil society and the media
Read more →On 11-12 June, in Istanbul, Turkey, TUSEV and STGM, with EU support, will organize the International Conference on Freedom of Association “Strong Civil Society”. Convening CSOs from Türkiye and abroad, the Conference aims to address challenges to civic space and strengthen NGOs as pillars of democracy. Discussions will highlight innovative strategies to safeguard human rights
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