News and updates from BCSDN and the region
BCSDN member Partners Albania for Change and Development has released a report addressing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in Albania. The report reveals how SLAPPs undermine democratic values by targeting activists, civil society, and the media. It provides a clear analysis of SLAPPs, including their definition, the current legal framework, and their effects on
Read more →BCSDN member from Türkiye, TUSEV, together with STGM explored the impact of Turkish tax regulations on NGOs, offering examples from various countries, and suggesting reforms for NGO financial sustainability. The reports on “Tax Regulations Concerning Associations and Foundations,” “Taxation of Economic Enterprises”, and “Public Benefit and Tax Exemption Statuses” reveal that tax advantages for CSOs
Read more →The article highlights the shifting dynamics in the European Union’s enlargement strategy, with a focus on the Western Balkans. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has revitalized the EU’s commitment to enlargement, demonstrating a strategic imperative to integrate Eastern Europe trio and Western Balkan countries. While Ukraine’s accession has been expedited, the Western Balkans continue to
Read more →The report provided by our member FDSC, offers insights into the current state of NGO sector in Romania, detailing its role in social development, employment, and volunteer involvement. It examines the sector’s dynamics, capacity for public good, and historical context, including its evolution from communist restrictions to its current challenges amid populist and illiberal trends.
Read more →BCSDN provides an analysis of the 2024 EC Rule of Law (RoL) report, which, for the first time, includes accession countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia as the most advanced ones on the EU path. The report places these countries on equal footing with EU member states, reflecting their progress in EU integration and
Read more →The CSOs’ participants and activists of the EU Civil Society Forum for Western Balkans and Türkiye, including BCSDN representatives, delivered a joint declaration based on discussions about the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The declaration emphasizes the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as a significant opportunity for EU-compliant reforms and increased
Read more →BCSDN issued a press release detailing the main findings and recommendations of its latest report on the surge of Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in the Western Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia are among the top ten European countries for SLAPP cases, which erode basic freedoms and shrink civic space. These
Read more →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
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