What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

European Parliament Backs Calls to Protect Albania’s Protected Areas

The “Flamingo Revolution” has become one of Albania’s most prominent environmental civic movements, driven by concerns over legislative changes that weaken protections for protected areas and enable large-scale tourism and infrastructure developments. Led by environmental organisations and supported by citizens nationwide, the campaign has focused on safeguarding the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area, one of the Mediterranean’s

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Eurobarometer 2026 Reveals Renewed Support for EU Membership in North Macedonia Amid Persistent Distrust in the Accession Process

Eurothink – Centre for European Strategies has published the 2026 edition of its Eurobarometer survey, examining citizens’ perceptions of democracy, EU integration, foreign policy, public institutions and information sources in North Macedonia. The findings show a moderate recovery in support for EU membership, with 58% of respondents viewing accession as beneficial and 66% considering the

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BCSDN Welcomes TÜSEV Secretary General Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board

BCSDN has welcomed Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board, further strengthening the network’s regional perspective and expertise in civic space, democracy, and civil society development. As Secretary General of TÜSEV, Enlargement Candidate Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and a member of the European Civic Forum (ECF), Güneş brings extensive experience in

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Albania: Growing Public Opposition to Development Plans in Vjosa–Narta Protected Area

Thousands of citizens, environmental organisations, and local activists have protested against planned tourism developments in Albania’s Vjosa–Narta protected area, citing concerns over potential impacts on one of the country’s most important coastal ecosystems and habitats for migratory birds, flamingos, sea turtles, and other protected species. More than 98,000 people have signed a public petition calling

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EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference in Vienna Focused on Trust, Civic Engagement and the Future of EU Enlargement

EESC convened the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference in Vienna on 29 May under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Bringing together civil society representatives, policymakers, social partners, EU institutions, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and EU Member States, the event focused on how to strengthen

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Five EU Members Propose New Accession Treaty Template with Stronger Rule of Law Safeguards

A non-paper signed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg proposes a general template for future accession treaties to ensure that forthcoming EU enlargements strengthen rather than strain the Union. The document calls for enhanced safeguards in the rule of law, including a binding non-regression clause and an extended safeguard clause covering democratic principles

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EU–Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate

BiEPAG published an analysis of the 2026 EU–Western Balkans Summit, examining the implications of the new Merz–Macron proposal on gradual integration and the future of EU enlargement. The analysis explores opportunities for deeper integration of candidate countries into EU policies and the Single Market before full membership, while also warning against rewarding limited reforms and

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Serbia’s Students Are Not Giving Up: When Accountability Meets Resistance

What began as a reaction to the Novi Sad railway station tragedy has evolved into one of Serbia’s largest civic mobilisations in recent history. Led by students and supported by citizens, workers, academics, farmers, and trade unions, the movement has grown into a broader call for accountability, institutional responsibility, transparent governance, and democratic renewal. At

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Trust and Partnership at the Heart of EU Enlargement: BCSDN Brings Civil Society Priorities to High-Level EESC Conference

BCSDN participated in the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference organised by the EESC in Vienna under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Held ahead of the upcoming EU–Western Balkans Summit, the conference brought together representatives of EU institutions, governments, CSOs, and policy experts to discuss enlargement, democratic resilience,

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Hajde4EU Launches 2025 Assessment of EU Support to Civil Society

CSOs across the Western Balkans and Türkiye are invited to contribute to the 2025 assessment of the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society 2021–2027, conducted by Hajde4EU on behalf of the European Commission (DG ENEST). The survey explores key issues affecting civil society, including civic space, legal frameworks, public funding, and CSO

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