News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Freedom House Nations in Transit 2023 report reveals that democratic institutions in the Western Balkans continued to stagnate in 2022. The slight improvements in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia were balanced by declines in Montenegro and BiH, while Serbia’s score remained unchanged. The EU has granted BiH candidate status while Kosovo has submitted their
Read more →OECD Civic Space Scan is a qualitative analysis of the laws, policies, institutions, and practices that support civic space in OECD member and partner countries. Designed to protect fundamental freedoms and promote good practice, the scan is based on tailored, timely, and actionable recommendations, assisting the governments’ reactions to ongoing challenges and opportunities in protecting
Read more →BCSDN strongly condemns the growing trend of foreign agents registration acts (FARA) in the Balkan region, which pose a significant risk to independent CSOs. Recent developments in Republika Srpska and Bulgaria demonstrate a concerning pattern of restrictive legislation that could stifle CSOs’ ability to operate freely. These laws, framed as measures to enhance transparency and
Read more →The State of Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law 2023 Annual Report by the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe highlights the challenges facing democratic societies worldwide. The report identifies the threats to democracy, including the erosion of human rights, the rise of populism, and the weakening of democratic institutions. It also highlights
Read more →The Liberties Media Freedom Report for 2023 reveals a disturbing trend of declining media freedom worldwide. The report, which covers 200 countries, identifies government repression, censorship, and physical attacks on journalists as the primary factors contributing to the decline. The report also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on media freedom, with many governments
Read more →The article, published by the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, discusses the challenges and opportunities the Western Balkans region faces in its pursuit of EU accession. The region, has been hit by a series of crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, Russian aggression against Ukraine, rising inflation, and an energy crisis. The article examines specific
Read more →The Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” Skopje (IDSCS) has released a policy brief on the importance of crisis prevention and critical infrastructure in the Western Balkans. The brief highlights the vulnerabilities of the region’s critical infrastructure, such as energy and transportation systems, to natural disasters and cyber-attacks. It calls for greater cooperation and coordination among
Read more →BCSDN and the ECNL organized a regional workshop on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) in Skopje. The workshop brought together participants from civil society organizations, government agencies, and international organizations, with the aim of promoting multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation to develop effective policies and regulations that protect civic space while combating
Read more →BCSDN held its annual strategic meeting in Berovo, North Macedonia, from April 23 to 25. Representatives from member organizations and Executive Office staff attended the meeting, which aimed to align the network’s objectives and establish a shared impact vision. The meeting provided an opportunity for members to reflect on past experiences and gain a greater
Read more →The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an ambitious plan to address global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and inequality. However, achieving these goals will require active participation from citizens worldwide. The article highlights the importance of civic participation in driving progress towards the SDGs. Through initiatives such as community-driven development, participatory
Read more →BCSDN member the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) has awarded the Democracy Award 2022 to Sebahate Hajdini Beqiri and Lend Mustafa for their contributions to the promotion of democracy and human rights in Kosovo. Sebahate Hajdini Beqiri is a journalist who has been involved in investigative journalism for over a decade, exposing corruption and promoting
Read more →The Center for the Study of Democracy published a report titled “Breaking the Code: Russian and Chinese Disinformation and Illicit Financial Flows in Southeast Europe.” The report highlights the methods and strategies used by Russia and China to spread disinformation and to conduct illicit financial activities in Southeast Europe. It also provides recommendations for policymakers
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