News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Freedom House’s annual report, “Freedom in the World,” identifies an ongoing trend of democratic backsliding worldwide, with authoritarian regimes expanding their influence and eroding political freedoms. The report details the decline in political rights and civil liberties in 68 countries, as well as the continued spread of digital repression and disinformation. It reports that the
Read more →A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the challenges and opportunities for education in a post-COVID world. The report, titled “Education Policy Outlook 2022: Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” examines how the pandemic has affected education systems worldwide and identifies key policy responses to support recovery and resilience. The
Read more →In the article published by EuronewsRaffaella Bolini and Jean-Marc Roirant, the Co-Presidents of the European Civic Forum – a network of civil society organizations that seeks to promote and defend democracy, human rights, and social justice in Europe, argue that while foreign interference is a concern, the biggest threat to democracy comes from within. They
Read more →In partnership with the Dutch foundation Mama Cash and the International Development Fund, the Bulgarian Fund for Women has announced an investment of nearly 2.8 million EUR in CSOs in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Albania. The funding will support initiatives focused on feminist activism, women’s rights, and gender equality. The announcement came on International Women’s
Read more →On 1-3 March, BCSDN is organizing a workshop and advocacy event in Brussels. The first meeting, co-organized and hosted by the EU DG Near, will brief the EC representatives about the civil society state of play in the Western Balkans and Türkiye and discuss with leading CSOs from the region how the EU could support
Read more →The European Policy Centre (EPC) has published a paper on the future of the EU’s Cohesion Policy. The document analyzes the policy’s challenges, including the rise of populism and nationalism, the impact of Brexit, and the need to address new challenges such as climate change and digitalization. It argues that Cohesion Policy should be modernized
Read more →The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has published a report on how to engage with authoritarian states. The report suggests that traditional approaches to promoting democracy and human rights have proven ineffective in countries where authoritarian regimes are in power. It recommends new approaches focusing on strengthening civil society, promoting human rights, and supporting democratic
Read more →The article published on the EU Observer discusses the ongoing democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland, and how the EU should respond to this situation, arguing that the Union must take a more proactive approach to defend democratic values within its member states, instead of simply resorting to sanctions or financial penalties. It suggests that
Read more →The article titled “When human rights go backwards: lessons for the 21st century” discusses how, despite progress in the 20th century, human rights have recently faced setbacks around the world. It argues that these regressions are often a result of the rise of authoritarianism and the disregard for human rights principles. The article also highlights
Read more →The European Democracy Support Annual Review 2022, showcases how countries responded to protecting and supporting democracy in this new context. Providing an overview of the ways in which the new global context changed European democracy support policies and how they evolved both at the EU and national levels, the report focuses on the specific aspects
Read more →With sadness and sympathy, we at the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) extend our deepest condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake that recently shook Turkey and Syria. Our hearts are with those who have lost their lives or loved ones and those whose homes were taken away in the instant tragedy. Following
Read more →At the beginning of February, European Parliament Rapporteurs for Kosovo and Serbia, Viola von Cramon and Vladimir Bilčik, presented a draft report on Kosovo to EP Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). The draft document gives “full support to the EU’s special representative for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo; invites Kosovo and Serbia to engage in
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