News and updates from BCSDN and the region
BCSDN and its members from the Western Balkans and Turkey gathered in Berlin for the Monitoring Matrix Revision Workshop from 27-29 March. The workshop aimed to analyze ten years of Monitoring Matrix (MM) implementation, reflect on key challenges and identify areas for improvement. Participants also tested the new MM website, which presents the comprehensive tool
Read more →Ms. Maja Stojanovic and Ms. Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska have been elected to join the BCSDN board with immediate effect. Ms. Maja Stojanovic, Executive Director of Civic Initiatives, has over 15 years of experience in civil society and brings expertise in advocacy, policy analysis, and project management to the BCSDN board. Ms. Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska, Project
Read more →BCSDN has welcomed the recommendations made by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding the protection of fundamental rights and civic space. The recommendations call for creating an enabling environment for civil society, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, and supporting the development of a vibrant and pluralistic civil society. BCSDN praised the efforts
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) held an All-Country Meeting in Paris to discuss effective country work and gather inputs for its new Strategic Plan. Participants explored a range of topics related to civic space advocacy and CSO representation in global forums. The meeting highlighted the importance of effective country and regional work, as
Read more →The Civicus Monitor 2022 provides an overview of the state of civic freedoms and democratic practices in countries worldwide. The report presents the significant declines in civic space in many countries, with governments imposing restrictions on CSOs, media outlets, and freedom of assembly. The COVID-19 pandemic has been used as a pretext for increased surveillance
Read more →In its recent article, LevizAlbania expressed support for efforts to protect the environment in Albania. The article underscores the significance of safeguarding the environment to achieve sustainable development and guarantee the well-being of future generations. LevizAlbania advocates for developing effective policies and regulations to promote environmental protection and believes that the government plays a crucial
Read more →BCSDN has been actively advocating for civil society empowerment in the Western Balkans and the EU through various initiatives in Brussels. In March 2023, BCSDN participated in the Civil Society Days 2023 organized by the European Economic and Social Committee to showcase their work in promoting civil society and citizen participation in the region while
Read more →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
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