What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Regional Event on CSO-Private Sector Cooperation: Shared Civic Space as Shared Responsibility

On 3 March, BCSDN organized its first public workshop on the topic of CSO – private sector engagement and inter-sectoral partnerships, within the scope of the activities with the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE). The online regional event titled “Unusual Allyship for Common Good: CSO – Private Sector Cooperation” discussed good practices and successful

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CSOs Globally Expressing Support for Ukraine

As the conflict in Ukraine rages on, the Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) and CIVICUS have publicly expressed solidarity statements for CIVICUS members and civil society in Ukraine in which we highlight the actions that have been undertaken by civil society and others in response to the conflict. The statement condemns Russia’s aggression and

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Balkan Countries Brace for Ukrainian War Refugees

Western Balkan countries are preparing for a potential wave of refugees from Ukraine, as Russia’s military offensive in the country intensifies. Officials in Montenegro are stating they are ready for large numbers of refugees and have prepared the infrastructure for their arrival, while Kosovo`s parliament has passed a resolution for coordination actions with international partners,

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Joint Declaration for Constitutional Amendments Co-Signed in BiH

Representatives from CSOs, political parties, the academic community, and appellants, have initiated and published mutual Declaration on Constitutional and Other Reforms of BiH on the Road to the EU and NATO. In the published public statement the co-signees pledge within the framework of its activities in public, as well as through the institutions of Bosnia

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The Future Of the Western Balkans: Five Scenarios for 2030

The Visegrad Insight has published the report — The Future Of the Western Balkans: Five Scenarios for 2030 — with a series of scenario-building workshops, nobody could imagine how dramatically the situation in Europe would change in a matter of only several months. The focus of the report is the Western Balkans region that includes

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CSOs Reacting to the Events in Ukraine and Supporting Ukrainians

Following the latest event in Ukraine and the the unenviable situation in which the Ukrainians were brought to the end of last week, CSOs, CSOs associations and other formations of civic assembly, various stakeholders acting in the civic space have taken a stand regarding the developments. The VB Platform and the members, many of which are

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Unusual Allyships for Common Good: CSO – Private Sector Cooperation (Regional Online Workshop, 3 March)

This Thursday (3 March) BCSDN is organizing an event aimed to re-think our approaches for further and more effective empowerment of civil society. By sharing experiences of successful CSO-private sector partnerships, the aim of this regional workshop is to serve as inspiration to other CSOs for initiating such partnerships that go beyond mobilization of resources

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Regional Forum “COVID-19 Impact on the Economy with Special Focus on Social Economy”

The regional Forum has been conducted within the framework of the project “Fostering regional cooperation and policy responses in time of crisis” implemented by five BCSDN member organizations: Albania for Change and Development, Macedonian Center for International Cooperation, Center for Civic Initiatives, Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisations, Civic Initiatives, and Kosovar Civil Society Foundation.

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Economist Democracy Index 2021: North Macedonia and Montenegro Upgraded to “Flawed Democracies”

According to Economist`s Democracy Index 2021 – an index that measures the state of democracy based on the electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties, Montenegro and North Macedonia have transitioned from hybrid regimes to flawed democracies. Although all the counties in the region are noting slight

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Representation and Participation: Two Faces of a Strong Democracy

After the Conference on the Future of Europe, in a recently published article, the European Civic Forum amplifies some key takeaways from the citizen’s panels, namely that the EU must change to deliver social, economic, environmental, and democratic integration. Advocating for people-centered and people-powered policymaking, the article seeks fulfillment of the requirements for the institutions

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