News and updates from BCSDN and the region
In an era of shrinking civic space, CSOs need to build coalitions with other stakeholders to ensure broader support for what they aim to achieve and to promote civic space effectively. Partnering up with other stakeholders beyond our usual suspects, such as trade unions, religious communities, informal activists and groups, and businesses, seems more important
Read more →The High Judicial Council in Albania has issued a press release with its position on the obligations created by the Law “On the registration of non-profit organizations” which requires within 30 August 2021, the setting of the date for the functioning of the NPOs registration system. The Council could not make a decision regarding the
Read more →The Balkan Network for Local Democracy prepared three comparative studies were done that examine the level of citizen participation in decision-making locally within the WB6, under the work of the project “CSOs Networking for Better Local Democracy in the Balkans, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) trough the Regional CSDev Hub implemented
Read more →A two-day discussion on the role of civil society in the EU accession process was held online on 25 and 26 October, organized within the EU TACSO 3. During the first day of the conference, two main issues were discussed about the mechanisms for CSOs involvement in the overall EU accession process, and in the
Read more →Closely following the development of the IPA III Civil Society Facility 2021-2023 Multi-Beneficiary (Regional), BCSDN in cooperation with several CSOs and networks from the region prepared comments on the Action Document, presenting the views and positions of these organizations regarding the support to civil society in the IPA beneficiary countries. The comments highlight the lack
Read more →From 13-15 October, the 14th Black Sea NGO Forum took place in Bucharest, under the title “Strengthening the capacity of the CSOs in the Black Sea to Foster Regional Cooperation and Stability”, organized by Fond Romania. Focused on raising awareness about civil society challenges during the pandemic and to identify opportunities for further cooperation, the
Read more →Without substantial political and financial consequences from the EU towards the tendencies of democratic backsliding, the issue of democratic backsliding in the region will not be solved, states a Policy Paper published by Austrian Institute for International Affairs. According to researchers, previous enlargement rounds have shown that only a transatlantic coordinated approach can safeguard the
Read more →The EU remains the Western Balkans’ primary trading partner and investor. But failing to step up engagement and deliver on enlargement promises will come at a high cost and benefit the likes of Russia and China. In the article published under the section Judy Dempsey`s Strategic Europe, 10 eminent experts in the field of EU
Read more →Policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have greatly exacerbated national and global inequalities, and the “leave no one behind” commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains hollow. The dominant interests of rich countries, and corporate powers continue to dominate political decision-making. Given the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis and
Read more →The 8th EESC Western Balkans Civil Society Forum was organized in Skopje on 30 September and 1 October, bringing together in a hybrid event over 100 participants, including representatives of civil society, EU institutions, international organisations and governments of the region. The main topics were how to enhance the accession process, the contribution of CSOs
Read more →On September 22nd, our Executive Director and CPDE Regional Coordinator for Europe, Ms. Biljana Spasovska provided an overview of civic space and human rights from the Balkans and the panel discussion “Big Bang of digital civic space”, organized as a part of the Global People’s Assembly, Forus, CIVICUS and CPDE.During the event that open forum
Read more →25 virtual meetings promoted by CSOs from all over the world will reflect on the international challenges, commitments and G20’s duties in light of human rights. On 6 October, in the C20 main plenary, the virtual meeting “Civic Space Restrictions in the Era of COVID: Why Is Democracy at Risk?” will be organized, aiming to
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