News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Short Description: Facing Facts is offering a three-week online course designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to understand and respond to hate speech. The course provides a deep dive into legal frameworks, practical strategies, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), with a focus on building collaborative and effective responses. Target Group:
Read more →In the opinion published following the Plenary Session 598, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is strongly advocating for institutionalized civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries. This call was made during its plenary session in mid-July 2025, where an Enlargement Forum also highlighted the role of social dialogue, civil society,
Read more →The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has updated its Guidance on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering measures to help countries and the private sector expand access to formal financial services while maintaining risk-based controls. The guidance links financial inclusion to effective detection of illicit activities, emphasizing that increased access improves transparency and law enforcement’s ability
Read more →Since 2014, the Spitzenkandidat system was introduced to boost democratic legitimacy by linking voters to the European Commission president’s selection through party lead candidates. Used for Juncker and von der Leyen, it has fallen short: rather than fostering debate or accountability, it created institutional confusion, strengthened the Commission politically, and weakened Parliament’s oversight—resulting in a
Read more →As digital threats and geopolitical tensions increase, cybersecurity is a key priority for the Western Balkans’ EU integration. The six countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—seek phased access to EU cybersecurity structures, starting with ENISA observer status. Currently, candidate countries have limited access, but the EU Cybersecurity Act revision offers a
Read more →The Report prepared by Metamorphosis outlines key digitalization and cybersecurity goals with a June 2025 deadline, and plans for 2026 and 2027. It highlights North Macedonia’s strategic roadmap toward EU integration, emphasizing reforms that affect EU funding and membership progress. After the 2022 Intergovernmental Conference, the country accelerated efforts, especially in digitalizing public administration to
Read more →On 19 June 2025, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted its first national Strategy for Creating an Enabling Environment for the Development of Civil Society 2025–2029, alongside an action plan for 2025–2026. The strategy sets four key goals: improving transparency and efficiency of public funding for CSOs, strengthening legal guarantees for CSO
Read more →A new BIRN analysis highlights persistent failures across the Balkans in implementing freedom of information (FOI) laws. While most countries in the region have adopted legal frameworks guaranteeing public access to information, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. Authorities often delay responses, deny requests without justification, or impose unreasonable fees, with little risk of sanctions. Oversight
Read more →Metamorphosis Foundation’s latest shadow report finds that media freedom in North Macedonia continues to face systemic threats. Journalists report persistent harassment, self-censorship due to politically motivated editorial pressure, and a lack of transparency in media ownership. Regulatory bodies remain weakly resourced and prone to political influence, and public service media are often used to disseminate
Read more →The European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) unveiled its latest flagship report, The Next Wave: How Religious Extremism Is Regaining Power, during a high-profile event held on 26 June 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The report analyzes the resurgence and transformation of anti-gender networks, focusing on how these groups have
Read more →The third Regional Report of the EU’s Assessment against the DG ENEST Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region 2021-2027 has been released. This annual report, compiled by the EU TACSO 3 team, provides a regional overview to spotlight notable positive and negative developments within Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro,
Read more →In a significant shift in parliamentary dynamics, the European Parliament on Thursday voted to establish a working group dedicated to scrutinizing EU funding of NGOs. This move, spearheaded by the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) and supported by right-wing factions including the ECR and far-right PfE, aims to increase oversight of civil society organizations, which
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