What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Albania: CSOs Open Letter on Assessing the 2019–2023 Roadmap and Drafting the 2024–2027 Roadmap for Civil Society Development

In a letter to the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albanian CSOs, including BCSDN member Partners Albania for Change and Development, raise concerns over the lack of transparency in assessing the 2019–2023 Roadmap and drafting the 2024–2027 framework. The letter highlights that, despite the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for civil society,

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Serbia: Mass Protests, Political Turmoil, and Demands for Government Accountability

The Novi Sad railway tragedy in November, which claimed 15 lives, has triggered Serbia’s largest protests since 2000. What began as outrage over safety failures quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding justice, electoral reform, and increased education funding, with universities closed for months. BCSDN member Civic Initiatives and other CSOs have severed ties with

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North Macedonia: Country Consultations on IPA III Civil Society Facility & Media Support Call (2024–2025)

The European Union Delegation in North Macedonia has launched consultations with civil society and other stakeholders to define priority topics for the upcoming calls for proposals under the IPA III Civil Society and Media Support Instrument for 2024-2025. The calls for proposals will align with the EU’s strategic approach for the region and focus on

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BiH: Federation Parliament Adopts Domestic Violence Law, Femicide Not on Agenda

Bosnia’s Federation House of Representatives unanimously adopted a new Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and Violence against Women. The law strengthens police powers, allowing them to intervene swiftly, detain suspects for 48 hours, and use electronic monitoring devices on offenders with restraining orders. This law aims to align with the Council of Europe’s Convention

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Montenegro: Students to Block Roads, Demanding Officials’ Dismissal Over Mass Shooting

Montenegrin students from the group “Where Tomorrow?” are organizing daily road blockages in protest over the government’s failure to address their demands following the mass shooting in Cetinje on January 1. The students are calling for the resignation of Minister of Interior Danilo Saranovic and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Becic, who oversee security. Despite their

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Turkey: Rights Groups Protest as Press Freedom Violations Surge

40 Turkish and international organizations, including the International Press Institute, Freedom House, the European Federation of Journalists, and Turkey’s Media and Law Studies Association, have issued a joint letter protesting increasing press freedom violations. The letter condemns the systematic use of judicial control measures—such as house arrests and travel bans—to silence independent journalists. In January

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Serbia: Protests Met with Repression, Resistance, Resignations and Students Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Protests across Serbia demanding transparency and accountability after the November tragedy in Novi Sad continued throughout January, met with police brutality, hate speech, and repression of students, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists. The “Three Freedoms” platform condemned the targeting of students and educators, as well as the attempted murder of a student hit by

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European Right-Wing on a Mission to Silence NGOs

The European right-wing, led by the EPP, has long campaigned to defund and silence NGOs, securing a key victory in May 2024 when the Commission introduced new guidelines to block funding for NGOs engaging in advocacy. Now, they are pushing even further, calling for a European law to regulate NGOs and restrict their influence. At

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Serbian Regime Crackdown Crossing Borders: European CSOs Alert Against Oppression!

Serbian authorities’ crackdown on civic space has now extended beyond its borders, obstructing foreign activists and CSOs from participating in public debates. On January 22, 14 EU and Western Balkans activists- participants of the Erste Foundation NGO Academy visit were detained, expelled, and labeled a “security risk” without evidence. Following mass protests in Serbia demanding

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North Macedonia: Call for Members & Deputies for Gov-CSO Cooperation Council (Deadline: 4 Feb)

The General Secretariat of the Government of North Macedonia has announced a public call for the selection of 14 members and deputy members of the Council for Cooperation between the Government and Civil Society, an advisory body dedicated to strengthening dialogue, cooperation, and civil society engagement in policymaking. The call aims to establish an independent,

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