News and updates from BCSDN and the region
More than 40 CSOs across the EU and US delivered an urgent message to the European Commission and President Von der Leyen to resist Big Tech’s political pressure and uphold EU sovereignty. The letter calls on the Commission to stand firm against corporate lobbying and Trump administration interference as CEOs of Meta, Apple, and others
Read more →The EU TACSO 3 project, on behalf of the European Commission, is conducting the third Assessment against the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Western Balkans and Turkey 2021–2027. The survey aims to gather input from as many CSOs as possible in the region. Its findings will offer invaluable insights
Read more →Over 100 CSOs have joined the BCSDN member Center for Civil Society Promotion’s (CPCD) call to support demands for revising the Federation of BiH’s 2025 minimum wage reforms. While supporting the wage increase to 1,000 KM, the call warns that excluding CSOs from subsidy programs threatens the sustainability of a sector employing over 6,300 people. Current
Read more →The protests following the November 2024 Novi Sad tragedy after the fall of the rail station canopy, which took 15 lives continues with greater intensity. On January 10, students in Belgrade blocked a major interchange and part of the Belgrade-Zagreb highway demanding accountability for the tragedy, and authorities’ corruption activities. The students, supported by professors,
Read more →The BH Journalists Steering Committee has called on the Una-Sana Canton (USC) Government and Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports to include the media community in drafting the new Law on Information. This law aims to update the 1998 legislation by addressing hate speech, fake news, and harmful online content. Proposed measures include requiring
Read more →Turkish opposition leaders condemned the detention of Riza Akpolat, the opposition mayor of Istanbul’s Besiktas district, along with 46 others on corruption charges. The allegations include bribery, bid-rigging, and involvement in a criminal organization. The detentions have sparked criticism, labeling them as incompatible with democratic principles. The opposition accuses the government of manipulating public opinion
Read more →The International Press Institute (IPI) and the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) report assesses media capture in Romania. The analysis highlights the political influence over Romania’s media regulators, including the National Audiovisual Council (CNA), and the challenges facing public service broadcasters like the Romanian Television Company (TVR) and the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company (SRR).
Read more →The Government of North Macedonia invites CSOs registered under the Law on Associations and Foundations to complete a questionnaire assessing the implementation of the Action plan of the Government’s Strategy for Cooperation with and Development of Civil Society (2022-2024) for 2024. The questionnaire gathers data on organizational activities, sectors of work, cooperation with the Government,
Read more →Tens of thousands gathered at Belgrade’s Slavija Square for one of Serbia’s largest rallies in recent years, protesting against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government. The protest, led by students and farmer unions, was part of a movement demanding accountability for the November 1 railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people.
Read more →Recent European Commission policy guidelines barring NGOs from using EU funds for advocacy work are a profound threat to democracy and civil society’s role in policymaking. CINEA, the agency that deals with funding for all kinds of environmental projects financed by the LIFE programme on behalf of the EC has requested NGOs to review 2024
Read more →Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a one-year TikTok ban starting in 2025, following the fatal stabbing of a teenager allegedly linked to social media disputes. Rama accused platforms like TikTok of inciting youth violence and stressed society’s collective responsibility. TikTok denied involvement, citing no evidence of accounts linked to the incident and clarifying the
Read more →A report by Amnesty International reveals that Serbian police and intelligence services are using advanced forensic tools and NoviSpy spyware to surveil activists, journalists, and civil society members. Tools from the Israeli firm Cellebrite are being employed to unlock devices and install spyware during police interrogations or confiscations, violating Serbian law and fundamental rights. Amnesty’s
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