News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A new study of the Council of Europe (CoE) tackles the elaboration and oversight of the implementation of certain European and international requirements with respect to activities that might support or act as a cover for money laundering and terrorist financing insofar as this can have an adverse impact on the legitimate activities of NGOs
Read more →The Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) based in Albania is conducting a study, commissioned by BCSDN, which aims to evaluate the partnerships CSOs establish with businesses as a way to increase sustainability and accomplish their mission. The questionnaire aims to collect examples of successful CSOs-private sector partnerships, challenges, drivers, and barriers to such partnerships.
Read more →The first high-level international conference on Human Rights, Civil Society and Counter-Terrorism, jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Spain, concluded today in Málaga. More than 430 participants, among them member states, regional and international organizations, United Nations entities and 44 Civil Society organizations, came together to exchange ideas and experiences
Read more →The OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS), mainly aimed at banks and other financial institutions, has a primary purpose to enable tax authorities to automatically exchange certain types of information on an annual basis to better detect tax evasion and crimes/offenses. However, under its current wording, public-benefit foundations and non-profit organisations can fall under the label
Read more →What does civic space mean, and why is it a keystone to any democracy? Although it differs around the world, civic space is central to democracy, and we can all help protect it. A recently published article with multimedia content, by the Liberties, dives deep into these questions, painting picturesque images on the topic of
Read more →The pilot edition of the Civic Health Index Bulgaria is now here – a national survey on the state of democracy and civic participation in Bulgaria, which serves as a warning mechanism for democratic deficits. The Civic Health Index Bulgaria (Index) is a sociological survey by the Sofia Platform Foundation, inspired by the Civic Health
Read more →The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) invites applications from suitably qualified nationals of OSCE participating States with an expertise in the field of freedom of peaceful assembly and/or association, to join the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association. The Panel will be appointed for a four-year
Read more →As the final stage of the trialogue negotiations on the Digital Services Act (DSA) is approaching, the DSA Human Rights Alliance is calling for the Act to truly comply with international human rights standards. In the joint reaction the group of 27civil society organizations that came together around the central tenet that the DAC must
Read more →An article supported with interview statements from anti-corruption experts from the region examines the state of the whistle-blower’s protection practices in the Western Balkans was published by the European Western Balkans. The article notes that despite their contribution to transparency and justice, individuals who report illegalities are very often deprived of adequate treatment. Zorana Marković,
Read more →A policy brief published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime looks at topics of common interest to CSOs in the Western Balkans dealing with issues related to organized crime. The main findings suggest CSOs in small communities can make a big difference but are also more exposed, they need support from other CSOs,
Read more →A guide published by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights underlines the added value to all of being a human rights city. The guide provides practical assistance for local authorities that want to drive respect for human rights. They can use it to design and implement their step-by-step policies and strategies across a wide range
Read more →Although the enhancement of the state financing system is one of the priorities of the civil society, and according to the Work Program of the Government of the North Macedonia for the period 2022-2024, it is also a priority of the executive government, the recent restructurings and budget cuts for civil society organizations reaffirm the
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