News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Three Freedoms platform, by addressing an open letter co-signed by 18 CSOs from Serbia, draws the public’s attention to the lawsuits in Novi Pazar against activists who criticized the actions of the health authorities in this city during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Basic Court`s verdict against civil activist Aladin Paučinac for the criminal
Read more →A policy brief authored by Igor Vidačak, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Zagreb, explores the possibilities for strengthening citizens’ trust in the work of EU institutions by promoting greater accountability of national governments and parliaments in dealing with EU issues. The policy document notes that an effective debate
Read more →The International Forum for Democratic Studies has released the Sharp Power Research Portal, an interactive digital tool that catalogues research and reporting on authoritarian sharp power in: media and information; commerce; culture and entertainment; knowledge generation; and technology. With over 750 resources in five languages, the Portal features easily accessible examples and analyses of the
Read more →A group of CSOs from Serbia submitted a list of requests to the competent authorities demanding detailed investigation of the events of November 27th, and…
Read more →Within the marking of the 16 days of activism against violence, CIVICUS World Alliance has created a list of 16 people-powered movements and campaigns to add your voice to this 16 Days of Activism. The list contains short but comprehensive descriptions of 16 women-led campaigns covering issues everything from advocating for equality, access, and justice,
Read more →A report prepared by the Pew Research Center and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center examines what experts and interested public think about the future of digital spaces their impact on democracy that recently has been raising societal concerns. Most of the experts agree that digital spaces are evolving in ways that are both positive
Read more →CSOs play an important role in the EU accession process. They promote the European values before citizens, emphasize the benefits of EU membership and – through cooperation with other CSOs from the EU – assist the EU integration process. CSOs have expertise and knowledge to contribute to all processes under RNM’s EU accession. The EU
Read more →All over the world, associations, independent media outlets, and NGOs – all of which often constitute the last critical bulwark against totalitarian abuses – are facing new laws aimed at curbing their activities by depriving them of means, and at discrediting them. In most cases, this roots from the genuine paranoia of closed political regimes
Read more →As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the crackdown on environmental activism. Civicus Monitor’s new report for COP26 looks at 3 worrying trends: bans and restrictions on protests, judicial harassment and legal persecution, use of violence & vilification. Research examines the crackdown on environmental activism and profiles important victories civil society has scored in the
Read more →“World Protests: A Study of Key Protest Issues in the 21st Century” is a recent publication that provides the background and methodology of the study, including the countries covered. This book presents the results of a protest event analysis undertaken in 2013 and 2020 by a team of four researchers. The study analyzes data on
Read more →The extraordinary circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic set new standards, habits and conditions. In the previous period, we had to adapt and start following new models in life and work. Catalyst Balkan has prepared a list of software and instructional videos for their use, which will improve the performance of your organization in these
Read more →On paper, the Western Balkans have some of the most progressive Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in Europe. All OGP members in the region, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have made more than 20 commitments to advance the right to information through OGP. Despite having comparatively strong FOI laws
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