News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The adoption of the Law on Transparency in the Representation of Interests in Bulgaria has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding its potential impact on civic space. While the law aims to regulate lobbying and increase transparency, concerns focus on its rushed adoption and broad scope, which does not clearly distinguish between public interest advocacy and
Read more →A new report by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation reveals escalating threats against women human rights defenders worldwide, based on survey responses from nearly 800 activists in 81 countries. The State of Women Human Rights Defenders 2026 shows that 69 % of respondents have faced threats and harassment, with more than half identifying state actors as perpetrators,
Read more →BIRN Albania and SCiDEV have released a report assessing media freedom, pluralism, and journalist safety in Albania during 2025. The report examines legal reforms, institutional changes, and working conditions in the context of Albania’s EU accession process. While some procedural steps were taken to strengthen safeguards, structural challenges persist. Journalists continue to face pressure, intimidation,
Read more →Gender is increasingly weaponised in digital spaces across the region, with women activists, journalists, and public figures facing coordinated online backlash, particularly around International Women’s Day mobilisations. In Albania, feminist activists and journalists were targeted with disinformation and sexist smear campaigns, including attacks against reporters covering corruption. In Serbia, protests were framed as political manipulation,
Read more →A Turkish court’s decision to jail investigative journalist İsmail Arı has drawn strong criticism from media freedom advocates, who warn of growing pressure on independent journalism in Turkey. Detained on charges of spreading “misinformation,” Arı is seen by rights groups as being targeted for reporting on sensitive issues, including corruption and religious networks. Advocacy organisations
Read more →On 12 March 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a conference in Skopje bringing together CSOs, social partners, EU institutions and national authorities to discuss key priorities for North Macedonia’s EU accession process. The event focused on the role of organised civil society in accession negotiations and the implementation of the Reform
Read more →BCSDN member Partners Albania, together with 30 CSOs, has called on the Albanian Parliament to ensure that proposed amendments to its Rules of Procedure do not undermine transparency, parliamentary scrutiny, and public consultation in legislation related to EU integration. While recognising the need for efficiency during this intensive phase of accession negotiations, civil society stresses
Read more →A wave of coordinated bot attacks has targeted independent journalists and media outlets in Serbia, leading to the suspension or deletion of key Instagram accounts. Photojournalists Irena Radosavljević and Gavrilo Andrić, outlets including Nova.rs and OzonPress, and weekly publication Radar were hit by mass reporting from fake profiles. Some accounts were suspended for months, while
Read more →Civil Society Europe (CSE) has provided input to the European Commission’s call for evidence on improving its Better Regulation guidelines, cautioning that simplification efforts must not undermine fundamental rights, sustainable development, or democratic standards. As these guidelines shape how EU laws are prepared and implemented, CSE highlights the importance of evidence-based policymaking, independent scientific expertise,
Read more →The report argues that the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 was developed for a political context that has since changed significantly. While the strategy contributed to progress on pay transparency, corporate equality measures, funding conditions, and the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention, many advances resulted from external pressure, legal action, and shifting national policies
Read more →A new policy paper by ECNL finds that CSOs and human rights defenders forced into exile face serious barriers to accessing banking services in EU countries. Based on a global survey, many organisations struggle to open accounts, transfer funds, or maintain banking relationships, often due to visa status, lack of long-term residency, or links to
Read more →European CSOs have raised alarm after a US congressional report on alleged EU “censorship” published thousands of emails with the names of EU Commission officials and NGO staff visible, while tech company employees’ identities were redacted. The House Judiciary Committee report, based on subpoenaed communications with platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok, is seen
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