News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A common civil society position paper on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) has been published by Civil Society Europe (CSE), in collaboration with a broad coalition of CSOs. In the document, an open and rights-based approach to the next EU budget is advocated, with emphasis placed on safeguarding democracy, fundamental rights, social inclusion, and
Read more →On 8 April the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) held its annual in-person strategy meeting in Brussels, bringing together legal experts and civil society organisations from across Europe. The meeting focused on assessing progress in tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) over the past year, setting priorities for 2025, and discussing the implementation
Read more →A coordinated statement by over 570 civil society organisations from all EU Member States and beyond, including BCSDN, responds to recent attacks from certain MEPs—primarily from the European People’s Party and far-right groups—aimed at delegitimising CSO advocacy in EU institutions. The narrative, amplified in some media, misrepresents how CSOs are funded and operate, while ignoring
Read more →Following the March 15 protest in Belgrade, CSOs have filed a criminal complaint for terrorism after an unidentified sonic device disrupted the peaceful gathering during a 15-minute silence. The incident that triggered panic, a stampede, and numerous injuries among the hundreds of thousands present. Witnesses described a deafening sound similar to a low-flying aircraft, often
Read more →In a milestone for Albania’s EU integration process, Juliana Hoxha, Director of Partners Albania for Change and Development, has been elected Co-Chair of the EU–Albania Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) for a three-year mandate. The JCC is a formal body established under the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement and brings together representatives from Albanian
Read more →North Macedonia has become the first country to receive pre-financing under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, securing a total of €52.2 million to kickstart reforms outlined in its approved Reform Agenda. Of this amount, €24.5 million will be channelled directly into the state budget to support priority reforms, while €28 million will
Read more →Following one of the largest civic mobilizations in Serbia’s recent history, marked by a worrying pattern of state violence and intimidation, BCSDN reiterates its condemnation of the systematic pressure of Serbia’s civil society and calls for robust EU action to protect civic space. The 15 March protest in Belgrade, sparked by the fatal infrastructure collapse
Read more →The arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and key opposition figures has sparked one of the largest protest waves in Turkey in recent years, marking a dangerous turn toward authoritarianism. The move, seen as an attempt by President Erdoğan to eliminate his strongest rival ahead of the 2028 elections, involved politicised judicial action and media
Read more →At the high-level conference “EU Enlargement and Societal Transformation in the Western Balkans: Civil Society and Youth Engagement for Democratic Resilience” hosted by the College of Europe on 13 March in Tirana, BCSDN Executive Director Biljana Spasovska joined a panel alongside Commissioner Marta Kos and other key speakers to discuss the role of civil society
Read more →Looking for a new challenge in communications? BCSDN is hiring a Communications Officer to join our Executive Office in Skopje, North Macedonia. This full-time position is ideal for someone with interest and knowledge about civil society, democracy, and civic space. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in the civil society sector, strong
Read more →BCSDN, together with the European Civic Forum, coordinated and joined the call with 130 CSOs from across Europe to demand justice, democracy, and fundamental freedoms for Serbia. Civil society faces escalating attacks, including illegal police raids on NGOs and violent repression of protests after the Novi Sad train station collapse. The government’s response—arrests, intimidation, and
Read more →BCSDN condemns the adoption of the “Foreign Agents Law” in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, which forces non-profits receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents,” restricting their activities and undermining independent civil society. Passed without meaningful debate despite widespread opposition, the law expands government control over CSOs, intensifying repression alongside restrictive defamation laws.
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