News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Following the letter sent to the Council of Europe where we expressed concerns and reservations over the Report on the regional terrorism financing risk assessment of the not-for-profit (NPO) sector in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, the Council of Europe (CoE) initiated a meeting with BCSDN and all signatories of the letter to further the dialogue on the
Read more →Civil Society Europe has issued the Civil Society State of the Union report, directed at EU institutions and Member States. The report focuses on strengthening democracy, fundamental rights, and the civic space within the European Union. It presents a collective vision from civil society and vital recommendations to promote a more democratic, socially equitable, and
Read more →The Open Society Foundations–Western Balkans, in partnership with the Government of Albania and ELIAMEP and CDI, is hosting the 2023 Civil Society and Think Tank Forum. This event fosters dialogue among civil society, public authorities, EU representatives, donors, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and EU member states. Seven working groups advocate with Western Balkan
Read more →Convened by the President of the General Assembly, the SDG Summit 2023 marks the halfway point to the deadline set for achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Summit on September 18-19, 2023, in New York, aims to address global crises and renew enthusiasm for this agenda. CPDE’s involvement includes
Read more →The proposal stems from the EP resolution of 17 February 2022, aiming to promote associations and other NPOs in the EU in completing the internal market, protecting their fundamental rights, and fostering an EU democratic space. The European Commission answered positively sharing the need to create an enabling environment for the non-profit sector, out of
Read more →More than a year has passed since the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) concluded its unprecedented, deliberative exercise that put citizens front and centre in the discussions on the future of the EU. An inter-institutional effort by the EC, EP, and the Council, the CoFoE brought citizens together in four transnational citizens’ panels
Read more →BCSDN is glad to announce its newly re-elected Board members, made up of esteemed member representatives: Aida Daguda, Director, CPCD, Klotilda Kosta, Director of Programs, Partners Albania, Rana Kotan, Secretary General, TUSEV, Taulant Hoxha, Executive Director, KCSF, Tina Divljak, Head of Advocacy, CNVOS. Along with, Maja Stojanovic, Director of Civic Initiatives, and Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska,
Read more →We are thrilled to announce the continuation of BCSDN’s partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through a newly granted 4-year project. In the forthcoming period, the Hub will enhance the cooperation and resilience of CSOs in the Western Balkans with the aim to facilitate CSO and multi-stakeholder collaboration and contribute to promoting
Read more →Daphne Foundation produced a new report for CASE showing the urgent need for strong anti-SLAPP legislation across Europe, including Daphne’s Law, the directive proposed by the European Commission which the Council of the EU is threatening to undermine. The 2023 report provides the most recent overview of the data collected for CASE on a rolling
Read more →Despite ongoing efforts by civil society, activists, and academia, the anti-defamation law was passed in Republika Srpska on 20 July, sparking international criticism. This is not the sole threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina democratic freedoms. Republika Srpska’s proposed “foreign agents” law, utilized to stifle critical voices is another risk. Criminalizing defamation and introducing the “foreign
Read more →European Policy Centre has published the PAR monitor for 2021/2022 highlighting that strong and resilient institutions matter, along with sound and inclusive policies and processes, skilled administrative capacities, and technological enablers that are crucial to delivering better lives and livelihoods. The PAR Monitor 2021/2022 is the result of monitoring work performed during 2022 by the
Read more →Despite ongoing efforts by civil society, activists, and academia, the anti-defamation law was passed in Republika Srpska on July 20, sparking international criticism. This is not the sole threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina democratic freedoms. Republika Srpska’s proposed “foreign agents” law, utilized to stifle critical voices is another risk. Criminalizing defamation and introducing the “foreign
Read more →