News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The European Policy Institute – Skopje has published a policy brief that examines thoroughly the Open Balkan Initiative. Although regional cooperation is not a newly introduced concept, the publication emphasizes that what makes this idea different from the previous ones, is that it is homeborn, created, and led by the countries themselves. The document further
Read more →Friends of Europe’s flagship annual high-level roundtable has recognized that the hardship imposed on citizens across Europe by the economic impact of Russia’s war has given added urgency to the need for a Renewed Social Contract. The follow-up report from the roundtable, suggests that the contract must define the role of government, business, and civil
Read more →The evolving relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, facilitated by the European Union, is facing its sternest test since 2011 when barricades throughout north Kosovo reflected a situation threatening to spiral out of control. To supplement however this path towards sustainable peace, the EU must consider how it can better engage those constructive voices from civil
Read more →The Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG) has published a survey examining the attitudes of the Dutch population towards EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. It presents the perception of previous EU enlargement steps, and the general view of the EU, following the 2019 Dutch parliament veto on EU accession negotiations with Albania, which alongside the
Read more →Last week we shared with our partners and colleagues the wrap of the 2022 newsletter issue! Our 76th Newsletter is an image of challenges, achievements, and endeavors through 2022. Spoiler alert: it`s one with a happy ending! Read more here. Source: BCSDN
Read more →Convening key development co-operation stakeholders from all over the world, the 2022 Effective Development Co-operation Summit of the Global Partnership closed with an adoption of the Geneva Summit Declaration, aimed to anchor future decision-making around the four effectiveness principles and strengthen progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The global Summit emphasized the need for effective
Read more →BCSDN has published their 5th episode of the Explaining Western Balkans Series. This episode`s interlocutor is Paul Taylor, Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defense in Friends of Europe who has recently authored the report “Seize the geopolitical moment: the Western Balkans and European security” examining what the EU and the Euro-Atlantic community need to
Read more →Aiming to ensure new space for social dialogue, Centre for Promotion of Civil Society (CPCD), BCSDN`s member from Bosnia and Herzegovina, designed and launched an agile civil society conference in BiH under the name Civilka. Addressing the pressing issues of civil society, in line with the four principles of the Global Partnership for Effective Development
Read more →Europe faces a winter of uncertainty and potential discontent. The cost of living is rising rapidly and the spectre of recession looms. Economic concerns are affecting citizens’ trust in institutions. Research by Eurofound has indicated a decrease in trust in national institutions across the European Union—including in governments, healthcare systems, and the police. An article
Read more →The 2022 Effective Development Co-operation Summit is taking place at the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development this week in Geneva, bringing various global actors together to put a spotlight on how better cooperation strengthens trust and transforms the ways of joint actions. This event brings together the Global Partnership for Development Effectiveness
Read more →Within the scope of its engagement during the High Level Political Event (HLPE) that took part in Geneva, the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) held its General Assembly (GA) during which the new co-chairs have been elected, amongst whom, Ms. Biljana Spasovska the Executive Director of BCSDN and CPDE Europe. This new role of
Read more →Three research papers have been awarded through an open call to organizations working in the Balkans, within the framework of the activities that BCSDN is conducting with support from and in partnership with the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE). In an era of shrinking civic space, pandemic, and post-pandemic challenges, CSOs need to build
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