News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A coalition of Serbian CSOs, including BCSDN member Civic Initiatives has called for the urgent establishment of an independent UN fact-finding mission to investigate the alleged use of an acoustic device during the 15 March 2025 protest in Belgrade. The organisations express serious concern that the investigation has shifted away from determining responsibility for the
Read more →The European Union is developing new safeguard mechanisms aimed at ensuring that future member states continue to uphold democratic standards, the rule of law, and EU commitments after accession. Speaking to POLITICO, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos confirmed that the European Commission is exploring measures such as transitional periods and post-accession safeguards that
Read more →Civil Society Europe has launched preparations for the Civil Society State of the Union 2027, inviting EU-level CSOs to contribute to a collective assessment of democracy, civic participation and key societal challenges across the European Union. Building on previous editions published in 2023 and 2025, the report aims to complement the European Commission President’s annual
Read more →The “Flamingo Revolution” has become one of Albania’s most prominent environmental civic movements, driven by concerns over legislative changes that weaken protections for protected areas and enable large-scale tourism and infrastructure developments. Led by environmental organisations and supported by citizens nationwide, the campaign has focused on safeguarding the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area, one of the Mediterranean’s
Read more →Ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report, 37 civil society, human rights, journalism, and media organisations have called for a more robust and action-oriented approach to protecting the rule of law across the EU and candidate countries. They argue that the annual report has become a routine monitoring exercise
Read more →Eurothink – Centre for European Strategies has published the 2026 edition of its Eurobarometer survey, examining citizens’ perceptions of democracy, EU integration, foreign policy, public institutions and information sources in North Macedonia. The findings show a moderate recovery in support for EU membership, with 58% of respondents viewing accession as beneficial and 66% considering the
Read more →BCSDN has welcomed Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board, further strengthening the network’s regional perspective and expertise in civic space, democracy, and civil society development. As Secretary General of TÜSEV, Enlargement Candidate Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and a member of the European Civic Forum (ECF), Güneş brings extensive experience in
Read more →Thousands of citizens, environmental organisations, and local activists have protested against planned tourism developments in Albania’s Vjosa–Narta protected area, citing concerns over potential impacts on one of the country’s most important coastal ecosystems and habitats for migratory birds, flamingos, sea turtles, and other protected species. More than 98,000 people have signed a public petition calling
Read more →The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted Rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula’s report on Serbia, with 51 votes in favor, 14 against, and 10 abstentions. The final report is considerably stricter than the initial draft, assessing Serbia as having made limited or no progress in democratic governance, the rule of law, media freedom,
Read more →EESC convened the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference in Vienna on 29 May under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Bringing together civil society representatives, policymakers, social partners, EU institutions, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and EU Member States, the event focused on how to strengthen
Read more →A non-paper signed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg proposes a general template for future accession treaties to ensure that forthcoming EU enlargements strengthen rather than strain the Union. The document calls for enhanced safeguards in the rule of law, including a binding non-regression clause and an extended safeguard clause covering democratic principles
Read more →BiEPAG published an analysis of the 2026 EU–Western Balkans Summit, examining the implications of the new Merz–Macron proposal on gradual integration and the future of EU enlargement. The analysis explores opportunities for deeper integration of candidate countries into EU policies and the Single Market before full membership, while also warning against rewarding limited reforms and
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