News and updates from BCSDN and the region
On 28 April 2021, BCSDN held its 15th Annual Council Meeting. The representatives of BCSDN member organizations and Executive Office staff joined together virtually to discuss the activities and the network’s accomplishments during the past year, and the plans for the future. BCSDN EO presented the 2020 Annual and Financial Reports, highlighting the most important
Read more →In the latest issue of the BCSDN quarterly newsletter, we present some of the networks’ activities and accomplishments made from the beginning of 2021. The newsletter focuses on our regular activities and projects, oriented towards strengthening our mission for providing an enabling environment for civil society development in the Balkans. It highlights our progress within
Read more →The EU TACSO 3 research focuses on two main aspects of networking: Mapping of CSO networking, i.e., regional networks and regional Civil Society Facility projects, and Assessment of networks’ capacities and capacity building needs, including specific issues such as EU accession and gender equality. The assessment identified that the EU support for the regional EU-CSF
Read more →The Executive Board of the Conference on the Future of Europe declined the European Parliament’s proposal, a representative of the Civil Society Convention on the Future of Europe, to be included as an observer in the process. The adoption of the Civil Society Convention proposal is a positive political message to citizens in Europe and
Read more →The report presents the views of ICSOs of the pandemic’s influence and their ability to operate effectively, helping the INGO constituency group, and the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) in the context of the development effectiveness agenda during the pandemic. It outlines the main impacts identified by study participants, including the challenges generated by
Read more →On the International Day for Multilateralism on 24 April, a group of 100 CSOs, led by CIVICUS, Democracy International, and Democracy Without Borders, in a joint statement under the name “We the Peoples,” requests on the UN to implement three reforms, so that the people, elected representatives, and civil society will have a stronger voice and
Read more →Organic Agriculture Association of Albania, whose mission is to contribute to sustainable rural development in the country, has launched a viral video to provoke civic engagement and urge the government to take necessary measures to protect Vjosa River. They request the river to be declared a national park and prevent a hydropower plant’s construction. Considering
Read more →Ahead of IPA III financial framework (2021-2027) being finalized, and in the light of the IPA country programming taking place, BCSDN has published an updated Opinion on how the EU can more effectively support civil society to promote the civic space and contribute to a more resilient civil society in the Western Balkans. During rising
Read more →After a long pause, the Conference on the Future of Europe will be finally launched on 9 May 2021 by the European Parliament, Council, and Commission. Some of the major developments, such as the increase in turnout in the 2019 European elections, the adoption of the EU 7-year budget, including a recovery plan through joint
Read more →CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) delivered its latest report as a part of the platform’s engagement to effective development cooperation and SDGs’ fulfillment. Through case studies delivered by individual countries, the publication analyzes the Effective Development Cooperation principles in COVID-19 response worldwide, outlining the government’s anti-COVID-19 measures and implications on CSOs’ work, CSO strategies,
Read more →As part of the multi-country action component of the Sida-funded Regional Civil Society Development Hub, BCSDN proudly presents the 10 successful regional grantees, whose projects and knowledge shared will contribute towards the Hub’s mission to strengthening regional cooperation and protecting the civic space in the Western Balkans. Through their work and engagement, the networks will
Read more →The latest Amnesty International Report: “The State of the World’s Human Rights” presents the CEE and SEE governments used the pandemic to tighten controls over justice systems, curtail freedoms, and further discriminate the marginalized communities, increase state control over the judiciary and media, etc. While in some countries, the governments failed to implement adequate measures
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