News and updates from BCSDN and the region
CSOs are invited to contribute to the development of the UN coherent and systematic approach to protecting and promoting civic space. The feedback and recommendations received during the consultations will feed into the development of the UN’s overall approach and strategy on the protection and promotion of civic space. The target audience for this consultation
Read more →The Western Balkans Network The Future of the Welfare State (FWS), utilizing the Open Method of Coordination as a tool and the EU Pillar for Social Rights as a relevant policy framework, initiates coordination in education, social protection and social inclusion in the Western Balkans that includes: agreeing on elements of a common Western Balkans
Read more →CSOs are innovators, testing new approaches to both traditional and emerging problems. One of today’s issues creating an unprecedented challenge to civil society is the rise of populist leaders and their pervasive rhetoric, in different parts of the world. Populists have been adept at winning hearts and minds and creating or mining divisions in society,
Read more →Dear partners and members, 2019 has been a great year for internal growth and recognition of our work. At the same time, it has been a difficult year for the region, for civil society, and for citizens. We have seen a decline in democracy and civic space in many countries. We present a short recap
Read more →The Human Freedom Index presents a broad measure of human freedom, understood as the absence of coercive constraint. The findings in the HFI suggest that freedom plays an important role in human well-being, and they offer opportunities for further research into the complex ways in which freedom influences, and can be influenced by, political regimes,
Read more →The ongoing debate at the EU and Member State levels on the new enlargement methodology indicates that there is a different understanding across Europe on how to renew the accession process. The French veto over the start of EU accession talks with N. Macedonia and Albania, despite the EC’s recommendation, and a non-paper coming from
Read more →A group of CSOs appealed to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković for transparency during Croatia’s EU presidency in 2020 so as to contribute to legislative and lobbyist transparency in the Council of the EU. Transparency is the key first step in curbing excessive corporate influence, noticeable in the Council’s many negotiations on new regulations and directives.
Read more →Liberties’ team of experts has prepared a series of one-page briefings for the new arrivals, summarizing a bunch of civil liberties issues that we are dealing with: what the problems are, why they matter to the EU, and what we think the EU can do to solve them. CSOs are key to the proper functioning
Read more →BCSDN has been selected through an open call for proposals and engaged within EU TACSO 3 project framework to conduct the Needs Assessment on the State of the Enabling Environment and Capacities of Civil Society of the Western Balkan and Turkey. During October and November, BCSDN members (Civic Initiatives, CPCD, CRNVO, KCSF, MCIC and Partners
Read more →The CIVICUS Monitor has released People Power Under Attack 2019, a new report showing that the fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression are backsliding across the world. In the space of a year, twice as many people are living in countries where these civic freedoms are being violated: 40% of the world’s population
Read more →In partnership with 30 organizations around the world, the global CSO platform CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has launched the Global Day of Action Against Shrinking Civic Spaces. Under the theme ‘Working Together to Defend Human Rights and Civic Space for a Just and Sustainable World,’ the campaign aims to raise the awareness of
Read more →All over the world, millions of civic organizations and movements play an essential role in our societies, improving the lives of our communities and promoting citizens’ participation. They advocate, campaign and act to provide effective access to fundamental human rights for all. The role of independent CSOs is recognized by the UN and by the
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