What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: BIRN’s Regional Camp on Legally Safe Reporting and Crisis Reporting (Deadline: 24 June)

Target group: Journalists, final-year journalism students, recent graduates, and young professional journalists from Western Balkans. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. Short Description: The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) is inviting applications for a three-day Regional Camp on Legally Safe Reporting and Crisis Reporting. This training aims to equip journalists with

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CfA: Cohesion Policy Training for Journalism Students and Young Journalists in Europe (Deadline: 8 July)

Target group: Aspiring Journalists in Europe Countries: EU Member States, Neighbouring, and Accession Countries. Short Description: The Commission launches the application period for the 8th edition of Youth4Regions, targeting aspiring journalists. Successful applicants will undergo a week-long training in Brussels, including sessions, mentorship, press room work, and visits to EU institutions. Applications are open in

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CfA: Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) (Deadline: 12 July)

Target group: Human rights activists worldwide, working at the grassroots level with NGOs. Countries: Applicants from all regions of the world, except high-income countries unless they represent marginalized communities. Short Description: The HRAP is designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and networks of human rights activists. It focuses on various issues including sexual and gender-based

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CfA: Third Western Balkans Public Administration Awards (Deadline: 15 July)

Target group: Public sector institutions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo. Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The Public Administration Awards in the Western Balkans, organized by ReSPA and SIGMA, seeks to recognize initiatives improving public service delivery and governance. These awards highlight projects fostering good governance, citizen engagement, and innovation

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United Against SLAPPs: Strategies for Defending Freedom of Expression in the Western Balkans

On May 28-29, BCSDN organized the SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) Multistakeholder Workshop in Tirana, bringing together CSO representatives, activists, journalists, media workers, and legal experts from the Western Balkans and EU. The event focused on addressing SLAPP threats to freedom of expression and public participation, sharing personal experiences, and discussing regional research, legal

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BCSDN at EESC High-Level Civil Society Conference: Continuing the Success Story of EU Enlargement

The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference, held on 24 May in Ljubljana, brought together EESC members, Slovenian officials, and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans, including BCSDN representatives. The event facilitated exchanges on necessary reforms in the Western Balkans and the EU to uphold the enlargement policy as a key EU success. Discussions

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Call for Inputs – Stigmatizing Narratives and Implications on the Exercise of the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association (Deadline: 14 June)

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association is calling for inputs on stigmatizing narratives and their impact on these rights. This input will inform the thematic report to the UN General Assembly’s 79th session. The report aims to analyze the spread of negative narratives against civil society and

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SOLIDAR: 2024 EU Elections Manifesto and Six Proposals for a Just Transition

The 2024 EU Elections Manifesto outlines six progressive proposals aimed at facilitating a just transition towards a more equitable and sustainable future in Europe. It emphasizes the critical point at which Europe finds itself, advocating for transformative policies to address ongoing crises in climate, health, socio-economic inequality, and migration. Key proposals include prioritizing a socially

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The European Commission to Release Annual Rule of Law Reports

The European Commission is preparing rule of law reports for EU member and candidate countries, set to be published on 3 July, though this date may change. The reports will use the same methodology for both groups to provide a clear comparison. President Ursula von der Leyen announced this initiative to help candidate countries progress

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BiH: Controversial ‘Foreign Agents’ Law Withdrawn by Bosnian Serb Assembly

The Bosnian Serb Assembly has withdrawn the controversial Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of Non-Profit Organisations, known as ‘foreign agents’ law and, citing the need for further alignment with European standards. The law aimed to restrict NPOs from political activities, enforce registry enrollment, and increase oversight. International and regional warnings from the Venice

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EU Adopts New Rules to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

On April 24, the European Parliament officially adopted the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislative package. This package, proposed by the European Commission in July 2021, strengthens EU rules under six pillars. Key elements include the EU single rulebook regulation, the Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority regulation.

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