News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) launched its manifesto for the 2024 EU Elections, advocating for journalism as a public good, and calling for support for independent journalism through funding, regulation, and safety measures. Key points include investing in journalism, ensuring safety for journalists, and regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly. The manifesto emphasizes the need
Read more →The National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania conducted an assessment to identify capacity-building needs for CSOs in the country. The assessment, based on an online survey completed by 113 organizations from all regions of the country, focused on areas such as organizational management, financial sustainability, policy-making participation, European integration, transparency, media collaboration, and
Read more →CIVICUS is actively involved in the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), aiming to strengthen civil society and democracy in the digital era through two main streams: empowering local civil society in the Global South to utilize digital tools for inclusive democracy and defending civil society by advocating for rights-focused policies and improved security measures. CIVICUS and
Read more →While the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans offers substantial financial aid and aims to incentivize reforms, it faces criticism on several fronts. Observers have dismissed it as offering easy money with loose accession conditionality, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Furthermore, the plan lacks a direct connection to the formal accession process, potentially
Read more →The philanthropic narrative increasingly emphasizes unrestricted funding, but data reveals a stark reality: only 20% of funding is truly flexible. Restricted funding poses challenges for both grant makers and grantees, hindering their ability to drive real social change. Grassroots movements suffer as competition rises, collaboration wanes, and administrative burdens soar. Donors must relinquish rigid control
Read more →Target group: Citizens interested in philanthropy and CSOs in North Macedonia. Aim: To support grassroots CSOs in North Macedonia by providing them with funding opportunities through the Donor Circle initiative. Amount: Approximately 100,000 MKD (approximately 1,600 EUR) for each organization Duration: N/A Deadline: 26 March Link to more information (Konekt)
Read more →Target group: Youth aged 14-24 from ethnically diverse communities in BiH, CSOs, educators, athletes, artists, government representatives, marginalized groups, media organizations, and the public. Aim: Foster multicultural cooperation and dialogue, promote intercommunity exchange, collaboration, and joint projects, create positive change contributing to a multicultural, peaceful, and stable BiH, and increase tolerance and cooperation between ethnically
Read more →Target group: Investigative journalists and newsrooms/freelancers eligible for funding and support from all 27 EU member states and the following non-EU countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine. Aim: To support cross-border investigative journalism projects by providing grants to journalistic teams, including newsrooms and freelance journalists, enabling
Read more →Target group: Young cultural practitioners and youth oriented CSOs in the field of culture Aim: To support youth cultural activism and foster creative solutions for social and political issues in the Western Balkans. It seeks to provide opportunities for young individuals in the cultural and creative sectors, promote cultural cooperation within the region, and recognize
Read more →Target group: CSOs, journalists, researchers, and vulnerable/marginalized groups in North Macedonia. Aim: To promote and protect human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law in North Macedonia. Specific objectives include advancing rule of law and democratic institutions, protecting and empowering individuals, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Amount: between 90,000 and 150,000 EUR, covering 60%
Read more →Target group: Potential young social entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The WISEs4Youth conference explores EU support policies for youth social entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans, featuring outcomes, tools, and policy recommendations, along with young participants’ experiences. Open to the public, it blends in-person and Zoom attendance, highlighting regional initiatives and
Read more →Target group: Journalists from Central and South-Eastern Europe as well as the central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). Countries: Central and South-Eastern Europe Short Description: BIRN is inviting applications for its annual Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence under the theme “Voices.” Successful applicants will receive a 3,000 EUR bursary, collaborate with world-class editors,
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