News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: CSOs in WB6 operating in the fields of media, freedom of expression, digital technologies, education, human rights, or gender equality. Aim: Strengthening capacities of CSOs to promote media activism and counter disinformation and polarisation in the Western Balkans. Amount: In each country, the budget available for grants totals 46.500 EUR (except for Kosovo,
Read more →Target group: Civil servants working in the administrations of the National Parliaments in the WB6 Aim: To contribute to EU integration-driven reforms in the Western Balkans Parliament’s administrations. The program seeks to achieve this by building the capacities of individuals working as agents of change in the public sector. These align with broader efforts to
Read more →Target group: Expert with experience on NGOs and/or/ networks, coalitions, alliances, and consortia of CSOs Countries: International Short Description: The assignment involves reviewing the existing BCSDN Advocacy Strategy, proposing improvements, developing an Advocacy Monitoring Tool for systematic progress tracking, and supporting BCSDN in its implementation. The tool will document advocacy work, assess achieved outcomes, guide
Read more →Target group: Companies, businesses, and citizens who have undertaken philanthropic initiatives contributing to positive societal change throughout 2023. Countries: Serbia Short Description: Trag Foundation announces the 17th VIRTUS Award for Philanthropy, recognizing positive societal contributions in 2023. Supported by USAID, OAK Foundation, and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the award includes a special category for empowering
Read more →Target group: Young leaders from Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia Countries: Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia Short Description: The program supports youth in shaping public policy, focusing on the Green Agenda. Thirty selected participants, aged 18-30, will gain knowledge, skills, and a network to advocate for green policies. The school emphasizes diversity and aims to
Read more →Target group: Volunteer or paid project officers, project managers, or similar roles in international youth organizations or networks with Council of Europe grants or intending to apply in the future. Countries: Country signatory of the European Cultural Convention Short Description: The course aims to enhance project management skills for individuals working in international youth organizations.
Read more →Target group: Young civil servants from the WB6, specifically those representing ministries involved in foreign and EU affairs or regional cooperation. Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The program aims to enhance participants’ knowledge of EU affairs, focusing on the enlargement process, soft skills, and negotiation techniques. The program features interactive lectures, workshops, a simulation game,
Read more →Catalyst Balkans and BCSDN present the third edition of “Mapping Donors in the Western Balkans”. The report provides valuable insights into the current donor landscape, focusing on bilateral, multilateral, and private foundations, and corporate donors supporting civil society. Key questions addressed include the donors’ activity levels, areas of focus, and interactions with funded organizations. The research
Read more →The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is inviting representatives from employers’ organizations, trade unions, and CSOs in EU candidate countries to apply for the role of “enlargement candidate members” (ECMs). This initiative allows for the active involvement of civil society from candidate countries in the EESC’s work as external participants. The ECMs will contribute
Read more →In early 2023, the Georgian Parliament introduced two draft laws on foreign funding for civil society and media, which drew criticism for violating international standards. ECNL and ICNL conducted analyses of the two draft laws, presenting how they would violate international standards and harm the Georgian people Despite strong political support, mass protests pressure from CSOs,
Read more →The Investigative Journalism for Europe (IJ4EU) fund presents its fifth edition, offering 2 million EUR in grants for cross-border investigations across Europe. Open to journalists across greater number of countries than before, the program includes grants of up to 50,000 EUR, along with training, mentoring, legal help, and new collaboration tools. IJ4EU, led by the
Read more →DLA Piper, ECNL, and PILnet present the Global Nonprofits Guide, a free tool facilitating the navigation of nonprofit laws worldwide. This resource assists in establishing nonprofits, covering diverse legal aspects, from registration and governance structures to compliance with employment and tax regulations. The guide includes information on reporting requirements, funding rules, and the process of
Read more →