News and updates from BCSDN and the region
More than 30 Albanian CSOs, independent media outlets and human rights defenders, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement condemning recurring smear campaigns and public attacks against journalists, activists and civil society. The signatories warn that these attacks are part of a broader pattern aimed at shifting attention away from issues
Read more →Serbia’s failure to open Cluster 3 in its EU accession negotiations has reinforced concerns that meaningful democratic reforms remain a prerequisite for further progress in the enlargement process. Despite legislative efforts and last-minute reform commitments, persistent shortcomings in the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom, institutional accountability and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign
Read more →The SafeJournalists Network has called for an urgent investigation into death threats against Rami Mislimi, a journalist with Tetova Sot, following his reporting on the President of the Tetovo Municipal Council. According to the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), Mislimi received phone threats targeting both him and his minor child, demanding the removal of
Read more →The Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) has renewed its call for the full decriminalisation of offences against honour and reputation, urging the Government to remove insult and defamation from the Criminal Code as part of the upcoming legislative amendments. While welcoming Croatia’s new Anti-SLAPP law, HND warns that its safeguards do not extend to criminal proceedings,
Read more →Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution,” which began in opposition to controversial tourism developments affecting protected natural areas, has evolved into a broader anti-government movement demanding political accountability. The latest protests escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police outside Parliament, while journalist Vjolanda Peca of Citizens.al was reportedly arrested while covering the demonstrations, prompting renewed concerns over media
Read more →Recent civic mobilisations across the Western Balkans point to a broader shift from issue-specific protests towards demands for accountable governance, institutional transparency and democratic responsiveness. From the Novi Sad railway station tragedy and environmental protests against the Rio Tinto project in Serbia, to demonstrations over the Zvërnec–Narta development in Albania, anti-corruption protests in North Macedonia,
Read more →A new research brief by People Powered synthesises findings from 66 studies across 24 countries, highlighting the positive impact of citizens’ assemblies on democratic participation and governance. The review finds that citizens’ assemblies strengthen participants’ political knowledge, deliberation skills and sense of political efficacy, while fostering dialogue across different viewpoints and reducing polarisation. Beyond individual
Read more →The EU’s Growth Plan is reshaping the enlargement process by making financial support increasingly conditional on the delivery of measurable reforms rather than commitments alone. Through performance-based funding and Reform Agendas, the initiative strengthens the link between democratic reforms, gradual integration into the EU Single Market and eventual accession. At the halfway point of implementation,
Read more →Target Group: Journalists and media outlets based in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including freelancers, newsroom journalists, multimedia teams and media organisations interested in cross-border reporting. Aim: To support original cross-border journalistic reporting from the Balkans through travel grants, editorial guidance and regional expertise, strengthening cooperation between the Visegrad region and the Balkans. Countries: Eligible
Read more →Target Group: Individual investigative journalists or teams (up to three members) from the Western Balkans with proven investigative experience and a confirmed media outlet committed to publishing the story. Aim: To support in-depth, cross-border investigative journalism on issues of regional significance, focusing on environment, public space, civic rights and activists, decent work, and media. The call aims
Read more →Target Group: Non-profit legal entities established in EU Member States (lead applicants). Co-applicants may be non-profit or for-profit legal entities (public or private), with for-profit entities eligible only in partnership with private non-profit organisations. Projects may be national or transnational. Aim: To protect, promote and raise awareness of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by supporting
Read more →Target Group: Legally registered non-governmental organisations, informal groups led by a registered NGO, and informal consortia of NGOs, educational institutions, local authorities and other legally registered entities led by a registered NGO. Applicants must have completed the AGREE training programme, be registered for at least two years, and be based in North Macedonia. Aim: To strengthen the
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