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Events and Opportunities 14 June 2023

CfA: Konektor Philanthropy East Forum 2023 (Happening: 24-26 September)

Target group: Philanthropists, social investors, NGOs, policymakers, and researchers Countries: Participants from across Europe and beyond are encouraged to apply Short description: The Konektor Philanthropy East Forum 2023 is inviting applications to participate in its upcoming event, which serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among philanthropists, social investors, NGOs, policymakers, and

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News 31 May 2023

BCSDN Continues its Monitoring Matrix Revision Process

The recent workshop hosted by BCSDN in Podgorica focused on revising the Methodology of the Monitoring Matrix (the MM toolkit). BCSDN members implementing the MM tool, collaborated to determine specific changes needed in separate sub-areas and indicators. Presentations from group members, peer-review discussions, as well as a revised version of the MM indicators were shared.

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News 31 May 2023

BCSDN at EU TACSO 3 Civil Society Forum for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023

From 31 May- 1 June, EU TACSO 3 organized the Civil Society Forum for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023 in Podgorica to discuss the findings of the baseline assessment against the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region 2021 – 2027 and to contribute to the future action

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News 31 May 2023

Freedom House: Democratic Institutions in the Western Balkans Continued to Falter in 2022

The Freedom House Nations in Transit 2023 report reveals that democratic institutions in the Western Balkans continued to stagnate in 2022. The slight improvements in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia were balanced by declines in Montenegro and BiH, while Serbia’s score remained unchanged. The EU has granted BiH candidate status while Kosovo has submitted their

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News 31 May 2023

Protecting Civic Space with OECD Scan

OECD Civic Space Scan is a qualitative analysis of the laws, policies, institutions, and practices that support civic space in OECD member and partner countries. Designed to protect fundamental freedoms and promote good practice, the scan is based on tailored, timely, and actionable recommendations, assisting the governments’ reactions to ongoing challenges and opportunities in protecting

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society 2021-2027 Baseline Assessment Report 2021

EU TACSO 3 published the first assessment against the revised DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region, 2021-2027. The guidelines highlight the results for EU assistance to civil society in the enlargement region over the next seven years. It provides evidence for the situation against the Guidelines’ indicators for

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

SERBIA: Belgrade’s Protests Against Media Censorship and Violence

Two massive protests were held in Belgrade in the last two weeks, railing against the Serbian government officials, after the fierce events and massive murders, and the promotion of violence in the media. Recognized as the largest since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) came to power one decade ago, the protests called for resignation of

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety in Albania 2022

Safe Journalists Network in Albania, along with the Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV), published the Report Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety in Albania 2022, reflecting on the media freedom and safety of journalists in the country. The annual report provides an in-depth analysis of the prevailing challenges, current

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

European Civic Forum Response to the EC Consultation on the Defense of Democracy Package

The European Commission has published its consultation on the Defense of Democracy package, aiming to bring legislative and non-legislative measures to strengthen resilience to covert foreign interference and encourage civic engagement in the European democracies. As part of the package, the Commission plans to introduce a directive for “common transparency and accountability standards for interest

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

Price of the Free Speech: Analysis of Court Proceedings with the Characteristics of SLAPP in Bulgaria

The analysis prepared by the Anti-corruption Fund is a systematic review of the legal practice on SLAPP cases in Bulgaria for the period 2000 – March 2023. The analysis provides an outline of the concept, the emergence, the significance, and the effects of the SLAPPs, by presenting country’s specific examples, revealing the Bulgarian dimension of

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Civic Space 31 May 2023

Liberties: Petition on the Ban the Use of Sensitive Data for Political Advertising

Liberties is summoning CSOs and activists to take a stand for citizens’ voting autonomy by signing a petition. The rationale is to prevent certain politicians from carrying out voter fraud using sensitive data about race, religion, sexual orientation, or health. The letter asks citizens to be the ones choosing the leaders and allowed to protect

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CSO Accountability 31 May 2023

[INVITATION] BCSDN Second RACoP Thematic Event: How Can NGO Partnerships Support Community- led Development? (6 June, 11 AM CET)

BCSDN invites activists, CS practitioners, and RACoP members to join the second thematic event of the Regional Accountability Community of Practice group and dive deep into the concept of “community-led” development in the Balkans and, by sharing international examples, examine how it can create real, lasting change. By exploring what community-led looks like in practice,

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