News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Ms. Maja Stojanovic and Ms. Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska have been elected to join the BCSDN board with immediate effect. Ms. Maja Stojanovic, Executive Director of Civic Initiatives, has over 15 years of experience in civil society and brings expertise in advocacy, policy analysis, and project management to the BCSDN board. Ms. Snezhana Kamilovska Trpovska, Project
Read more →BCSDN has welcomed the recommendations made by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding the protection of fundamental rights and civic space. The recommendations call for creating an enabling environment for civil society, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, and supporting the development of a vibrant and pluralistic civil society. BCSDN praised the efforts
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) held an All-Country Meeting in Paris to discuss effective country work and gather inputs for its new Strategic Plan. Participants explored a range of topics related to civic space advocacy and CSO representation in global forums. The meeting highlighted the importance of effective country and regional work, as
Read more →The Civicus Monitor 2022 provides an overview of the state of civic freedoms and democratic practices in countries worldwide. The report presents the significant declines in civic space in many countries, with governments imposing restrictions on CSOs, media outlets, and freedom of assembly. The COVID-19 pandemic has been used as a pretext for increased surveillance
Read more →In its recent article, LevizAlbania expressed support for efforts to protect the environment in Albania. The article underscores the significance of safeguarding the environment to achieve sustainable development and guarantee the well-being of future generations. LevizAlbania advocates for developing effective policies and regulations to promote environmental protection and believes that the government plays a crucial
Read more →The European Parliament has approved new measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the European Union. The measures include creating a new EU authority to oversee the implementation of anti-money laundering regulations, harmonizing rules across all member states, and increasing transparency and information sharing among financial institutions. The new authority will have the
Read more →Montenegro is set to impose a social solidarity tax on company profits to redistribute wealth and reduce inequality. The tax will be levied at a rate of 2% on company profits exceeding EUR 3 million and is expected to raise around EUR 15 million annually. The government has said that the funds will be used
Read more →CSOs in North Macedonia have requested the Government to ensure transparency and restore the dialogue regarding state funding for CSOs. The Government’s financial support for CSOs has been a topic of concern, as the organizations claim that the funding has not been distributed fairly, and in some cases, it has been reduced or withheld entirely
Read more →The Republika Srpska recently passed a new law called the “Red Line Law” which limits freedom of expression and could be used to silence Government critics. The law punishes anyone who insults or offends symbols of the entity, including the flag and anthem, with fines and up to three years in prison. The law has
Read more →A group of human rights activists was physically assaulted by a mob of protestors at an LGBT event in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. The event was organized in defiance of a government ban on all public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The attack highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBT rights in the country, where discrimination
Read more →The European Civic Forum (ECF) has released its 2023 Civic Space Report on Romania, highlighting the state of civic freedoms and democratic participation in the country. The report finds that while there are some positive developments, including increased funding for CSOs and improvements in transparency and accountability, there are also significant challenges facing Romanian civil
Read more →A report published by the International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon) highlights the importance of implementing common standards for CSOs. The report notes that adopting common standards can help enhance the accountability, effectiveness, and credibility of CSOs. It also emphasizes that implementing common standards can serve as a means to counter negative narratives and
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