News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Civil Society Europe has launched preparations for the Civil Society State of the Union 2027, inviting EU-level CSOs to contribute to a collective assessment of democracy, civic participation and key societal challenges across the European Union. Building on previous editions published in 2023 and 2025, the report aims to complement the European Commission President’s annual
Read more →The “Flamingo Revolution” has become one of Albania’s most prominent environmental civic movements, driven by concerns over legislative changes that weaken protections for protected areas and enable large-scale tourism and infrastructure developments. Led by environmental organisations and supported by citizens nationwide, the campaign has focused on safeguarding the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area, one of the Mediterranean’s
Read more →Ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report, 37 civil society, human rights, journalism, and media organisations have called for a more robust and action-oriented approach to protecting the rule of law across the EU and candidate countries. They argue that the annual report has become a routine monitoring exercise
Read more →Eurothink – Centre for European Strategies has published the 2026 edition of its Eurobarometer survey, examining citizens’ perceptions of democracy, EU integration, foreign policy, public institutions and information sources in North Macedonia. The findings show a moderate recovery in support for EU membership, with 58% of respondents viewing accession as beneficial and 66% considering the
Read more →During the second meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF), stakeholders reviewed progress in implementing North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda and discussed ways to strengthen oversight of the reform process. Contributing to the discussion, the European Policy Institute (EPI) highlighted the importance of ensuring structured, transparent, and meaningful participation of CSOs
Read more →The SafeJournalists Network has expressed concern over the targeting of researcher Getoarbe Mulliqi and journalist and academic Dinko Gruhonjić following the publication of their analysis on media reporting about dealing with the past in the Western Balkans. According to the Network, the authors were subjected to a smear campaign initiated by a Serbian tabloid, using
Read more →A new analysis by the EU System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) highlights the growing global use of “foreign agents” legislation to restrict civic space, limit access to funding and undermine the legitimacy of CSOs. Drawing on evidence from 86 countries through the EU SEE Early Warning Mechanism, it shows how
Read more →Seventeen years after introducing rules on public participation in lawmaking, Slovenia continues to fall short on ensuring transparent and inclusive legislative processes. According to newly published data, the current government adopted 1,945 laws, regulations, and rulebooks, but only 659 proposals (33%) were open for the required 30-day public consultation period. Compliance was particularly low in
Read more →A new report, Putting Out Fires till They Burn Out, examines how feminist and LGBTQI+ organisations in the South Caucasus and Western Balkans sustain their work amid war legacies, authoritarianism, economic insecurity, and shrinking civic space. Drawing on 87 interviews conducted between 2022 and 2024, alongside ethnographic research and grants analysis, the report argues that
Read more →As part of its 2026 State of Civil Society Report, CIVICUS has launched a series of country interviews through its CIVICUS Lens initiative exploring the drivers and impact of emerging civic movements worldwide. The series accompanies the report’s focus on the global rise of Gen Z-led protests, identifying youth mobilisation as one of the defining
Read more →Ahead of the European Council discussions on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a broad coalition of European CSOs has called for an ambitious EU budget that reflects the Union’s geopolitical, social and environmental challenges. The statement urges increased investment in social cohesion, research, education, climate action, culture and civil society, alongside a strong external
Read more →Target Group: CSOs, sectoral CSO networks, and platforms in North Macedonia registered under the Law on Associations and Foundations for at least three years. The call supports both individual CSOs and existing civil society networks. Aim: To strengthen structured, systematic, and evidence-based civil society participation in North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations and the implementation, monitoring,
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