What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: French Embassy North Macedonia – Civil Society Partnership Projects 2026 (Deadline: 15 July)

Target Group: CSOs and civil society actors in North Macedonia eligible for project partnership funding from the French Embassy. Aim: To support civil society projects aligned with French-Macedonian cooperation priorities, including democracy, cultural dialogue, and community development. Countries: North Macedonia Amount: Should not exceed EUR 5,000 and may represent no more than 75% of the total project budget. Duration: Max

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CfP: Strengthening Movements for Gender Equality (Deadline: 7 August)

Target Group: Coalitions of at least 3 legally registered non-profit organisations (CSOs, social enterprises, national/regional funds), with a focus on small and medium-sized grassroots organisations working on gender equality and supporting marginalised women, transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Networks and intermediaries are eligible if applying in coalition with grassroots organisations. Aim: To strengthen collaboration

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CfP: European Endowment for Democracy (EED) – Ongoing Call for Proposals (Deadline: 31 December)

Target Group: CSOs, civic movements, independent media, journalists, bloggers, youth groups, informal platforms, artists, and individual activists working to advance democracy. Official registration is not required. Aim: To support pro-democracy actors promoting pluralistic democratic systems, with a particular focus on organisations, initiatives, and individuals that cannot be supported through existing EU instruments or other donor

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CfP: DRK Foundation – Early-Stage Social Impact Funding (Deadline: Ongoing)

Target Group: Early-stage nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organisations (up to 10 years old) operating in Africa, Europe, India, the United States, and, in selected cases, Latin America. Aim: To support innovative, scalable solutions addressing major social and environmental challenges affecting underserved communities. DRK prioritises organisations with demonstrated impact, sustainable business models, and strong potential for

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CfA: Youth Participation Award in North Macedonia 2026 (Deadline: 7 July)

Short Description: The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, in cooperation with the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM) and the OSCE Mission to Skopje, invites nominations for the 2026 Youth Participation Award. The award recognises outstanding youth-led initiatives that demonstrate active participation, social impact, and sustainable contributions to community development. Awards will be

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CfA: BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting 2026 (Deadline: 10 July)

Short Description: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) invites applications for its Summer School of Investigative Reporting, taking place from 17–23 August in Ohrid, North Macedonia. The intensive programme combines practical training in investigative journalism, cross-border reporting, OSINT, data journalism, digital verification, and security, while providing participants with mentorship from leading international journalists and editors to

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CfA: Mentorship Programme for CSOs in North Macedonia (Deadline: Ongoing)

Short Description: The Civil Society Resource Centre has launched a mentorship programme to strengthen the organisational capacities and long-term sustainability of CSOs in North Macedonia. Selected organisations will receive tailored support from experienced mentors in areas such as good governance, strategic planning, project and financial management, advocacy, communications, volunteer management, digital transformation, fundraising diversification, Erasmus+,

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CfA: Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2027/2028 (Deadline: Varies by country)

Short Description: A fully funded, non-degree professional fellowship in the United States for mid-career professionals. The programme combines academic enrichment, leadership development and a six-week professional affiliation with U.S. institutions to strengthen leadership, foster international collaboration and address global development challenges. Target Group: Mid-career professionals with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), at least five years

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BCSDN Welcomes TÜSEV Secretary General Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board

BCSDN has welcomed Güneş Engin Karamancı to its Board, further strengthening the network’s regional perspective and expertise in civic space, democracy, and civil society development. As Secretary General of TÜSEV, Enlargement Candidate Member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), and a member of the European Civic Forum (ECF), Güneş brings extensive experience in

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Albania: Growing Public Opposition to Development Plans in Vjosa–Narta Protected Area

Thousands of citizens, environmental organisations, and local activists have protested against planned tourism developments in Albania’s Vjosa–Narta protected area, citing concerns over potential impacts on one of the country’s most important coastal ecosystems and habitats for migratory birds, flamingos, sea turtles, and other protected species. More than 98,000 people have signed a public petition calling

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EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference in Vienna Focused on Trust, Civic Engagement and the Future of EU Enlargement

EESC convened the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference in Vienna on 29 May under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Bringing together civil society representatives, policymakers, social partners, EU institutions, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans and EU Member States, the event focused on how to strengthen

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