What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme – North Macedonia (Deadline: 10 August)

Target Group: Legally registered CSOs and community-based organizations in North Macedonia. Aim: To support locally led, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation, while improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive local governance. Countries: North Macedonia Amount: Up to USD 30,000 per project (with minimum 50% co-financing required) Duration: 12 to

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CfP: North Macedonia: Human Rights and Democracy Thematic Programme 2025-2026 (Deadline: 31 August)

Target Group: CSOs, human rights defenders, vulnerable and marginalised groups (including persons with disabilities, Roma, LGBTIQ+ persons, children at risk, former prisoners), local communities, public institutions, and other stakeholders working on human rights, democracy, and fundamental freedoms. Aim: To increase the protection and promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law

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CfP: EU Support for Civil Society and Media in Montenegro: Call for Proposals on Public Policy, Local Development and EU Integration (Deadline: 28 July)

Target Group: CSOs and networks registered in Montenegro for at least 24 months. Aim: To strengthen participatory democracy and Montenegro’s EU integration process through enhanced civil society engagement in public policymaking, local development, transparency, accountability, rule of law reforms, and cooperation with public institutions. Country: Montenegro Amount: EUR 700,000–750,000 per grant (total call budget: EUR

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CfA: Transparency School 2026 (Deadline: 15 June)

Short Description: Transparency School 2026 is an international training and networking programme focused on transparency, anti-corruption, accountability, and good governance. The programme brings together participants from around the world for expert-led discussions, practical learning, and peer exchange. Target Group: Senior students, graduates, and young professionals from the public, private, civil society, and academic sectors interested

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CfA: BIRN Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence (Deadline: 22 June)

Short Description: The Kosovo Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is a six-month programme supporting aspiring and mid-career journalists in producing in-depth investigative stories on issues of public interest, while benefiting from professional editorial mentorship and publication opportunities through leading media platforms. Target Group: Aspiring and mid-career journalists aged 18–35 with at least three years of professional

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CfA: Balkan SAYS 2026: Youth Security Conference (Deadline: 10 July)

Short Description: Balkan SAYS 2026 is an international youth security conference bringing together students, young professionals, policymakers, and experts to discuss contemporary security, foreign policy, and Euro-Atlantic challenges through panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Target Group: Students and young professionals aged 20–35 with a background or strong interest in international relations, security and defence,

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CfA: Matra Rule of Law Training Programme 2026–2027 (Deadline: Multiple)

Short Description: The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is a fully funded professional development programme offering hybrid training courses on democratic institutions, human rights, public integrity, public procurement, administration of justice, border management, and public service delivery. Participants will gain practical knowledge, exchange experiences with peers from the region, and become part of an

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Serbia’s Students Are Not Giving Up: When Accountability Meets Resistance

What began as a reaction to the Novi Sad railway station tragedy has evolved into one of Serbia’s largest civic mobilisations in recent history. Led by students and supported by citizens, workers, academics, farmers, and trade unions, the movement has grown into a broader call for accountability, institutional responsibility, transparent governance, and democratic renewal. At

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Trust and Partnership at the Heart of EU Enlargement: BCSDN Brings Civil Society Priorities to High-Level EESC Conference

BCSDN participated in the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference organised by the EESC in Vienna under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Held ahead of the upcoming EU–Western Balkans Summit, the conference brought together representatives of EU institutions, governments, CSOs, and policy experts to discuss enlargement, democratic resilience,

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Hajde4EU Launches 2025 Assessment of EU Support to Civil Society

CSOs across the Western Balkans and Türkiye are invited to contribute to the 2025 assessment of the DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society 2021–2027, conducted by Hajde4EU on behalf of the European Commission (DG ENEST). The survey explores key issues affecting civil society, including civic space, legal frameworks, public funding, and CSO

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Kos: Albania Enters the Final Stage of EU Accession Negotiations

Albania has officially entered the concluding phase of its EU accession negotiations after fulfilling the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements under Cluster 1 “Fundamentals”, becoming only the second candidate country after Montenegro to reach this stage. Speaking at the latest Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos described the development

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