What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: Research Forum “Foundations, Science and Equality – What are the Key Elements for Success?” (Happening: 21 April)

Target group: Research-funding foundations, research institutes, universities, and other stakeholders engaged in the research sector Countries: International/Europe Short description: The Philea Research Forum is focusing its biannual conference on this topic, to foster an open discussion between the philanthropic players in the field and universities, research institutes, public authorities, and any other stakeholders in this

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Economist Democracy Index 2021: North Macedonia and Montenegro Upgraded to “Flawed Democracies”

According to Economist`s Democracy Index 2021 – an index that measures the state of democracy based on the electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties, Montenegro and North Macedonia have transitioned from hybrid regimes to flawed democracies. Although all the counties in the region are noting slight

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Representation and Participation: Two Faces of a Strong Democracy

After the Conference on the Future of Europe, in a recently published article, the European Civic Forum amplifies some key takeaways from the citizen’s panels, namely that the EU must change to deliver social, economic, environmental, and democratic integration. Advocating for people-centered and people-powered policymaking, the article seeks fulfillment of the requirements for the institutions

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Policy Brief: The EU as a Promoter of Democracy or ‘Stabilitocracy’ in the Western Balkans?

Recently published policy brief, authored by multiple experts in the field, explores the role of the enlargement process in the democratization of the Western Balkans 6 (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The report identifies eight flaws in the EU’s strategies, policies, and implementation that are believed to contribute to stabilitocracy

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International Standards for Protecting the Climate and Its Defenders

International Centre for Not for Profit Law has published a guide aiming to map out the scope of standards that protect the environmental activists’ rights to association, peaceful assembly, expression, and participation in decision-making, the type of restrictions that affect the space for environmental defenders and the mechanisms that they can use to enforce their

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VAT Refund for CSO in Albania is Finally Happening

Partners Albania for Change and Development, our member organization from Albania, that has been one of the key actors advocating and leading the process for regulations of the VAT refund for CSOs in the country, has announced that the reimbursement has officially started. Namely, the General Directorate of Taxes has reimbursed four projects that have

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Advocacy Handbook by The European Youth Forum

In this handbook, published by the European Youth Forum, CSO representatives can find the keys to engaging in meaningful advocacy action: core concepts to be mastered, practical frameworks to be followed to plan actions, do’s and don’ts to avoid the most common mistakes and inspiring examples from the CSO sector. Read more here. Source: YFJ

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Guidelines: How to Organize Virtual and Hybrid Event?

USAID has supported the publication of a guideline manual for organizing virtual and hybrid events, aiming to help a wide range of entities to maintain a presence? and relevance in their field while adapting to the “new normal” brought by the COVID-19 pandemics. The guidelines offer practical tools and useful tips and tricks which will

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IPA III CSF has Ongoing Consultation Process with Stakeholders

For the needs of Delegations of the European Union to Montenegro and North Macedonia, the EU TACSO 3 project is organizing online consultation regarding the Civil Society Facility (CSF) and Media Programme 2021–23, Action for Montenegro and Action to North Macedonia. Altho the processes are simultaneously ongoing, the consultations in both countries are using different

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