News and updates from BCSDN and the region
All over the world, associations, independent media outlets, and NGOs – all of which often constitute the last critical bulwark against totalitarian abuses – are facing new laws aimed at curbing their activities by depriving them of means, and at discrediting them. In most cases, this roots from the genuine paranoia of closed political regimes
Read more →As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the crackdown on environmental activism. Civicus Monitor’s new report for COP26 looks at 3 worrying trends: bans and restrictions on protests, judicial harassment and legal persecution, use of violence & vilification. Research examines the crackdown on environmental activism and profiles important victories civil society has scored in the
Read more →“World Protests: A Study of Key Protest Issues in the 21st Century” is a recent publication that provides the background and methodology of the study, including the countries covered. This book presents the results of a protest event analysis undertaken in 2013 and 2020 by a team of four researchers. The study analyzes data on
Read more →The extraordinary circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic set new standards, habits and conditions. In the previous period, we had to adapt and start following new models in life and work. Catalyst Balkan has prepared a list of software and instructional videos for their use, which will improve the performance of your organization in these
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness, in partnership with the Reality of Aid Network, has published the CSO Handbook on Private Sector Engagement. With the help of this handbook, it is hoped that CSOs themselves will be able to produce monitoring reports and integrate them within their respective advocacies and, ultimately, help ensure that private
Read more →Few organizations working on women`s rights issues and gender equality published a commentary on the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) regarding it`s genders perspectives. Considering the significant gender inequalities that persist in the Western Balkans, furthering gender equality in all sectors is essential for progress on reforms and towards development more generally. Indeed, gender equality
Read more →If democracy assistance is supposed to enhance democratic practice, it should not be aggregated with programs designed to improve health, education, the environment, or economic growth, notes a recent article on the latest USAID`s report. Carefully tailored democracy assistance packages can positively affect democratization independent of factors that influence the decision to provide aid, research
Read more →On the 4th of November, as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated its 60th anniversary, USAID Administrator Samantha Power delivered remarks outlining a bold vision for the future of USAID and inclusive development around the world. Read more here. Source: USAID
Read more →Humanitarians are already being forced to deal with the impacts, losses and damages of climate change-related risks and disasters, like floods, cyclones and droughts. And while there is increasing acknowledgement that the climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis, many humanitarian organisations haven’t determined yet how to best address climate crises in their activities. New article
Read more →Target groups: Informal or registered organizations from the Western Balkans. Aim: Providing rapid funding (in the form of expert support or direct funding for regional actions) for CSOs’ immediate needs or innovation whenever they need to address some challenging situation and protect civic space. Grant amount: Max 10,000 EUR (total funding available 340,000 EUR). Duration:
Read more →Target groups: CSOs registered in Montenegro Aim: Contribution to the development and growth of small business in Montenegro, through the improvement of competitiveness through their transformation with the support of the ecosystem of stakeholders. Grant amount: up to 9 months Duration: EUR 25.800 – EUR 43.000 Link to the original call (Norveshka za vas)
Read more →Target groups: Individuals; Grassroot initiatives (unregistered); Registered CSOs Aim: Better promote arts and culture through a wider range of activities that will take place throughout North Macedonia; Organize activities that will raise awareness and aim to educate in preserving and safeguarding our planet as part of the EU Green Deal and WB Green Agenda. Grant
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