What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CPDE Opinion on the 2021 UN HLPF Ministerial Declaration

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) held from 6th- 15th July 2021 concluded with adopting the Ministerial Declaration. The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) reflects on some of the most important parts of its content. While acknowledging that the Declaration recognizes the significance of addressing the pandemic’s challenges, CPDE alludes that this perception is inconsistent with

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Regional Youth Compact for Europe: Transformative Youth Potential for Better Future in the Western Balkans

The research study prepared by the Regional Youth Compact for Europe identifies the transformational potentials of Western Balkan’s youth in the EU integration processes. The study outlines the key drivers for youth participation in decision-making processes and the link between youth motivation and the perspectives concerning the EU and its core values. It also covers

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The Civic Space Restrictions and Soaring Inequalities Worldwide

By sharing examples of the 2021 Civicus State of Civil Society report, CIVICUS Secretary-General Ms. Lysa John points to the urgent peoples’ action against the civic space restrictions. Ms. John asserts protests have been spurred by indications that the pandemic was being used as a pretext to increase the economic hardship of ordinary people during pandemics

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Media Pluralism Monitor 2021: Balkan’s Media Deterioration During Pandemic

The report scrutinizes four key risk areas: fundamental protection, market plurality, political independence, and social inclusiveness to reflect the general stagnation and deterioration in media freedom and pluralism in the Balkans in 2020. In the fundamental security, which encompasses protecting freedom of information, right to information, and journalistic standards, North Macedonia scores best out of all

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Civicus Monitor Report on Turkey: Mass Protests Over Istanbul Convention, LGBTI Rights, and Journalists Freedoms Targeted Again

The latest Civicus Monitor Report for Turkey, a research update provided by BCSDN and published by Civicus, covering recent information on the state of the freedom of association, assembly, and expression, reflects on worrisome trends of the civil society and journalist position in the country. Due to complete restrictions on LGBTI events, including Pride marches,

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SERBIA: Ugly Twins as a New Way of Attacking Local Media

The analysis based on Reporters Without Borders (RSF) findings reflects that fake websites’ attacks on some local Serbian media contribute to lower media’s trust and revenues. Besides the ongoing online and direct threats from the governing party representatives, the Serbian independent media are also targeted by their digital look-alikes. The report shows that some of

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TURKEY: Foreign Funding of CSOs – Statement by TUSEV

In a statement, BCSDN’s member from Turkey, TUSEV, working on providing an enabling environment for civil society development regarding legal, financial, and functional aspects, expresses its concerns about social media and other medium narratives on CSOs receiving foreign funds. The letter points that the statements about creating suspicion and labeling institutions that receive foreign funds

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ECNL: Did the UN Human Rights Council Strengthen Protection of Civic Space Online and Offline?

ECNL welcomes the adoption of the resolutions related to the digital sphere during the 47th session of the Human Rights Council and analyses to what extent the new language of the three resolutions (‘Civil society space resolution’, ‘Human rights on the Internet resolution’ and ‘Emerging technologies and human rights resolution’) provides safeguards for online manifestation

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SERBIA: Attacks on Civil Society Organizations and Activists in 2020

A case study delivered by the Program Director of BCSDN’s member Civic Initiatives, Bojana Selakovic, and published by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, reveals the operating environment of social actors who expressed critical views of Serbia’s current political and social situation worsened significantly in 2020. The pandemic’s circumstances have contributed to the further polarization

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DACoP Accountability in Action: Rebalancing Power

On 5th August 2021, the Dynamic Accountability Community of Practice (DACoP) organized a workshop on Rebalancing Power. The aim of the workshop was to identify and reflect concrete steps for creating more equitable and just relationships with collaborators, partners, and participants. Divided into groups, the participants shared experiences on the power they hold to examine

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Global SDG Accountability Report

The Global SDG Accountability Report aims to survey the current state of accountability for the 2030 Agenda at subnational, national, and international levels. It provides expert insights and analyzes the observations and inputs from the SDG Accountability Survey, filled by different stakeholders worldwide. The report also includes perceptions and recommendations for advancing accountability for the

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Partners Albania’s Second Edition of Philanthropy Magazine

The second edition of Philanthropy Magazine published by BCSDN’s member Partners Albania for Change and Development registers different initiatives for developing and promoting philanthropy in Albania in the last six months. A particular focus has been dedicated to crowdfunding through the Giving Circle live crowdfunding event and the first Albanian crowdfunding platform Smile.al. Philanthropy is

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