News and updates from BCSDN and the region
On 14 June 2021, BCSDN Executive Director Ms. Biljana Spasovska participated in the “Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Western Balkans: Old tools for new rules?” event organized by the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” (IDSCS), the Politikon Network and the Center for Contemporary Politics. The conference reflected the ongoing rule of law reform
Read more →In its latest analysis, BiH Journalists as a part of the Safe Journalists Network reflect that the new Law on Freedom of Access to Information in BiH must not be an obsticle for media workers in the country. In contrast, the law must enable more transparent work of institutions on access to information and provide
Read more →The Regional Government & Civil Society Forum on AML/CTF processes co-organized by the Financial Intelligence Office of the Finance Ministry of R. Macedonia, ECNL, and the Association Konekt gathered 90 participants from 22 jurisdictions representing governments, the Financial Action Task Force regional body Moneyval, banks, and NPOs. The speakers and the participants pointed the impact
Read more →On 10 June 2021, during the Plenary Debate on the Charter of Fundamental Rights & EU Democracy with European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) asked for CSOs and citizens to be more actively involved in standing up for democracy and the rule of law in the EU. The debate aimed to extend
Read more →On 7 June 2021, the Civil Society Convention on the Future of Europe organized an event for the start of the Conference. The discussion brought representatives of the European Commission and the Parliament members who, together with the Convention participants, among which BCSDN EO representatives, reflected on the scope of civil society participation in the
Read more →The eighth annual Opinion Poll prepared by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) examines public perceptions of citizens’ trust in institutions, transparency and accountability, corruption, citizens’ engagement in policy and decision-making, satisfaction with public service delivery enforcement of non-discriminatory laws, and policies. The publication presents a critical perspective to the monitoring framework of major
Read more →On 1-2 June 2021, the Civil Society & Think Tank Forum of the 2021 Berlin Process, initiated by the German government, discussed the scope and the success of the Berlin Process. The forum brought prominent participants and high-level officers, which focused on specific issues, including WB civil society ownership of the process; civil society as
Read more →Identifying the accomplishments and areas of concern, FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reflects on significant developments in the field in 2020. The main chapter of the report focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 on fundamental rights, while the other chapters focus on: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; equality and non-discrimination; racism, xenophobia, and
Read more →The OECD DAC Civil Society Days 2021 (27 May – 4 June) highlighted the need to increase individual and collective donor efforts to enable civil society’s responses to crises and development needs. It looked for enhanced partnerships to promote sustainable development by respecting, protecting, and promoting civic space; supporting and engaging with civil society; encouraging
Read more →The European Commission’s biannual non-paper on the state of the rule of law in Montenegro and Serbia notes problems on the judicial track record, judiciary independence, and freedom of expression. The report states that the legislative changes for the success of the rule of law reform in Montenegro must be prepared following European standards, best
Read more →In the latest analysis, BCSDN member Civic Initiatives and local media associations urge the Serbian Ministry of Justice to withdraw the Draft Law on Civil Procedure. In a period of SLAPP lawsuits against media, and when private companies close to the authorities are demanding large sums for critical reporting, this Law could lead to the
Read more →In its latest blogpost, ECNL reflects that the COVID-19 has prompted CSOs’ solidarity and coordination. CSOs played a vital role in maintaining governments’ accountable responses, which have heightened the existing challenges to the civil society enabling environment under the pandemic pretext. In the name of public health protection, some European states adopted unbalanced emergency legislative
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